A new in vitro study has explored the potential of targeting the gut microbiome in people with decompensated advanced chronic liver disease (dACLD), finding that the multi-strain liquid probiotic Symprove improved markers of gut barrier function and inflammation in an advanced laboratory model.
Published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, the study was led by researchers from King's College Hospital, University College London and ProDigest. Using an advanced multi-compartment laboratory model and faecal samples from people with alcohol-related dACLD, the researchers investigated the effects of Symprove on the gut microbiome, intestinal barrier function and inflammatory markers.
The findings build on previous clinical studies of Symprove in other patient populations, including ulcerative colitis and Parkinson's disease, which have also reported improvements in measures of gut health and disease-related outcomes.
Decompensated advanced chronic liver disease is associated with disruption of the gut microbiome, impaired intestinal barrier function and chronic inflammation. As treatment options remain limited once the disease progresses, researchers are increasingly investigating the gut-liver axis as a potential therapeutic target.
Over the 48-hour study, Symprove altered the composition of the gut microbiome and increased production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids, which are considered a key marker of gut health. The researchers also observed improved gut barrier integrity, accelerated epithelial wound healing, increased production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10, and reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory chemokines MCP-1 and IL-8.
Dr Vishal Patel, Consultant Hepatologist at King's College Hospital and Principal Investigator of the study, said: "The gut-liver axis is increasingly recognised as an important area of research in advanced chronic liver disease, where disruption of the gut microbiome, impaired gut barrier function and inflammation are thought to contribute to disease progression. In this laboratory study, we found that Symprove influenced several of these key mechanisms, including the gut microbiome, gut barrier integrity and inflammatory signalling. While these findings now need to be confirmed in clinical trials, they provide encouraging mechanistic evidence to support further investigation of this approach in people with decompensated advanced chronic liver disease."
The full published paper is available in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics (Maxan ME, et al. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2026;693:126678).
About Symprove:
Symprove is the UK's No.1 live and active bacteria supplement*.
Founded in 1986, Symprove has spent decades investing in independent scientific research to help build a better understanding of the gut microbiome and the role it plays in overall health.
Unlike many supplements, Symprove's unique water-based formula is designed to deliver live and active bacteria to the gut, where they can have the greatest impact. It contains four strains of live and active bacteria, is suitable for everyday use and is free from dairy, gluten and artificial additives.
Today, Symprove is available on subscription from symprove.com and at leading UK retailers including Tesco, Boots, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Superdrug, and Holland & Barrett.
For more information, visit www.symprove.com.
For samples or more information, please get in touch with press@symprove.com or call 01252 413 600.
* Source Euromonitor International Ltd; Consumer Health 2026ed., Symprove retail value sales, UK 2025 data
