Sex is associated with differences in gut microbial composition and function in hepatic encephalopathy.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Altered microbiota can affect the gut-liver-brain axis in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but the impact of sex on these changes is unclear. We aimed to determine differences in fecal microbiota composition/functionality between men and women with cirrhosis and HE on differing treatments.

Methods

Cross-sectional stool microbiome composition (16s rRNA sequencing) and microbial functional analyses were performed in men and women with cirrhosis, and controls. Patients with HE on rifaximin+lactulose (HE-Rif), patients with HE on lactulose only (HE-Lac) and those with cirrhosis without HE (No-HE) were compared to controls using random forest classifier. Men and women were also compared.

Results

A total of 761 individuals were included, 619 with

SUBMITTER: Saboo K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7749850 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature