Researchers at UCL have developed innovative carbon beads that have the potential to become a new method for treating diseases related to poor gut health, such as liver cirrhosis. These beads, designed to absorb harmful bacteria and toxins, have shown promising results in improving gut, liver, kidney, and brain health in animal models. The study, published in Gut, indicates that these beads, now licensed to UCL-spinout Yaqrit, have the potential for human application after further research and testing.
Globally, liver cirrhosis affects approximately 112 million individuals, with the role of gut microbiota in overall health now being recognized. An imbalance in the microbiota can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which release toxins that can impact other organs. In cases of cirrhosis, endotoxin-induced inflammation worsens liver damage. Antibiotics are commonly used to manage harmful bacteria but pose risks of antibiotic resistance. To address these challenges, UCL researchers have developed tiny oral carbon beads that can absorb harmful metabolites.
The carbon beads, branded as Carbalive™, have shown promising results in animal models, halting the advancement of liver scarring and injury in cirrhosis and decreasing mortality in those with acute-on-chronic liver failure. A clinical trial involving 28 cirrhosis patients found that the beads were safe and caused minimal side effects. These beads work by absorbing toxins from harmful bacteria, creating a healthier environment for beneficial bacteria to thrive, thereby restoring gut health. Additional clinical trials will further assess the efficacy of these beads in humans.
Experts not involved in the research have noted the promising potential of the carbon beads in preventing liver damage and complications in cirrhosis patients. Unlike antibiotics, which can disrupt the gut microbiome, the carbon beads selectively remove harmful bacterial products while preserving beneficial bacteria, protecting against the damaging effects of bacterial toxins. Further clinical trials supporting the use of these beads in humans may lead to approval for a novel treatment for gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and progression of liver disease. The safety data and promising results in animals provide a strong foundation for moving forward with larger clinical trials to test effectiveness.
Clinical trials demonstrated the safety and tolerability of the carbon beads when taken orally by cirrhosis patients. The results in animal studies have shown improvements in gut, liver, brain, and kidney health, suggesting the potential for preventing serious complications in cirrhosis patients. Further research will determine whether these benefits translate to humans, potentially providing a targeted, microbiome-sparing treatment option for cirrhosis patients. The results of the initial studies have paved the way for additional clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of these carbon beads in humans, offering hope for new treatments for diseases linked to poor gut health.
