Effect of long-term administration of paromomycin sulfate on the level of serum albumin and gamma-globulin in human cirrhosis.

The efficacy of administration of oral paromomycin sulfate on serum albumin and gamma-globulin levels was studied in cirrhotic patients. After an observation period of 3 months, paromomycin sulfate at 2.0 g per day or a placebo was administered for 6 months, and changes in serum albumin and in gamma-globulin levels were examined every three months. Out of 16 cirrhotic patients treated with paromomycin, 11 (68.8%) showed significant increases in serum albumin compared with one out of 16 in the placebo group. Concerning gamma-globulin, seven (43.8%) patients in the paromomycin group showed significant decreases compared with one in the placebo group. In addition, among the 11 cirrhotics whose endotoxemia decreased after paromomycin administration, eight (72.7%) showed significant increases in albumin level. It was suggested that paromomycin improves the serum albumin and gamma-globulin levels in cirrhosis through the alleviation of endotoxemia caused by intestinal bacteria.