Probiotic LGG for Alcoholic Liver Disease

(AUD+ALD Trial)

Overseen by Vatsalya Vatsalya, MD PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Louisville

Must not be taking: Psychotropics, Naltrexone, Acamprosate, others

Disqualifiers: Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Cancer, others

Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests if taking a probiotic called LGG for several months can help people with heavy drinking and liver damage. The study aims to see if LGG can reduce drinking, improve liver health, and lower inflammation by improving gut health. LGG has been shown to improve intestinal barrier function and alleviate liver injury induced by alcohol consumption in animal models.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you have not been on certain medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, topiramate, or disulfiram for at least one month before starting. Also, if you are currently using psychotropic medications that cannot be stopped, you may not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for alcoholic liver disease?

Research shows that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) can help reduce liver injury and improve liver health in people with alcohol-related liver problems by enhancing the gut barrier and reducing harmful substances in the blood. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) safe for human use?

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is generally considered safe for human use and has been shown to have protective effects on the gut and liver in various studies. It is used as a probiotic, which means it can help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, and has been studied for its benefits in liver health, particularly in conditions related to alcohol use. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

How does the treatment Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG differ from other treatments for alcoholic liver disease?

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is unique because it is a probiotic that helps improve gut health and reduce liver damage by restoring the balance of intestinal bacteria and reducing inflammation. Unlike traditional medications, LGG works by enhancing the intestinal barrier and regulating immune responses, which can help prevent liver injury caused by alcohol. ^{1 3 5 7 8}

Research Team

Craig J McClain, MD

Principal Investigator

Department of Medicine, University of Louisville

Harsh Tiwari, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Louisville

Vatsalya Vatsalya, MD PhD

Principal Investigator

Department of Medicine, University of Louisville

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 21-65 with Alcohol Use Disorder and moderate Alcoholic Hepatitis. Participants must be heavy drinkers, have specific liver enzyme levels, not use drugs other than marijuana, and cannot be at high risk of suicide or on certain psychotropic meds. Pregnant women or those with severe medical conditions like cancer or cirrhosis are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

50 <AST<400 U/L; AST > ALT; and ALT < 200 U/L; total bilirubin > 1.2 mg/dL

Good health as confirmed by medical history, physical examination, ECG, laboratory tests and vital signs except for liver injury and AUD related history

I am not pregnant and am using birth control.

Exclusion Criteria

Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol revised (CIWA-Ar) >10, at screening for more than 3 days

In the investigators' opinion, moderate to severe risk of suicide (e.g., active plan, or recent attempt in last 6 months)

I needed more than 2 blood transfusions due to stomach bleeding in the last 2 weeks.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG or placebo daily for 6 months to treat Alcohol Use Disorder and liver injury in Alcoholic Hepatitis

24 weeks

Monthly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG (Probiotic)
• Placebo for Probiotic (Other)

Trial Overview The study tests if a 6-month course of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG (LGG), a probiotic, is more effective than a placebo in treating liver injury in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcoholic Hepatitis. It also examines the effects on gut-brain axis markers and inflammation.

Participant Groups

Group I: Active Comparator: Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG Active Control 1 Intervention

Dietary supplement capsule (Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG) will be given once daily for 180 days.

Group II: Placebo Comparator: Placebo for Probiotic Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Placebo capsule that matches the probiotic capsule in appearance will be given once daily for 180 days.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Louisville

Lead Sponsor

Trials

353

Recruited

76,400+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Dr. George F. Koob

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Chief Executive Officer since 2014

PhD in Neurobiology from the Scripps Research Institute

Dr. Patricia Powell

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Chief Medical Officer since 2015

MD from an accredited institution

Findings from Research

In a study of 46 individuals with alcohol use disorder and moderate alcohol-associated hepatitis, daily oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) significantly reduced liver injury after just one month of treatment.

After six months of LGG treatment, participants showed a marked decrease in heavy drinking, reaching levels of social drinking or abstinence, indicating potential benefits for both liver health and alcohol consumption behavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Beneficial Effects of Lactobacillus GG Therapy on Liver and Drinking Assessments in Patients with Moderate Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis. Vatsalya, V., Feng, W., Kong, M., et al.[2023]

Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCFM1107 showed significant protective effects against alcoholic liver injury in a mouse model, reducing harmful serum levels of aminotransferase, triglycerides, and cholesterol while increasing antioxidant levels like glutathione.

The study demonstrated that L. rhamnosus CCFM1107 not only mitigated oxidative stress but also restored healthy gut bacteria balance disrupted by alcohol, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention for liver health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCFM1107 treatment ameliorates alcohol-induced liver injury in a mouse model of chronic alcohol feeding. Tian, F., Chi, F., Wang, G., et al.[2022]

In a mouse model of alcohol-induced liver disease, the combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and inosine significantly improved liver health by reducing liver enzymes, inflammation, and restoring gut barrier function compared to LGG alone.

The combined treatment also positively affected the gut microbiome and immune response, increasing regulatory T cells and decreasing Th1 cells, which suggests a comprehensive approach to managing alcohol-induced liver damage.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG combined with inosine ameliorates alcohol-induced liver injury through regulation of intestinal barrier and Treg/Th1 cells. Zhu, Y., Wang, X., Zhu, L., et al.[2022]

In a study involving six healthy volunteers, the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG did not show a statistically significant effect on the conversion of cholic acid to deoxycholic acid, although three participants exhibited a strong response, suggesting variability in individual responses to probiotics.

The findings indicate that individuals with higher baseline production of secondary bile acids may benefit more from probiotic treatment, highlighting the potential for targeted probiotic therapies in future studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Cholic acid metabolism in human fecal cultures during diet supplementation with Lacto-bacillus rhamnosus GG]. Mirasoli, M., Roda, A., Montagnani, M., et al.[2006]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhanced AMPK phosphorylation contributes to the beneficial effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supernatant on chronic-alcohol-induced fatty liver disease. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Beneficial Effects of Lactobacillus GG Therapy on Liver and Drinking Assessments in Patients with Moderate Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis. [2023]

3. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lactobacillus rhamnosus CCFM1107 treatment ameliorates alcohol-induced liver injury in a mouse model of chronic alcohol feeding. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus B10 on alcoholic liver injury and intestinal microbiota in alcohol-induced mice model. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG combined with inosine ameliorates alcohol-induced liver injury through regulation of intestinal barrier and Treg/Th1 cells. [2022]

6. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Prophylactic effect of Lactobacillus GG in animal colitis and its effect on cytokine secretion and mucin gene expressions]. [2017]

7. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Cholic acid metabolism in human fecal cultures during diet supplementation with Lacto-bacillus rhamnosus GG]. [2006]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lactobacillus rhamnosus Granules Dose-Dependently Balance Intestinal Microbiome Disorders and Ameliorate Chronic Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury. [2022]