Hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma: clinical features and imaging findings of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and CT

AIM

To evaluate the clinical features and imaging findings of epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During January 2006 to November 2015, six patients with histopathologically proven hepatic EAML were evaluated using both CECT and ultrasonography. Six patients underwent CEUS and four patients had CECT images. Patients' demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory test results, and imaging appearances were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

Six patients were female, and the mean age was 43.5 years. All hepatic EAMLs were solitary. None of patients had specific symptoms, and laboratory tests were normal in all patients. The maximal diameter of the lesions ranged from 3.1 to 6.5 cm (mean 4.4 cm). Baseline ultrasound revealed that 50% of hepatic EAMLs were hypo-echoic and 50% were mixed echoic. CEUS showed that 100% of the hepatic EAMLs displayed homogeneous hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and 67% (4/6) showed hypo-enhancement in the late phase. On CECT, 100% (4/4) of the neoplasms were significantly hyperenhanced in the arterial phase and washout in the portal phase. There was no recurrence or metastasis after a mean follow-up period of 11.8 months.

CONCLUSION

Hepatic EAML shows similar enhancement patterns to that of hepatocellular carcinoma. It should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in female patients without viral hepatitis infection.

Bronchopleural fistula after lung ablation: Experience in two cases and literature review

BACKGROUND

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) complicating lung tumor ablation is rare but severe. The purpose of this article was to study its characteristics and treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two of 682 (0.3%) sessions of lung microwave ablation (MWA) were complicated with BPF and documented. Two electronic databases were searched for reported cases of BPF after lung tumor ablation. Case selection and data collection were done by 3 independent reviewers.

RESULTS

A 56-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman developed BPF after MWA and died. Thirteen cases (mean age 63.8, 61.5% male) of BPF with adequate information were identified from 8 articles. Of the 13 cases, 5 (38.5%) had pulmonary co-morbidity, 3 (23.1%) had a history of pulmonary surgery, 7 (53.8%) had a target tumor adjacent or abutting pulmonary pleura, and 6 (46.2%) developed severe infections. After chest tube placement, pleurodesis, endoscopic therapy, surgery, and other treatments, 12 were cured and 1 died of BPF and pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

BPF is a rare but severe complication of lung ablation, and the management needs a multidisciplinary and individualized treatment strategy.

Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of acute kidney injury in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and is also an important cause for poor outcome. This study aimed at investigating the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of AKI in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). A total of 1167 patients with HBV-related ACLF from January 2010 to January 2015 were enrolled and divided into two groups, AKI group (n=308) and non-AKI group (n=859). All patients were followed up to investigate clinical characteristics, long-term overall survival (OS) and risk factors. AKI occurrence was found to be 26.4% in patients with HBV-related ACLF. The patients in the AKI group and the non-AKI group had a 30-day OS of 44.8% and 70.3%, 90-day OS of 17.9% and 55.4%, and 1-year OS of 15.6% and 51.2%, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the 30-day, 90-day and 1-year OS among subgroups with different AKI stages. It was found that high WBC, neutrophil, ALT and MELD score were risk factors for 30-day mortality, whereas hepatic encephalopathy, high MELD score, mean arterial pressure and PLT were risk factors for 90-day mortality. Two criteria, the KDIGO and AKIN, showed parallel results in staging AKI in patients with HBV-related ACLF (κ=0.807, P<.001). AKI is closely associated with increased short-term mortality in Chinese HBV-related ACLF patients, particularly in those with infection and high MELD score. Both KDIGO and AKIN criteria can be used for staging AKI in patients with HBV-related ACLF.

Kidney Transplantation From Brain-Dead Donors: Initial Experience in China

BACKGROUND

Experience with kidney transplantation from brain-dead donors remains limited in China. Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes of kidney transplantation from brain-dead donors (group 1), compared with those from living ones of the same age (group 2).

METHODS

Clinical data of kidney transplantation from brain-dead donors and living donors in the same age range (18-45 years) performed between May 2007 and December 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Recipients were analyzed for posttransplantation serum creatinine, creatinine clearance (calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula), the number of acute rejection episodes and delayed graft function, and patient/graft survival.

RESULTS

Mean donor age was comparable between the 2 groups (31.9 ± 6.5 vs 32.8 ± 7.0 years; P = .268). The terminal serum creatinine level of donors was 125.5 ± 63.5 μmol/L in group 1 (n = 30) and 65.1 ± 13.7 μmol/L in group 2 (n = 110; P = .000). Recipient creatinine clearance was comparable between the 2 groups 1 month posttransplantation and thereafter. Acute rejection episodes were seen in 7 cases in recipients of group 1 (15.9%) and in 15 cases in recipients of group 2 (13.6%; P = .716). The incidence of delayed graft function was higher in recipients of group 1 (18.2%) than that of group 2 (3.6%; P = .002). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient/graft survival rate was comparable between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated kidney transplantation from brain-dead donors achieved acceptable graft function and patient/graft survival in the 5-year follow-up, encouraging the use of this approach.

Artesunate modulates expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors as well as collagen-IV to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in rats

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of artesunate on extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and the expression of collagen-IV, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) to understand the pharmacological role of artesunate in pulmonary fibrosis. Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups that were administered saline alone, bleomycin (BLM) alone, BLM + artesunate, or artesunate alone for 28 days. Lung tissues from 10 rats in each group were used to obtain lung fibroblast (LF) primary cells, and the rest were used to analyze protein expression. The mRNA expression of collagen-IV, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in lung fibroblasts was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of collagen-IV, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 protein in lung tissues were analyzed by western blotting. Artesunate treatment alleviated alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in rats, as indicated by a decreased lung coefficient and improvement of lung tissue morphology. Artesunate treatment also led to decreased collagen-IV protein levels, which might be a result of its downregulated expression and increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein and mRNA levels. Increased TIMP-1 and TIMP- 2 protein and mRNA levels were detected after artesunate treatment in lung tissues and primary lung fibroblast cells and may contribute to enhanced activity of MMP-2 and -9. These findings suggested that artesunate attenuates alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis by regulating expression of collagen-IV, TIMP-1 and 2, as well as MMP-2 and -9, to reduce ECM accumulation.

MicroRNA-320 regulates matrix metalloproteinase-13 expression in chondrogenesis and interleukin-1β-induced chondrocyte responses

OBJECTIVE

Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key regulators of osteoarthritis (OA) and collagen degradation and have been shown to participate in endochondral ossification. The aim of this study was to determine whether microRNA-320 (miR-320) regulates the expression of MMP-13 in chondrogenesis and inflammation.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

miR-320 expression was assessed in vitro, in the ATDC5 cell model of chondrogenesis and in interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-treated primary mouse chondrocytes (PMCs), and in vivo, in normal and OA human cartilage by in situ hybridization. ATDC5 and PMCs were transfected with miR-320 or its antisense inhibitor (anti-miR-320), respectively. The roles of activated MAP kinases (MAPK) and NF-κB were evaluated by using specific inhibitors. Direct interaction between miR-320 and its putative binding site in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of Mmp-13 mRNA was confirmed by the luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

miR-320 expression was elevated in chondrogenic and hypertrophic ATDC5, while significantly reduced in OA cartilage compared with normal cartilage. Stimulation with IL-1β led to a significant reduction in miR-320 expression in PMCs. Upregulation of MMP-13 expression was correlated with downregulation of miR-320 expression in both PMCs and ATDC5. Overexpression of miR-320 suppressed the activity of a reporter construct containing the 3'-UTR and inhibited MMP-13 expression in both ATDC5 and IL-1β-treated PMCs, while treatment with anti-miR-320 enhanced MMP-13 expression. NF-κB and MAPK activation downregulated miR-320 expression.

CONCLUSION

Cartilage development and homeostasis are influenced by miR-320, which directly targets MMP-13 and regulates chondrogenesis and the IL-1β-stimulated catabolic effect in mouse chondrocytes.

Artificial pneumothorax for pain relief during microwave ablation of subpleural lung tumors

BACKGROUND

When microwave ablation (MWA) is used for subpleural lesions, severe pain was the common side effect under the local anesthesia conditions during the procedure and postprocedure. To study the pain relief effect of artificial pneumothorax in the treatment of subpleural lung tumors with MWA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From February 2012 to October 2014, 37 patients with 40 subpleural lung tumors underwent MWA, including 17 patients of 19 sessions given artificial pneumothorax prior to MWA (group-I), and 20 patients of 21 sessions without artificial pneumothorax (group-II). Patient's pain assessment scores (10-point visual analog scale [VAS]) at during-procedure, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after the MWA procedure and mean 24 h morphine dose were compared between the two groups. Complications of the artificial pneumothorax were also summarized.

RESULTS

Pain VAS were 0.53, 0.65, 1.00, 0.24, and 0.18 at during-procedure, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h for group-I and 5.53, 2.32, 2.82, 1.21, and 0.21 for group-II, respectively. Pain VAS in group I was significantly decreased at during-procedure, 6, 12, and 24 h after the MWA (P < 0.001). No statistical pain VAS difference was observed at 48 h after the MWA between the two groups (P > 0.05). The mean 24 h morphine dose was 5.00 mg in group-I and 12.63 mg in group-II (P = 0.000). "Artificial pneumothorax" related complications occurred in two patients from group-I, including one pleural effusion and one minor hemoptysis. No patient in group-I and group-II died during the procedure or in 30 days after MWA.

CONCLUSION

Artificial pneumothorax is a safe and effective method for pain relief during MWA of subpleural lung tumors.

Clinical significance of group B streptococcus testing in late pregnancy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to detect the maternal group B streptococcus (GBS) by real-time PCR method, aiming to understand its germ-carrying situations and clinical significance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The secretions of one-third inferior segment of maternal vagina of 1,540 pregnant and postnatal women were collected for GBS detection by real-time PCR method, and the impacts of positive results on the fetus were observed.

RESULTS

The detection rate of GBS was 5.6% (86/1540); the premature birth rate of GBS-positive pregnant women was 29.1% (25/86), the miscarriage rate was 19.8% (17/86), the premature rupture rate was 26.7% (23/86), and the fetal distress rate was 24.4% (21/86).

CONCLUSIONS

The GBS germ-carriers showed increased rates of premature birth, miscarriage, premature rupture, and fetal distress, thus forming adverse effects towards the maternal and infant outcomes.

Correction: Single-molecule magnet behaviour in polynuclear assembly of trivalent cerium ions with polyoxomolybdates

Correction for ‘Single-molecule magnet behaviour in polynuclear assembly of trivalent cerium ions with polyoxomolybdates’ by A. Ben Khélifa, et al., Dalton Trans., 2015, 44, 16458–16464.

High-mobility group box 1 induces neuron autophagy in a rat spinal root avulsion model

Autophagy, a tightly regulated lysosome-dependent catabolic pathway, is implicated in various pathological states in the nervous system. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an inflammatory mediator known to be released into the local microenvironment from damaged cells. However, whether autophagy is induced and exogenous HMGB1 is involved in the process of spinal root avulsion remain unclear. Here, we investigated the induction effect of autophagy and the possible role of HMGB1 during spinal root avulsion. It was found that autophagy was activated in the anterior horn of the spinal cord as represented by the increased expression of the autophagic marker microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II), degradation of sequestosome 1 (p62), and formation of autophagosomes, and that autophagy was inhibited after intraperitoneal injection of anti-HMGB1-neutralizing antibodies in the rat spinal root avulsion model. In addition, HMGB1-induced autophagy and activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in primary spinal neurons, including c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38MAPK. Inhibition of JNK or ERK activity significantly blocked the effect of HMGB1-induced autophagy in primary spinal neurons. Finally, HMGB1-induced autophagy increased cell viability in primary spinal neurons under oxygen-glucose deprivation conditions. The above results suggest that HMGB1 is a critical regulator of autophagy and HMGB1-induced autophagy plays an important role in protecting spinal neurons against injury, which may provide new insights into the pathophysiological process of spinal root avulsion.

Single-molecule magnet behaviour in polynuclear assembly of trivalent cerium ions with polyoxomolybdates

An isopolyoxomolybdate-based POM is coordinated to trivalent cerium ions to afford a hybrid complex namely, [Ce(dmso)8][Ce(η2-NO3)2(dmso)4(α-Mo8O26)0.5][Mo6O19]. The original electrostatic environment created around the Ce(III) by its coordination to the isopolyoxomolybdate core induces complex single-molecule magnet behavior.

Diagnostic performance of the PTSD checklist and the Vietnam Era Twin Registry PTSD scale

AIMS

Self-report questionnaires are frequently used in clinical and epidemiologic studies to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A number of studies have evaluated these scales relative to clinician administered structured interviews; however, there has been no formal evaluation of their performance relative to non-clinician administered epidemiologic assessments such as the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). We examined the diagnostic performance of two self-report PTSD scales, the PTSD checklist (PCL) and the Vietnam Era Twin Registry (VET-R) PTSD scale, compared to the CIDI.

METHODS

Data were derived from a large epidemiologic follow-up study of PTSD in 5141 Vietnam Era Veterans. Measures included the PCL, VET-R PTSD scale and CIDI. For both the PCL and VET-R PTSD scale, ROC curves, areas under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, % correctly classified, likelihood ratios, predictive values and quality estimates were generated based on the CIDI PTSD diagnosis.

RESULTS

For the PCL and VET-R PTSD scale the AUCs were 89.0 and 87.7%, respectively. Optimal PCL cutpoints varied from the 31-33 range (when considering sensitivity and specificity) to the 36-56 range (when considering quality estimates). Similar variations were found for the VET-R PTSD, ranging from 31 (when considering sensitivity and specificity) to the 37-42 range (when considering quality estimates).

CONCLUSIONS

The PCL and VET-R PTSD scale performed similarly using a CIDI PTSD diagnosis as the criterion. There was a range of acceptable cutpoints, depending on the metric used, but most metrics suggested a lower PCL cutpoint than in previous studies in Veteran populations.

Risk factors for BK virus infection and BK virus-associated nephropathy under the impact of intensive monitoring and pre-emptive immunosuppression reduction

BACKGROUND

BK virus (BKV) nephropathy (BKVN) is an increasingly recognized cause of kidney allograft loss and is thought to be related to the newer, more potent immunosuppressive agents. However, the risk factors for different types of BKV infection under the impact of intensive monitoring and reduction of maintenance immunosuppression are not well understood.

METHODS

Quantitative BKV DNA surveillance in plasma/urine and cytological testing in urine were performed regularly within the first year post-transplantation in 229 kidney recipients. Patients with BK viremia and BKVAN treated with immunosuppression reduction were monitored for BKV every 3-6 months. All the patients were followed up for a minimum of 5 years to exclude later development of BKVAN. Potential variables were compared and analyzed using logistic regression model multivariate analysis to assess and rank the BKV infection-related factors.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight (34.1%) patients had decoy cells, 99 (43.2%) BK viruria, 38 (16.6%) BK viremia, and 7 (3.1%) BKVAN. Risk for decoy cells, BK viruria, and viremia, and BKVAN in univariate analyses were higher with tacrolimus (Tac) and deceased kidney donation. Multivariate analysis showed that Tac ([HR, 2.7; P = .008], [HR, 2.3; P = .016], [HR, 2.9; P = .032]) and deceased kidney donation ([HR, 2.5; P = .004], [HR, 2.6; P = .002], [HR, 2.1; P = .071]) were risk factors for BK decoy cells, BK viruria, and viremia, respectively. BKVAN was inclined to the patients with the combination of Tac and mycophenolate mofetil and longer BKV clearance time.

CONCLUSIONS

Tac and deceased kidney donation are independent risk factors for BKV infection under the impact of therapeutic drug monitoring.

Planning of water resources management and pollution control for Heshui River watershed, China: A full credibility-constrained programming approach

A key issue facing integrated water resources management and water pollution control is to address the vague parametric information. A full credibility-based chance-constrained programming (FCCP) method is thus developed by introducing the new concept of credibility into the modeling framework. FCCP can deal with fuzzy parameters appearing concurrently in the objective and both sides of the constraints of the model, but also provide a credibility level indicating how much confidence one can believe the optimal modeling solutions. The method is applied to Heshui River watershed in the south-central China for demonstration. Results from the case study showed that groundwater would make up for the water shortage in terms of the shrinking surface water and rising water demand, and the optimized total pumpage of groundwater from both alluvial and karst aquifers would exceed 90% of its maximum allowable levels when credibility level is higher than or equal to 0.9. It is also indicated that an increase in credibility level would induce a reduction in cost for surface water acquisition, a rise in cost from groundwater withdrawal, and negligible variation in cost for water pollution control.

Relationship of the APOA5/A4/C3/A1 gene cluster and APOB gene polymorphisms with dyslipidemia

We determined the alleles of ten single nucleotide poly-morphisms (SNPs) in the APOA5/A4/C3/A1 gene cluster and in APOB in Han Chinese from Xinjiang Shihezi, China using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and explored the correlation between these SNPs and dyslipidemia through a case-control study design with 250 pa-tients and 250 normal controls. All SNPs except for APOA5 rs2072560 conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (all P > 0.05). APOA5 rs651821, APOA4 rs5104, APOC3 rs734104, and APOC3 rs5128 geno-type and allele frequencies were significantly different between groups (all P < 0.01). For rs651821, the risks of dyslipidemia for the CC or CC+CT genotypes were 9.917 or 1.859 times that of TT, and the risk of the C vs T allele was 2.027. For rs5104, the AG, GG, or AG+GG risks were 1.797, 1.861, and 1.809 times AA, and the G vs A risk was 1.427. For rs734104, the CT, CC, or CC+CT risks were 1.851, 2.570, and 1.958 times TT, and the C vs T risk was 1.610. For rs5128, the GC or CC+GC risks were 1.738 or 1.749 times GG, and the C vs G risk was 1.477. Compared with the wild-type haplotype TATG, the risks of dyslipidemia with CGCC, TGCC, or CATG haplotypes (odds ratios = 2.434, 1.503, and 2.740, respectively) were significantly higher. Our results suggested that these four SNPs were significantly associated with dyslipidemia in Xinjiang Shihezi Han Chinese, and might serve as risk factors for dyslipidemia. Individuals carrying the CGCC, TGCC, or CATG haplotypes were prone to dyslipidemia.

Effects of AFP gene silencing on Survivin mRNA expression inhibition in HepG2 cells

We investigated the effects of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene silencing on Survivin expression in HepG2 cells. Small interfering RNA technology was used to downregulate AFP expression in HepG2 cells. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure AFP concentration in the supernatant before and after transfection. An MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation activity before and after transfection. We performed flow cytometric analysis to detect the cell apoptosis rate, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to detect Survivin mRNA levels before and after transfection. Forty-eight hours after transfection, AFP concentration in the supernatant of the experimental group significantly decreased, hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth was inhibited by 43.1%, and the apoptosis rate increased by 24.3%. Survivin mRNA expression was reduced by 78.0% in HepG2 cells. These indicators in the control group and in the blank group did not change significantly. Silencing of AFP expression in HepG2 cells can effectively inhibit the growth of hepatoma cells and promote apoptosis, which may be useful for reducing intracellular Survivin mRNA levels.

Effects of testosterone administration on cognitive function in hysterectomized women with low testosterone levels: a dose-response randomized trial

PURPOSE

To determine the dose-dependent effects of testosterone administration on cognition in women with low testosterone levels.

METHODS

71 hysterectomized women with or without oophorectomy with total testosterone <31 ng/dl and/or free testosterone <3.5 pg/ml received a standardized transdermal estradiol regimen during the 12-week run-in period and were then randomized to receive weekly intramuscular injections of placebo, 3, 6.25, 12.5, or 25 mg testosterone enanthate for 24 weeks. Total testosterone was measured in serum by LC-MS/MS, and free testosterone levels were measured by equilibrium dialysis. Cognitive function was evaluated using a comprehensive battery of standardized neuropsychological tests at baseline and 24 weeks.

RESULTS

46 women who had baseline and end-of-treatment cognitive function data constituted the analytic sample. The five groups were similar at baseline. Mean on-treatment nadir total testosterone concentrations were 15, 89, 98, 134, and 234 ng/dl in the placebo, 3, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg groups, respectively. No significant changes in spatial ability, verbal fluency, verbal memory, or executive function were observed in any treatment arm compared to placebo even after adjustment for baseline cognitive function, age, and education. Multiple regression analysis did not show any significant relation between changes in testosterone concentrations and change in cognitive function scores.

CONCLUSION

Short-term testosterone administration over a wide range of doses for 24 weeks in women with low testosterone levels was neither associated with improvements nor worsening of cognitive function.

Expression profile of long noncoding RNAs in cartilage from knee osteoarthritis patients

OBJECTIVES

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as a novel class of regulatory molecules involved in various biological processes, but their role in osteoarthritis (OA) remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to reveal lncRNAs expression profile in human osteoarthritic cartilage and explore the potential functions of lncRNAs in OA.

METHODS

The expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in OA cartilage were obtained using microarray and verified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics analyses including lncRNA classification and subgroup analysis, gene ontology (GO) analysis, pathway analysis, network analysis and target prediction were performed.

RESULTS

There were 3007 upregulated lncRNAs and 1707 downregulated lncRNAs in OA cartilage compared with normal samples (Fold change ≥ 2.0). In addition, 2136 mRNAs were upregulated and 2,241 mRNAs were downregulated in OA cartilage (Fold change ≥ 2.0). The qRT-PCR results of six dysregulated lncRNAs were consistent with the microarray data. 106 lncRNAs and 291 mRNAs composed the coding-non-coding gene co-expression network (CNC network). In the 600 top differentially expressed lncRNAs, 48 lncRNAs were predicted to have more than five cis-regulated target genes and up to 530 lncRNAs might regulate their trans target genes through collaboration with transcriptional factor (TF) SP1. The positive correlation between lncRNA uc.343 and predicted target homeobox gene C8 (HOXC8) expression in SW1353 cells treating with interleukin-1 beta confirmed the target prediction to some extent.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the expression pattern of lncRNAs in OA cartilage and predicted the potential function and targets, which indicated that lncRNAs may be new biomarkers for diagnosis or novel therapeutic targets of OA.

Dietary patterns are associated with prevalence of fatty liver disease in adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have indicated that higher levels of food consumption are associated with fatty liver disease (FLD), but few studies have investigated the relationship between this disease and different dietary patterns. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between dietary patterns and FLD in adults.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Dietary intakes of participants in the Tianjin were assessed via questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns, and FLD was defined as having a FLD diagnosis using liver ultrasonography. Relationships between dietary patterns and FLD were assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Female participants in the highest quartile of high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern scores had a 2.19-fold greater risk (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.40-3.46) of developing non-alcoholic FLD (NAFLD) than those in the lowest quartile after adjusting for confounding factors. No significant differences were found between any dietary pattern and NAFLD in males. In males, a significantly increasing trend of alcoholic FLD (AFLD) prevalence was associated with increasing high-protein/cholesterol pattern scores (P for trend = 0.03; odds ratio (OR), 2.08; 95% CI, 1.15-3.81) while an increased high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern score appeared protective against AFLD (P for trend = 0.02; OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.29-1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that high-protein/cholesterol pattern scores are associated with higher prevalence of AFLD in males. We also show high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern scores are associated with higher prevalence of NAFLD in females; but, interestingly, this pattern shows a favorable effect on AFLD in males.