Oral guar gum, a gel-forming dietary fiber relieves pruritus in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Guar gum is a gel-forming fiber, which increases fecal elimination of bile acids. It may therefore be beneficial in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

METHODS:

Forty-eight patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy were randomized double-blind to receive either guar gum or placebo until delivery. Serum bile acid concentration was measured. Pruritus was assessed by both the investigator and the patient.

RESULTS:

At baseline, the intensity of pruritus and the serum bile acid concentration were significantly related. Guar gum diminished or prevented worsening of pruritus, while in the placebo group pruritus was enhanced (p<0.05). In the placebo group serum bile acid concentration increased significantly, whereas in the guar gum group it remained unchanged (p<0.05 between the groups). Guar gum treatment-induced changes of the pruritus score and serum bile acid concentrations were significantly related (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Guar gum relieved the intensity of pruritus without any side effects and prevented the rise in serum bile acid concentration in this placebo-controlled and double-blind study of patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

• Authors: S Riikonen, H Savonius, H Gylling, K Nikkilä, A M Tuomi, T A Miettinen
• Journal: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand) Vol. 79 Issue 4 Pg. 260-4 (Apr 2000) ISSN: 0001-6349 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10746839 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Bile Acids and Salts
• Dietary Fiber
• Galactans
• Mannans
• Plant Gums
• guar gum

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adult
• Bile Acids and Salts (blood)
• Cholestasis, Intrahepatic (complications, etiology)
• Dietary Fiber (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Galactans (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Mannans (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Plant Gums
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications (drug therapy)
• Pruritus (drug therapy, etiology)
• Treatment Outcome