 The data in our initial study is very promising. As our patients were compensated cirrhotics with normal intestinal permeability and only mild baseline perturbations in hepatic function parameters INR, bilirubin, albumin and neurohormonal markers aldosterone, renin, it is not surprising that a reduction in portal pressure was not identified. Consistent with previous studies however, these local results confirm the safety and tolerance of both VSL3 as well as portal pressure measurements in cirrhotic patients 20,24,25. 