In our exploration of new treatment options for diarrhea, we found that combining n-acetylcysteine (NAC) with rifaximin might improve outcomes for patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). The study involved a validated rat model, where we assessed the effects of various combinations of these treatments after inducing IBS-D with a specific toxin.
We observed that when rats were treated with rifaximin alone, their stool consistency and bacterial levels did not significantly improve compared to those that received a placebo. However, those treated with rifaximin combined with NAC showed marked improvements. Their stool consistency normalized, and the levels of harmful bacteria, including E. coli, were significantly reduced.
Furthermore, the combined treatment also led to a normalization of cytokine levels, which are molecules linked to inflammation and diarrhea. This suggests that NAC not only supports the action of rifaximin but may also enhance overall treatment effectiveness for IBS-D. Our findings highlight the promising potential of using NAC alongside rifaximin to better manage diarrhea symptoms in affected patients.
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