Background and study aim: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may contribute to the development of gut dysbiosis and increased risk of developing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with liver cirrhosis. As a result, it's essential to study the deleterious effect of prolonged use of PPIs on the gut homeostasis in decompensated cirrhosis. The aim of our study was to measure the levels of intestinal fatty acid binding protein 2 (I-FABP2) in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients. Moreover, its relationship with chronic use of PPIs in decompensated patients.
Patients and Methods: The study was performed on 75 candidates. They were categorized into 3 groups (30 patients with compensated cirrhosis, 30 patients with decompensated cirrhosis who were subdivided into 15 patients with chronic use of PPIs and 15 patients without chronic use of PPIs) as well as 15 healthy controls. Plasma IFABP2 level was measured in all patients and healthy controls.
Results: IFABP2 was higher significantly in patients with decompensated cirrhosis than in patients with compensated cirrhosis and healthy controls; however, no significant difference was detected between compensated cirrhosis patients and healthy controls. A significant positive correlation was present between IFABP2 with Child-Pugh score (CTP). IFABP2 levels were significantly higher in chronic users of PPIs than non-chronic users of PPIs and control group. No significant correlation was detected between the plasma level of IFABP2 and dose and duration of PPIs.
Conclusion: IFABP2 increased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and correlated with Child-Pugh score. Moreover, it increased in decompensated cirrhotic patients with chronic use of PPIs.