title: Interaction between rifaximin and dietary fibre in patients with diverticular disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cyclic administration of rifaximin in association with dietary fibre achieves symptomatic relief in uncomplicated diverticular disease (DD) by means of a still undefined mechanism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of a combination of rifaximin and fibre on both hydrogen production by intestinal microflora and oro-anal transit time.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a controlled, double-blind crossover trial, 64 patients with uncomplicated DD were given bran (20 g/day) and randomly treated with rifaximin (1200 mg/day) or a placebo for 14 days. Evaluation was based on clinical status, breath test, oro-anal transit time and faecal weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The global symptomatic score was significantly reduced after rifaximin (7.1 +/- 4.1 to 4.1 +/- 3.3; P < 0.005) but not after placebo (6.8 +/- 3.8 to 6.1 +/- 3.5). Hydrogen production significantly increased after placebo from 198 +/- 134 to 267 +/- 161 ppm/min, while Rifaximin reduced it from 222 +/- 187 to 166 +/- 131 ppm/min (P = 0.05). The total oro-anal transit time decreased from 56.1 +/- 28.2 to 51.3 +/- 28.0 h in placebo and from 54.4 +/- 31.9 to 45.1 +/- 32.4 h (P < 0.05) in rifaximin-treated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of rifamixin improves the benefits of dietary fibre in uncomplicated DD by preventing its bacterial degradation.
authors: Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. dinca@unipd.it
authors: R
authors: R
authors: D'Incà
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Pomerri
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Vettorato
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Dal Pont
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Di Leo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ferronato
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Medici
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Sturniolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001944:Breath Tests; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000078262:Rifaximin
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D012294:Rifamycins; D006859:Hydrogen; D000078262:Rifaximin