CARBALIVE

Chronic liver disease is estimated to impact 29 million Europeans and cause 170,000 deaths annually, costing an estimated €15.8bn. Caused predominantly by obesity, alcohol abuse and viral infection, the prevelence of this disease is increasing year on year.

The pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis is linked to changes in gut barrier function and a heightened propensity for translocation of gut-derived endotoxins and inflammatory products from the gut to the liver and systemic circulation. This influences the progression of liver cirrhosis and an increased risk of sepsis. Current therapy involves the use of antibiotics with associated problems of antibiotic resistance. Modulation of bacterial translocation to reduce the complications associated with liver disease remains an unmet clinical need.

The University of Brighton, in collaboration with academic and industrial partners have developed a patented nanoporous activated carbon which targets bacterial products and inflammatory mediators in order to modulate the impact of gut translocation on disease progression. Feasibility studies in animal models of liver disease have demonstrated efficacy and that the device is safe to use.

Within the Carbalive project the safety and efficacy of this novel nanoporous adsorbent will be investigated in patients with fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.