Rifaximin in Fatty Liver Disease (RiFL)

Imperial College London

Status and phase

Terminated

Phase 4

Conditions

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

NAFLD

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Treatments

Drug: Rifaximin

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT01355575

10/H0711/58 (Other Identifier)

2010-021515-17 (EudraCT Number)

45706 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

TITLE Rifaximin in Fatty Liver Disease (RiFL) DESIGN Open-label pilot study HYPOTHESIS Reduction in gut flora by the antibiotic Rifaximin reduces hepatic inflammation in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).

AIMS To provide proof-of-concept data on the therapeutic potential of gut flora modification in NASH OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary:

• Change in serum ALT from baseline by 25 IU/L or to within normal range after 6 weeks of Rifaximin therapy

Secondary:

Change in intrahepatic triglyceride, estimated by in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS)
Change in hepatic insulin resistance, estimated by the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp
Changes to the faecal bacterial microbiome assessed by faecal DNA pyrosequencing and fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH)
Differences in urinary metabolic profiles as assessed by high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

POPULATION Patients with biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and persistently raised serum aminotransferase levels

TREATMENT The non-absorbable antibiotic Rifaximin DURATION This was an open-label study of Rifaximin (Normix, Alfa Wasserman S.p.A, Bologna, Italy) 400mg twice daily for six weeks followed by a further six weeks observation period during which patients received standard care.

Full description

STUDY OBJECTIVES The primary endpoint was change in ALT after 6 weeks of Rifaximin. Secondary endpoints were change in hepatic lipid content and insulin sensitivity measured with a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp.

STUDY DESIGN This was an open-label study of Rifaximin (Normix, Alfa Wasserman S.p.A, Bologna, Italy) 400mg twice daily for six weeks followed by a further six weeks observation period during which patients received standard care. Compliance with treatment was checked by collection of empty blister packs. Subjects were asked to provide a structured dietary and lifestyle history as previously described (Williams HR, Cox IJ, Walker DG, North BV, Patel VM, Marshall SE, Jewell DP, et al. Characterization of inflammatory bowel disease with urinary metabolic profiling. Am J Gastroenterol 2009;104:1435-1444). The primary endpoint was change in ALT after 6 weeks' Rifaximin therapy. Secondary endpoints were change in hepatic and whole-body insulin sensitivity assessed by the two-stage hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp and change in hepatic triglyceride content assessed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 6 weeks from baseline. Serum ALT, biochemistry and anthropometrics were also measured at 12 weeks to look for longer-term effects. Stool microbiota, urinary metabolic profile and serum cytokine profile were measured before and after intervention.

PARTICIPANT ENTRY

INCLUSION CRITERIA Male and female patients were eligible for inclusion if aged between 18 and 70 years with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis histologically-proven, as evidenced by the presence of all of: steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning and lobular inflammation, and scored according to Kleiner(18) by a single experienced histopathologist (RDG) within the previous year, with or without mild to moderate fibrosis (stage 0-3/4) and with persistently elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values on at least two occasions in the three months prior to recruitment.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA Patients were excluded if there was histological evidence of cirrhosis; hepatic decompensation; regular alcohol consumption exceeding 14 units/week (16g ethanol/day) for a woman or 21 units/week (24g ethanol/day) for a man; evidence of viral, autoimmune or other metabolic liver disease on a chronic liver disease screen; a history of malignancy or systemic inflammatory conditions; myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular events in the preceding 6 months; a history of bariatric surgery, blind loop or short bowel; use of any treatment known or suspected to change bowel flora within 3 months of enrolment; initiation or major dose change of metformin, thiazolinediones, biguanides, statins, fibrates, anti-obesity medications or insulin within 3 months of enrolment.

Enrollment

15 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 70 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Subject has provided written informed consent prior to screening
Men and women aged 18-70 years
With non-alcoholic steatohepatitis histologically-proven, as evidenced by the presence of all of: steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning and lobular inflammation, and scored according to Kleiner(18) by a single experienced histopathologist (RDG) within the previous year, with or without mild to moderate fibrosis (stage 0-3/4)
With persistently elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values on at least two occasions in the three months prior to recruitment

Exclusion criteria

NAFLD with cirrhosis (fibrosis score 4)
Other causes of chronic liver disease
- Viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV negative)
- Alcohol intake >14units/week (women) or >21units/week (men)
- Haemachromatosis (abnormal transferrin saturation, haemochromatosis genotyping)
Evidence of hepatic decompensation
- Ascites
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Abnormal total bilirubin (except patients with Gilbert's syndrome), albumin, prolonged prothrombin time, low platelets)
- Oesophageal or gastric varices
Moderate or severe renal dysfunction (CKD3+, estimated GFR <60ml/min/1.73m2)
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Primary metabolic causes of hepatic steatosis (e.g. familial hypertriglyceridaemia, abetalipoproteinaemia)
Other malignancy
Pregnant or lactating women or women of childbearing potential unwilling/unable to use adequate contraceptive methods
Systemic inflammatory conditions
- Arthritis
- Connective tissue disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Myocardial infarction within 6 months
Stroke within 6 months
Bariatric surgery/ blind loop/ short bowel
Treatment known/suspected to change gut flora (e.g. systemic antibiotics, colestyramine, lactulose, polyethylene glycol) within 3 months
Treatment with drugs known to cause hepatic steatosis (e.g. corticosteroids, HAART, amiodarone, high dose oestrogens, tamoxifen) within 3 months
Initiation or major dose change of metformin, thiazolidinediones, biguanides, statins, fibrates, anti-obesity medications or insulin within 3 months of enrolment
Patients with allergy to Rifaximin or Rifamycin
Patients with a cardiac pacemaker, history of penetrating eye injury, metal foreign body or any other contra-indication to MRI scanning, as specified in the local MRI safety checklist
Any other clinical, social or psychological issues which, in the opinion of the investigators may preclude satisfactory completion of the study protocol