A double blind randomized controlled trial to assess efficacy of nutritional therapy for prevention of recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis

Hepatic encephalopathy in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is traditionally associated with hepatic parenchymal diseases, such as acute liver failure and cirrhosis. Its prevalence in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) patients, extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO), and non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) is less well described. HE in NCPH allows one to study the effect of portosystemic shunting and ammonia without significant hepatic parenchymal injury. The current review narrates the spectrum and management of hepatic encephalopathy in NCPH patients. We synthesized data from various studies on the occurrence and management of HE in NCPH, mainly EHPVO, idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH), and porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD). The prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in NCPH is reported from 12 to 60%, depending on the condition and diagnostic criteria. MHE was reported in nearly a third of EHPVO patients. Studies show that venous ammonia levels are significantly elevated in patients with MHE and spontaneous shunts (82.4 ± 20.3 vs. 47.1 ± 16.7 µmol/L, P = 0.001). Large portosystemic shunts substantially increase the risk of HE, with 46-71% of patients with persistent or recurrent HE having identifiable shunts. Management of HE in NCPH primarily focuses on reducing ammonia levels through lactulose, which has shown improvement in 53% of patients with MHE after three months (P = 0.001). Shunt occlusion in patients with large portosystemic shunts is helpful in selected cases. HE in NCPH, particularly in EHPVO, is associated with elevated ammonia levels and spontaneous shunts. Despite the high prevalence of HE in NCPH, this is still a neglected aspect in the care of NCPH. A high index of suspicion and the application of appropriate screening tools are crucial for timely diagnosis and management. HE screening tools that are well-studied in cirrhosis, are also valid in NCPH. Effective management strategies include lactulose, rifaximin, dietary modifications, and shunt embolisation in some cases. Future research should focus on the long-term natural history and efficacy of treatment strategies in this population.

Hepatic encephalopathy: experimental drugs in development and therapeutic potential

INTRODUCTION

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) presents a complex pathophysiology, creating multiple potential treatment avenues. This review covers current and emerging treatments for HE.

AREAS COVERED

Standard therapies, including non-absorbable disaccharides and rifaximin, are widely used but show inconsistent efficacy. Alternatives such as polyethylene glycol and L-ornithine L-aspartate have been effective in certain cases. Advancements in understanding HE reveal a growing need for personalized treatments. Novel approaches targeting immune modulation and neuroinflammation are under investigation, though clinical translation is slow. Nutritional interventions and fecal microbiota transplantation show potential but lack robust evidence. Innovative therapies like gene and cell therapies, as well as extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells, present promising avenues for liver disease treatment, potentially benefiting HE.

EXPERT OPINION

A key challenge in HE research is the design of randomized clinical trials, which often suffer from small sample sizes, heterogeneity in patient population, and inconsistent blinding. Additionally, the multifactorial nature of HE, together with a high spontaneous response rate, complicates efforts to isolate treatment effects. Despite current limitations, ongoing research and technological advances hold promise for more effective and individualized HE treatments in the future.

Prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy: current and future drug targets

Hepatic encephalopathy is described by a broad spectrum of neurological and psychiatric aberrations resulting due to advanced liver dysfunction. It is a neurological disorder due to hepatic insufficiency and/or portosystemic shunts. Its clinical presentation includes neuropsychiatric dysfunction ranging from subclinical changes to comatose state. It is a sign of poor prognosis in cirrhotics with a high 1-year mortality. Each episode of hepatic encephalopathy leads to high hospitalization rate, poor prognosis and raised burden of healthcare. Primary prophylaxis is prevention of initial occurrence and secondary prophylaxis is prevention of reappearance of hepatic encephalopathy in subjects who had prior history. Early detection and management of triggers is very important in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. The initial choice of treatment is still lactulose, as it is effective in minimal, overt, and recurrent hepatic encephalopathy. Rifaximin is equally effective as lactulose in managing hepatic encephalopathy and is better tolerated. Branch chain amino acids are beneficial in subjects who are protein intolerant. L-ornithine L-aspartate and probiotics are also useful in the management of hepatic encephalopathy. Rifaximin along with lactulose is effective in managing overt and recurrent hepatic encephalopathy. Large portosystemic shunts embolization and liver transplant is efficacious in certain group of patients. Nutritional therapy and fecal microbiota transplantation are newer therapies for hepatic encephalopathy but the evidences are limited, more research is required to prove their efficacy. Involvement of hospital pharmacists, telemedicine, and providing education are also beneficial in managing hepatic encephalopathy.

Nutritional therapy for persistent cognitive impairment after resolution of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) reflects cognitive impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis and is associated with poor prognosis. We assessed the effects of nutritional therapy on cognitive functions, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), anthropometry, endotoxins, and inflammatory markers in cirrhotic patients with MHE.

METHODS

In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, cirrhotic patients with MHE were randomized to nutritional therapy (group I: 30-35 kcal/kg/day and 1.0-1.5 g of protein/kg/day) and no nutritional therapy (group II: diet as patients were taking before) for 6 months. MHE was diagnosed based on psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES). Anthropometry, ammonia, endotoxins, inflammatory markers, myostatin, and HRQOL were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. Primary endpoints were improvement or worsening in MHE and HRQOL.

RESULTS

A total of 150 patients were randomized to group I (n = 75, age 46.3 ± 12.5 years, 58 men) and group II (n = 75, age 45.2 ± 9.3 years, 56 men). Baseline PHES (-8.16 ± 1.42 vs -8.24 ± 1.43; P = 0.54) was comparable in both groups. Reversal of MHE was higher in group I (73.2% vs 21.4%; P = 0.001) than group II. Improvement in PHES (Δ PHES 4.0 ± 0.60 vs -4.18 ± 0.40; P = 0.001), HRQOL (Δ Sickness Impact Profile 3.24 ± 3.63 vs 0.54 ± 3.58; P = 0.001), anthropometry, ammonia, endotoxins, cytokines, and myostatin levels was also significantly higher in group I than group II. Overt hepatic encephalopathy developed in 6 patients in group I and 13 in group II (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional therapy is effective in treatment of MHE and associated with improvement in nutritional status, HRQOL, ammonia, endotoxins, inflammatory markers, and myostatin levels.