The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in patients in the waiting list for liver transplant.

Increased intestinal permeability are related to the major complications of liver cirrhosis. The administration of probiotics has been suggested to improve the barrier function of the mucosa and consequently avoid the complications of the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in patients in the waiting list for liver transplant.

Eighteen patients were treated with Saccharomyces boulardii. Intestinal permeability (lactulose/mannitol ratio) and laboratory parameters were evaluated immediately before the beginning of treatment, after a thirty-day period of treatment with probiotic and at the end of the second study month (after a thirty-day period without treatment with probiotic). Twenty healthy volunteers were also submitted for the intestinal permeability test.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients in the waiting list for liver transplant with viral, alcoholic or cryptogenic cirrhosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients younger than 18 years or older than 65 years.
• patients with renal failure, congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, diabetes and thyroid diseases that interfered with absorption, flux of water and solutes and intestinal motility, in order to avoid interference with the intestinal permeability tests