Study of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) Gene Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world. Dickkopf -1 (DKK-1) protein is a new biomarker used in conjunction with Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) to differentiate HCC from "non-malignant" liver disease. DKK-1 is an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway which is involved in embryogenesis and has been implicated in tumorigenesis in many tissues.

AIM

To investigate the level of DKK-1 gene expression in the peripheral blood of patients with HCC who had a history of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and schistosomal infections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This "cross-sectional" study was carried out in the Tropical Medicine Department of Tanta University Hospital on 50 patients with HCC and 10 healthy volunteers served as control. All patients were tested for HCV antibodies and "anti-schistosomal" antibodies. All groups were tested for DKK-1 gene expression which was measured with quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

DKK-1 gene was over-expressed in HCC patients than in the control group with mean 3.269±4.762 versus 1.00 in controls (p< 0.005). "Over- expression" of DKK-1 was found in: 8/20 of patients with negative serology for both infections (40%; p<0.001), 7/18 of patients with positive anti-HCV antibodies (38.89%; p<0.001) and 11/12 of patients with positive anti-schistosomal antibodies (91.66%; p<0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between DKK-1 expression and HCV infection (p=0.139) but there was significant correlation between the gene expression and schistosomal infection (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest the role of DKK-1 over-expression in HCC development in patients with combined HCV and schistosomal infections and that induction of the Wnt pathway or using DKK-1 antagonist may represent a key advance in the area of genetic prevention of HCC in these "high-risk" patients.

Safety and Efficacy of Rifaximin in Prophylaxis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

AIM

The role of rifaximin in the prevention of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) is not well studied. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the role of rifaximin in the prevention of SBP.

METHODS

A computerized literature search for relevant clinical trials was conducted during August 2017. Data on Frequency of SBP, the success rate of prevention of SBP, mortality rate, hepatorenal syndrome, septic shock, hepatic encephalopathy, and GIT bleeding were extracted and pooled as Risk Ratio (RR) with their 95% Confidence Interval (CI) in a meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity was assessed by Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Six studies involving 973 patients were included in the final analysis. The pooled effect estimate showed that the rifaximin plus norfloxacin group had less incidence of SBP (RR 0.58, 95% CI[0.37, 0.92], P=0.02) and hepatic encephalopathy (RR 0.38, 95% CI[0.17, 0.84], P=0.02) than the norfloxacin-based regimen group. No significant difference between rifaximin and norfloxacin in terms of frequency of SBP and success rate of primary prevention of SBP (RR 0.49, 95% CI [0.24, 1.01], P=0.05; RR1.21, 95% CI [0.95, 1.55], P=0.13, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Based on our analysis, Rifaximin is a promising drug and appears to be a good alternative to norfloxacin in the prevention of SBP.

Predicting Esophageal Varices in Cirrhotic Hepatitis C Virus Patients Using Noninvasive Measurement of Insulin Resistance Variables

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Esophageal varices (EV) are a major complication of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. Screening is essential for all patients with cirrhosis. Performing non-invasive methods for screening is a cost-effective and time-saving measure. The aim of this work is to evaluate whether insulin resistance (IR) assessed by HOMA-IR score can predict the presence of EV or not.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried out on sixty Egyptian cirrhotic HCV patients divided into 3 groups: Group I: 20 cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices, Group II: 20 cirrhotic patients, with small esophageal varices and Group III: 20 cirrhotic patients with large esophageal varices. Fasting insulin level was measured and HOMA- IR score was calculated. Abdominal ultrasound and Fibroscan were done to all patients.

RESULTS

Insulin resistance assessed by HOMA -IR score showed a statistically significant difference among the three groups (P<0.001) with a cutoff value equal to or more than 3.40. It could significantly predict EV (AUROC= 0.841) with high sensitivity of 75 %, and excellent specificity 80%. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with a cutoff value 40.95 kPa could significantly predict EV (AUROC= 0.629) with sensitivity 75 %, specificity 50 %.

CONCLUSION

HOMA-IR score is a new independent predictor of the presence of EV.

Heat shock protein 47 as indispensible participant in liver fibrosis: Possible protective effect of lactoferrin

Lactoferrin (LF) was previously suggested to have a protective effect against liver fibrosis by preventing hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. The effect of LF on heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) has not yet been studied so this study was designed to investigate LF effect on HSP47 as a potential target for management of liver fibrosis and comparing it with silymarin (SM) in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis model. Rats were divided into four groups; normal control, TAA (TAA-treated), LF (LF + TAA-treated), and SM (SM + TAA-treated). After 6 weeks, both LF and SM improved the grade of cirrhosis, reduced collagen fibers deposition, inactivated HSCs, significantly decreased elevated liver enzymes, HSP47, hydroxyproline content, transforming growth factor-beta 1, matrix metalloproteinase-2, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide levels and the percentage of alpha smooth muscle actin positive HSCs compared with TAA group. Moreover, LF significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity compared with TAA group. It could be concluded that LF is a promising antifibrotic drug and could be considered as one of the HSP47 inhibitors but SM is still more potent. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(8):795-805, 2018.

Pilot study of orphenadrine as a novel treatment for muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Muscle cramps markedly affect the quality of life in cirrhotic patients with no available highly effective treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of orphenadrine in the treatment of muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

The study enrolled 30 liver cirrhosis patients complaining of frequent muscle cramps (≥3 per week), who were randomized to receive either orphenadrine 100 mg or calcium carbonate 500 mg twice daily as a control for one month. Severity, frequency, and duration of the muscle cramps were assessed before and after treatment as well as recurrence after washout of the drug for two weeks. Side effects were recorded.

RESULTS

One month after treatment with orphenadrine; the frequency of muscle cramps decreased significantly to 0.6 ± 0.74 per week compared to 12.53 ± 6.01 at baseline (p < 0.001), the duration of muscle cramps decreased from 1 min to 0.1 min after treatment (p < 0.001). The pain score improved significantly from a score of 8/10 to 0/10 (p < 0.001). The side effects were few, such as dry mouth, drowsiness, and nausea, with no significant difference between their occurrences in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Orphenadrine is safe and effective in treatment of muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis.

The burden of metabolic risk factors in North Africa and the Middle East, 1990-2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study is to investigate the trends of exposure and burden attributable to the four main metabolic risk factors, including high systolic blood pressure (SBP), high fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high body-mass index (BMI), and high low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL) in North Africa and the Middle East from 1990 to 2019.

METHODS

The data were retrieved from Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Summary exposure value (SEV) was used for risk factor exposure. Burden attributable to each risk factor was incorporated in the population attributable fraction to estimate the total attributable deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs).

FINDINGS

While age-standardized death rate (ASDR) attributable to high-LDL and high-SBP decreased by 26.5% (18.6-35.2) and 23.4% (15.9-31.5) over 1990-2019, respectively, high-BMI with 5.1% (-9.0-25.9) and high-FPG with 21.4% (7.0-37.4) change, grew in ASDR. Moreover, age-standardized DALY rate attributed to high-LDL and high-SBP declined by 30.2% (20.9-39.0) and 25.2% (16.8-33.9), respectively. The attributable age-standardized DALY rate of high-BMI with 8.3% (-6.5-28.8) and high-FPG with 27.0% (14.3-40.8) increase, had a growing trend. Age-standardized SEVs of high-FPG, high-BMI, high-SBP, and high-LDL increased by 92.4% (82.8-103.3), 76.0% (58.9-99.3), 10.4% (3.8-18.0), and 5.5% (4.3-7.1), respectively.

INTERPRETATION

The burden attributed to high-SBP and high-LDL decreased during the 1990-2019 period in the region, while the attributable burden of high-FPG and high-BMI increased. Alarmingly, exposure to all four risk factors increased in the past three decades. There has been significant heterogeneity among the countries in the region regarding the trends of exposure and attributable burden. Urgent action is required at the individual, community, and national levels in terms of introducing effective strategies for prevention and treatment that account for local and socioeconomic factors.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

RETRACTED: Remdesivir Efficacy in COVID-19 Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

RETRACTED ARTICLE: To date, no antiviral therapy has shown proven clinical effectiveness in treating patients with COVID-19. We assessed the efficacy of remdesivir in hospitalized Egyptian patients with COVID-19. Patients were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive either remdesivir (200 mg on the first day followed by 100 mg daily for the next 9 days intravenously infused over 30-60 minutes) in addition to standard care or standard care alone. The primary outcomes were the length of hospital stay and mortality rate. The need for mechanical ventilation was assessed as a secondary outcome. Two hundred patients (100 in each group) completed the study and were included in the final analysis. The remdesivir group showed a significantly lower median duration of hospital stay (10 days) than the control group (16 days; P < 0.001). Eleven of the patients in the remdesivir group needed mechanical ventilation compared with eight patients in the control group (P = 0.469). The mortality rate was comparable between the two groups (P = 0.602). Mortality was significantly associated with older age, elevated C-reactive protein levels, elevated D-dimer, and the need for mechanical ventilation (P = 0.039, 0.003, 0.001, and < 0.001 respectively). Remdesivir had a positive influence on length of hospital stay, but it had no mortality benefit in Egyptian patients with COVID-19. Its use, in addition to standard care including dexamethasone, should be considered, particularly in low- and middle-income countries when other effective options are scarce.

Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Clinical Manifestations: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic health problem that causes a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and considerable mortality rates. Unfortunately, recovered patients who survive COVID-19 may continue to report a wide variety of clinical manifestations of multisystem affection such as pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction, depression, anxiety, myalgia, dyspnea, and fatigue.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to summarize the current literature regarding the prevalence of post-COVID- 19 manifestations.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of post-COVID-19 manifestations by searching MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), EBSCO, Wily, and World health organization (WHO) databases. Screening, study selection, data extraction, data synthesis, and quality assessment were made by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Of 1,371 references, 817 references remained after removing duplicates. Reviews, case reports, commentaries, and any article containing non-original information were excluded. According to the eligibility criteria for this systematic review, 12 studies were included for qualitative synthesis. The overall prevalence of post-COVID-19 manifestations ranged from 35% to 90.5%. Fatigue, dyspnea, neuropsychological disorders, and pain were the most frequent post-COVID-19 symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review showed that 35% to 90.5% of recovered patients who survive COVID-19 continue to have a wide variety of clinical manifestations, including fatigue, dyspnea, neuropsychological disorders, and pain as the most frequent post-COVID-19 symptoms.

HCV and HEV: two players in an Egyptian village, a study of prevalence, incidence, and co-infection

The highest recorded hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence worldwide is in Egypt. A high prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in chronic liver disease has been reported. The aim of this study was to study prevalence, incidence, and outcome of HCV infection in an Egyptian Nile Delta village and the relation between HEV infection and HCV-related chronic hepatic affection. This prospective cohort study included 2085 Nagreej village residents. Mass HCV screening was conducted and testing for HEV antibodies among HCV-infected patients performed. The annual incidence of HCV was recorded. Five hundred five (24.22%) of the tested villagers were positive for HCV RNA. Prevalence escalated with age and male sex. The main recorded risk factors were a history of surgery, dental procedures, hospitalization, blood transfusion, and antischistosomal treatment. HEV IgG antibody was positive in 71.4% of individuals with chronic HCV and 96.1% with advanced liver disease (cirrhosis ± hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)). After 1 year, 29 of the 1390 HCV Ab negative villagers had a positive HCV PCR, placing an annual incidence of new HCV infections at 2.09%. The Egyptian HCV prevalence remains high with infection particularly among the elderly. The annual incidence in a small Nile Delta village is 2.086%. HCV-HEV co-infection may lead to a worse prognosis among Egyptians with chronic liver disease.

Helicobacter pylori may be an initiating factor in newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis patients: A pilot study

AIM

To directly visualize Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) by the highly sensitive and specific technique of immunohistochemical staining in colonic tissue from patients newly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

Colonoscopic biopsies from thirty patients with newly diagnosed UC and thirty controls were stained with Giemsa stain and immunohistochemical stain for detection of H. pylori in the colonic tissue. Results were confirmed by testing H. pylori Ag in the stool then infected patients were randomized to receive either anti H. pylori treatment or placebo.

RESULTS

Twelve/30 (40%) of the UC patients were positive for H. pylori by Giemsa, and 17/30 (56.6%) by immunohistochemistry stain. Among the control group 4/30 (13.3%) and 6/30 (20 %) were positive for H. pylori by Giemsa and immunohistochemistry staining respectively. H. pylori was significantly higher in UC than in controls (P = 0.04 and 0.007). All Giemsa positive patients and controls were positive by immunohistochemical stain. Four cases of the control group positive for H. pylori also showed microscopic features consistent with early UC.

CONCLUSION

H. pylori can be detected in colonic mucosa of patients with UC and patients with histological superficial ulcerations and mild infiltration consistent with early UC. There seems to be an association between UC and presence of H. pylori in the colonic tissue. Whether this is a causal relationship or not remains to be discovered.

Rescue therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection after repeated treatment failures: Impact on disease progression and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM

Retreatment after previous failure of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a challenging decision. The importance of achieving viral eradication on modification of disease progression and outcome, including the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains a critical issue to be evaluated.

METHODS

One hundred patients with repeated failure of sofosbuvir and ribavirin or triple therapy with sofosbuvir, ribavirin, and daclatasvir were divided into a study group (n = 50) given rescue therapy (sofosbuvir, daclatasvir, simeprevir, and ribavirin) or a control group (n = 50) matched for age, sex, and pretreatment variables (Child-Turcotte-Pugh score and Fibrosis-4 score). Follow-up was undertaken after the last non-response to detect serious adverse events, such as hepatic decompensation and development of HCC.

RESULTS

The study group achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) in 47 of 50 (94%) patients. The control group had significantly higher HCC rates than the study group (7 vs. 1 patients), with an odds ratio of 5.44. The rescue therapy was associated with significantly longer time to the occurrence of adverse events. Repeated treatment failures were associated with progression of FibroScan values in the control group (21 ± 4.5 vs. 10 ± 1.5 kPa, P = 0.001); achieving SVR in the study group stopped fibrosis progression despite non-significant increase from baseline (13.2 ± 3.2 vs. 10.6 ± 0.6, P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Rescue treatment for HCV infection was highly effective in achieving SVR, less expensive than the newer agents, and is associated with diminished risk of serious adverse events, mainly HCC in these patients.

Metformin ameliorated methotrexate-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats in addition to its antitumor activity: two birds with one stone

Methotrexate (MTX) is a drug used in treatment of various malignancies. Unfortunately, it leads to life-threatening complications including hepatorenal toxicity. Previous studies revealed the protective effects of metformin (MET) on hepatorenal toxicity in other models in addition to its anticancer effects. The current study investigates the effect of MET on MTX-induced hepatorenal toxicity and the possible mechanisms involved in this toxicity which can be overwhelmed by MET. Thirty male rats were divided into 3 groups: normal control, MTX treated and MET/MTX treated. After 7 days, MTX induced hepatorenal toxicity as proved by histological examinations and biochemical analysis of liver and kidney functions. Also, it led to significant increase in hepatic and renal malondialdehyde levels, significant decrease in hepatic and renal total antioxidant capacity levels and Na+/K+-ATPase activities and significant up regulation of mRNA expressions of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, cyclooxygenase-2 and caspase 3 compared with the control group. While, MET could significantly reduce hepatorenal toxicity and counteract the effects of MTX on all measured parameters. In conclusion, MET can be an effective adjuvant to MTX chemotherapy that could ameliorate its hepatorenal toxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.

Challenges in COVID-19 drug treatment in patients with advanced liver diseases: A hepatology perspective

The global incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to increase despite health care efforts. The disease is caused by coronavirus 2 with high transmission and mortality rates. Little is known about the management of COVID-19 in advanced liver disease. The aim of work was to propose a plan for management of this drastic disease in case of this specific population with review of medications that could be suitable for advanced liver disease. All the guidelines and medications available for treatment of COVID-19 were reviewed with selection of the less toxic medications that could be used in advanced liver disease. Drugs suitable to manage COVID-19 in patients with liver disease might include remdesivir intravenously, nitazoxanide + sofosbuvir, ivermectin, tocilizumab, convalescent plasma, and low molecular weight heparin in certain situations. Advanced liver disease is associated with portal hypertension and splenomegaly with reduction of blood elements and immune dysfunction and impaired T cell function. Thus, when confronted by cytokine storm as an immune response to COVID-19, there may be an increase in the mortality rate of these patients. Through this review, a plan to treat COVID-19 in this special group of patients with advanced cirrhosis is proposed.

The ChoCO-W prospective observational global study: Does COVID-19 increase gangrenous cholecystitis?

BACKGROUND

The incidence of the highly morbid and potentially lethal gangrenous cholecystitis was reportedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the ChoCO-W study was to compare the clinical findings and outcomes of acute cholecystitis in patients who had COVID-19 disease with those who did not.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected over 6 months (October 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021) with 1-month follow-up. In October 2020, Delta variant of SARS CoV-2 was isolated for the first time. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed and reported according to the STROBE guidelines. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients who had COVID-19 were compared with those who did not.

RESULTS

A total of 2893 patients, from 42 countries, 218 centers, involved, with a median age of 61.3 (SD: 17.39) years were prospectively enrolled in this study; 1481 (51%) patients were males. One hundred and eighty (6.9%) patients were COVID-19 positive, while 2412 (93.1%) were negative. Concomitant preexisting diseases including cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.0001), diabetes (p < 0.0001), and severe chronic obstructive airway disease (p = 0.005) were significantly more frequent in the COVID-19 group. Markers of sepsis severity including ARDS (p < 0.0001), PIPAS score (p < 0.0001), WSES sepsis score (p < 0.0001), qSOFA (p < 0.0001), and Tokyo classification of severity of acute cholecystitis (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. The COVID-19 group had significantly higher postoperative complications (32.2% compared with 11.7%, p < 0.0001), longer mean hospital stay (13.21 compared with 6.51 days, p < 0.0001), and mortality rate (13.4% compared with 1.7%, p < 0.0001). The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis was doubled in the COVID-19 group (40.7% compared with 22.3%). The mean wall thickness of the gallbladder was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group [6.32 (SD: 2.44) mm compared with 5.4 (SD: 3.45) mm; p < 0.0001].

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis is higher in COVID patients compared with non-COVID patients admitted to the emergency department with acute cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis in COVID patients is associated with high-grade Clavien-Dindo postoperative complications, longer hospital stay and higher mortality rate. The open cholecystectomy rate is higher in COVID compared with non -COVID patients. It is recommended to delay the surgical treatment in COVID patients, when it is possible, to decrease morbidity and mortality rates. COVID-19 infection and gangrenous cholecystistis are not absolute contraindications to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in a case by case evaluation, in expert hands.

Randomized-controlled trial of methocarbamol as a novel treatment for muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND

Muscle cramps occur in 29-88% of patients with liver cirrhosis. They adversely affect quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of methocarbamol as a novel therapy in controlling muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was carried on 100 patients with liver cirrhosis in addition to chronic hepatitis C who presented with frequent muscle cramps (≥three cramps per week). Half of these patients received methocarbamol and the other half received placebo. This was done through equal randomization. Questionnaires on muscle cramp were answered. Patients were evaluated before, after 1 month of treatment, and 2 weeks after washout of treatment in terms of severity, duration, and frequency of cramps. Liver, renal functions, and electrolytes were analyzed. Also, any side effect was detected.

RESULTS

Patients who were treated with methocarbamol showed a significant decrease in the frequency and duration of cramps. Also, the pain score improved significantly. However, no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Few side effects of methocarbamol were recorded, including dry mouth and drowsiness.

CONCLUSION

Methocarbamol seems to be a promising safe and well-tolerated medication, and plays a role in the treatment of muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Amyloid A in Serum and Ascitic Fluid as a Novel Diagnostic Marker of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) depends mainly on ascetic fluid culture which may be negative in spite of the clinical suggestion of SBP and high ascetic fluid neutrophilic count.

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the biological importance of amyloid A biomarker in both serum and ascetic fluid to diagnose SBP as early as possible and to compare it to other markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)).

METHODS

This study included 37 patients with hepatic ascites; twenty-two of them had SBP, and 15 patients did not have SBP. Serum and ascetic fluid amyloid A, ascetic fluid neutrophil, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were measured in all subjects before the start of antimicrobial chemotherapy to the infected ones.

RESULTS

Both the serum and ascetic fluid amyloid and also, CRP were significantly higher in patients infected with ascetic fluid than others. The cut-off point of serum amyloid A for early detection of SBP was 9.25ug/ml with the high sensitivity and specificity. For ascetic amyloid A, the sensitivity and specificity were 90.09% and 60% at cut-off point 2.85ug/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Amyloid A in serum and ascitic fluid can be considered as a good biomarker for early diagnosis of SBP.

Evaluation of portal pressure by doppler ultrasound in patients with cirrhosis before and after simvastatin administration - a randomized controlled trial

Background: Portal hypertension is one of the most frequent complications of cirrhosis. β-adrenergic blockers, with or without organic nitrates, are currently used as hypotensive agents. Statins such as simvastatin seem to be safe for patients with chronic liver diseases and exert multiple pleiotropic actions. This study aimed to assess PTH using Doppler ultrasound in patients with cirrhosis before and after simvastatin administration. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients with cirrhosis who were randomized into 2 groups: group I included 20 patients with cirrhosis who were administered 20 mg of simvastatin daily for 2 weeks and then 40 mg daily for another 2 weeks, and group II included 20 patients with cirrhosis who did not receive simvastatin as a control group. All patients underwent full clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and abdominal Doppler ultrasound at baseline and after 30 days to evaluate portal vein diameter, blood flow volume, direction and velocity of portal vein blood flow, hepatic artery resistance and pulsatility indices, splenic artery resistance index, portal hypertension index (PHI), liver vascular index, and modified liver vascular index (MLVI). Results: There was a highly significant decrease in the hepatic artery resistance index  in group I, from 0.785 ± 0.088 to 0.717 ± 0.086 (P < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in the PHI in group I , from 3.915 ± 0.973 m/sec to 3.605 ± 1.168 m/sec (P = 0.024). Additionally, there was a significant increase in the MLVI in group I from 11.540 ± 3.266 cm/sec to 13.305 ± 3.222 cm/sec, an increase of 15.3% from baseline (P = 0.009). No significant adverse effects were detected. Conclusions: Simvastatin is safe and effective in lowering portal hypertension. [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02994485].

Orphenadrine in treatment of muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients: a randomized study

OBJECTIVE

Many patients of liver cirrhosis are complaining of muscle cramps, which are annoying to them. There is no effective treatment for muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients till now. This study purposed to evaluate efficacy and safety of orphenadrine in the treatment of muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty four patients who had muscle cramps three or more times weekly were included. They were divided into two arms: 62 patients administrated orphenadrine and 62 administrated placebo. They were followed up till 2 weeks after the end of therapy. Muscle cramps were evaluated using questionnaire as regards severity, duration, and frequency. Also, side effects of orphenadrine were recorded.

RESULTS

Frequency, duration of muscle cramps, and pain score improved significantly after 1 month of orphenadrine therapy in comparison to placebo. Few side effects were recorded in the form of dry mouth, drowsiness, and nausea.

CONCLUSION

Orphenadrine is considered as promising safe drug for treatment of muscle cramps associated with liver cirrhosis.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Nitazoxanide Plus Lactulose With Lactulose Alone in Treatment of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities associated with liver dysfunction. Lactulose is a nonabsorbable disaccharide presently used to treat HE. Nitazoxanide (NTZ) has a broad-spectrum activity against urease-producing bacteria, so it decreases ammonia production and is therefore expected to reverse the symptoms of HE. A previous pilot study on HE patients given NTZ and lactulose had encouraging results with regard to amelioration of the clinical picture. Patients showed improvement in mental status and the drug was well-tolerated. Results such as these are encouraging larger studies. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and adequacy of NTZ plus lactulose versus lactulose and placebo in management of overt HE.

METHODS

In total, 120 cirrhotic patients suffering from overt HE were randomly designated to take either NTZ plus lactulose (n=60) or lactulose and placebo (n=60). The Clinical Hepatic Encephalopathy Staging Scale (CHESS) score was assessed for all patients on inclusion to the study and 1 week from the start of treatment.

RESULTS

Both groups evinced an improvement in CHESS score at 1 week, yet the improvement was significantly better in the NTZ group as the score decreased from 4.15±2.09 to 0.00±0.00 compared with 4.96±2.29 to 1.28±0.91 in patients receiving lactulose and placebo (P-value <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

NTZ significantly decreases the CHESS score and improves mental status in the form of patient alertness, orientation, response to stimulation, and ability to talk. NTZ is safe and well-tolerated apart from infrequent epigastric pain.

Effect of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal endoscopy practice: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Since the emergence of the novel corona virus (SARS-Cov-2) in the late 2019 and not only the endoscopy practice and training but also the health care systems around the globe suffers. This systematic review focused the impact of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) on the endoscopy practice.

METHODS

A web search of different databases combining different search terms describing the endoscopy practice and the COVID-19 pandemic was done. Articles were screened for selection of relevant articles in two steps: title and abstract step and full-text screening step, by two independent reviewers and any debate was solved by a third reviewer.

RESULTS

Final studies included in qualitative synthesis were 47. The data shown in the relevant articles were evident for marked reduction in the volume of endoscopy, marked affection of colorectal cancer screening, impairments in the workflow, deficiency in personal protective equipment (PPE) and increased likelihood of catching the infection among both the staff and the patients.

CONCLUSION

The main outcomes from this review are rescheduling of endoscopy procedures to be suitable with the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in each Country. Also, the endorsement of the importance of PPE use for health care workers and screening of COVID-19 infection pre-procedure.Key messagesThe data focussing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and COVID-19 emerged from different areas around the globe. The data presented on the published studies were heterogeneous. However, there were remarkable reductions in the volume of GI endoscopy worldwideStaff reallocation added a burden to endoscopy practiceThere was a real risk for COVID-19 spread among both the staff and the patients.

Serum Dickopff 1 as a Novel Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis and Follow Up After Ablative Therapy

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the role of Dickopff 1 (DKK1) serum levels as a marker for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to compare it with alphafetoprotein (AFP) after non-surgical intervention (microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation) in HCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study was conducted in Al-Mahalla hepatology teaching hospital from June 2015 to June 2017. One hundred and twenty patients were included. They were classified into four groups: Group A: 40 patients with chronic liver disease; Group B: 40 patients with HCC which were divided into 2 main sub groups, group Ba which included HCC patients who were not eligible for ablative therapy and group Bb which included HCC patients who were eligible for ablative therapy; Group C: 20 healthy control subjects matched for age and sex; Group D: 20 HCC patients with negative AFP, DKK1 was done for them.

RESULTS

There was a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) between groups regarding serum level of Dickpoff 1 with mean of 1 ng/mL in group A (cirrhotic), 2.38 ng/mL in group B (HCC), and 1.83 ng/mL in group D (AFP negative HCC) in comparison to control group C with mean of 0.54 ng/mL. There was a highly statistically significant difference (p value less =0.01) in the studied groups regarding serum Dickpoff 1 before and after intervention with a mean of 2.38 ng/mL before intervention and mean of 1.37 ng/mL after 1 month of intervention.

CONCLUSION

Serum Dkk-1 has higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in early diagnosis of HCC than AFP.