Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Rifaximin with partially hydrolysed guar gum

This research uses an interesting idea. The authors reason that PHGG as a prebiotic SF works as follows

"Thus, we have hypothesized that adding a prebiotic such as partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) to rifaximin can be of help in the decontamination of small bowel. In fact, it can have a beneficial effect on intestinal motility and therefore a synergic interaction between rifaximin and PHGG may lead to a higher eradication rate of SIBO. The primary end point of our study was to assess whether the combination of rifaximin with PHGG is more effective than Rifaximin alone in eradicating SIBO, whereas the secondary end point was to evaluate whether the combined treatment obtains a greater symptomatic improvement than rifaximin alone."

PHGG is know to increase colonic concentration of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. The PHGG a prebiotic SF may improve intestinal motility and have a prebiotic effect that promotes the growth of natural colon flora. They conclude "Therefore, the prebiotic effect of PHGG is likely to provide a synergistic action with rifaximin inside the bowel lumen, by improving intestinal clearance and favouring the microflora balance."

It will be interesting to see if this idea gains traction in clinical practice.

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