New concepts on intestinal microbiota and the role of the non-absorbable antibiotics with special reference to rifaximin in digestive diseases

Dig Liver Dis. 2018 Aug;50(8):741-749. doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2018.04.020. Epub 2018 Apr 27.

Abstract

Digestive diseases are a broad range of chronic disorders that substantially and negatively impact the patients' quality of life. Here, we review our current understanding on the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticular disease, with a special focus on the gut microbiota composition associated with these disorders. Furthermore, we review the current clinical practice for their therapeutic treatments, including probiotics, diet change, non-adsorbable disaccharides, and antibiotics. We highlight that broad-spectrum non-adsorbable antibiotics, such as rifaximin, are quite effective and safe for the treatment of all essayed digestive diseases.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Gut microenvironment; Therapeutic treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diverticular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Diverticular Diseases / microbiology*
  • Diverticular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / drug therapy
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / microbiology*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / microbiology*
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Rifamycins / therapeutic use
  • Rifaximin

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Rifamycins
  • Rifaximin