Figure 5.

Low-grade brain edema. Low-grade brain edema was determined by measuring the percentage brain water content in cirrhotic groups (closed bars) and control groups (open bars). Placebo-treated cirrhotic rats showed the presence of low-grade brain edema. Brain water content in rifaximin-treated cirrhotic rats was similar to that in control groups, and was significantly lower to that observed in placebo-treated cirrhotic rats. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 treatment did not diminish brain edema; brain water content in the cirrhosis + IGF-1 group was similar to that observed in the cirrhosis + placebo group. ^aP < 0.05 vs all control groups; ^cP < 0.05 vs cirrhosis + R. Cirr: Cirrhosis; Cont: Control; R: Rifaximin.