Capsules of fecal transplants, called crapsules, are set to undergo trials as doctors are actively looking for volunteers. The researchers are hopeful that this novel treatment will be effective in treating liver cirrhosis patients.
Liver Cirrhosis
According to Yahoo! Finance, patients dealing with end-stage chronic liver cirrhosis have a higher number of bad bacteria within their bowels. Because of this, they become vulnerable to several infections. Antibiotic-resistant superbugs can also infect their bowels.
These individuals typically receive liver transplants as treatments. However, these procedures cannot be safely conducted if the patient is found to have a superbug or antimicrobial resistant infection.
King's College London researchers have found out that healthy bacteria from healthy volunteers can replace the the bad bowel bacteria in liver cirrhosis patients. To do so, a process known as fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) must be conducted.
MailOnline reports that, earlier, researchers revealed the results of a small study, dubbed Profit, at a conference held in Vienna. The study covered 32 people who underwent FMT. Patients dealing with advanced liver cirrhosis had the poo transplant transported to their tummies through a tube down their nose.
Three months later, the researchers observed that good bacteria levels in the gut went up while the gut barrier became stronger. They also noted that the volunteer participants had less ammonia present in their blood.
Now, the same KCL team has devised a "crapsule" containing the stool donated by healthy volunteers. Through this trial, dubbed Promise, they hope to expand their findings.
Crapsules: Pills of Poop For Liver Treatment
According to the New York Post, these capsules contain freeze-dried poop that was donated by someone. Most essentially, these contain microorganisms necessary for a digestive system that is healthy.
Debbie Shawcross, a researcher from King's College London, explains that these crapsules, which do not smell or taste the way their name suggests, could offer hope to liver cirrhosis patients who are left with no options.
The trial will cover 300 patients from 16 areas across the country. As part of the study, the participants will either receive placebo treatments or the fecal crapsules every three months for the next two years. Unlike the earlier trial, patients do not need to go through invasive endoscopy.
Dr. Lindsey Edwards from KCL explains that if the immunity of liver patients can be boosted to decrease infections by adjusting the microbiome, the need for prescription antibiotics can also be reduced. This could, in turn, reduce antimicrobial resistance incidences.
Pamela Healy, the British Liver Trusts' chief executive, explains that this trial could be life-changing for liver cirrhosis patients.
MailOnline adds that this poop therapy will also be examined to see if it affects obesity and diabetes.
RELATED ARTICLE : Human Liver Cell Remains Under 3 Years Old Regardless of a Person's Age, Study Reveals
Check out more news and information on Medicine and Health in Science Times.
