Carbon Bead Therapy Shows Potential for Liver Cirrhosis Management

A recent study published in the Gut highlights that specific carbon beads licensed to UCL- spinout Yaqrit, successfully improved Gut, liver, kidney, and brain health in rats and mice and were deemed safe for human application. Studies say that approximately 112 million people across the world are living with liver cirrhosis. An imbalance in the microbiota can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, impacting the bacteria that benefit and maintain gut health. 

Numerous harmful bacteria impact the Gut by secreting endotoxins, harmful metabolites, and cytokines, creating favorable conditions for their growth. Such substances known as endotoxins can provoke inflammation and increase the gut wall’s permeability, leading to damage within other organs like the liver, kidneys, and brain. In the case of cirrhosis disease marked by liver scarring, endotoxin-induced inflammation is known to worsen liver damage. 

Antibiotics are a standard part of cirrhosis treatment to manage harmful bacteria but pose risks of antibiotic resistance and are typically reserved for advanced stages of the disease. To address such challenges, UCL researchers have developed tiny oral carbon beads. These beads are engineered with a unique microplastic structure that enables them to absorb both large and small molecules within the Gut. In other studies, UCL researchers examined the efficacy of carbon beads, branded as Carbalive, in promoting gut health and their effects on liver, kidney, and brain function in rats and mice. 

The findings indicated that daily ingestion of the beads over several weeks halted the advancement of liver scarring and injury in animal models with cirrhosis and decreased mortality in those with acute-on-chronic liver failure. The beads were also evaluated in a clinical trial involving 28 patients with cirrhosis. The researchers found that the beads were safe and had minimal side effects. If these beads demonstrate the same benefits in humans as animal models, they might effectively treat liver disease. 

The beads absorb endotoxins and other harmful metabolites from bad bacteria within the Gut. This action supports a healthier environment for beneficial bacteria to thrive, thereby helping restore the microbiome’s health. As observed in conditions like cirrhosis, the beads prevent these toxins from spreading to other body parts. The results from the initial studies have paved the way for additional clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of the carbon beads in humans, with one such trial set to begin shortly. Unlike antibiotics, which disrupt gut microbiomes and promote drug resistance, this treatment selectively removes harmful bacterial products without killing the beneficial bacteria. This targeted mechanism protects against the damaging effects of bacterial toxins while preserving the health of the Gut.