Mucosal abnormalities of the small bowel in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension: a capsule endoscopy study

Presence of anti-microbial antibodies in liver cirrhosis--a tell-tale sign of compromised immunity?

Background

Bacterial translocation plays important role in the complications of liver cirrhosis. Antibody formation against various microbial antigens is common in Crohn's disease and considered to be caused by sustained exposure to gut microflora constituents. We hypothesized that anti-microbial antibodies are present in patients with liver cirrhosis and may be associated with the development of bacterial infections.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Sera of 676 patients with various chronic liver diseases (autoimmune diseases:266, viral hepatitis C:124, and liver cirrhosis of different etiology:286) and 100 controls were assayed for antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae(ASCA) and to antigens derived from two intestinal bacterial isolates (one gram positive, one gram negative, neither is Escherichia coli). In patients with liver cirrhosis, we also prospectively recorded the development of severe episodes of bacterial infection. ASCA and anti-OMP Plus™ antibodies were present in 38.5% and 62.6% of patients with cirrhosis and in 16% and 20% of controls, respectively (p<0.001). Occurrence of these antibodies was more frequent in cases of advanced cirrhosis (according to Child-Pugh and MELD score; p<0.001) or in the presence of ascites (p<0.001). During the median follow-up of 425 days, 81 patients (28.3%) presented with severe bacterial infections. Anti-microbial antibody titers (p = 0.003), as well as multiple seroreactivity (p = 0.036), was associated with infectious events. In logistic regression analysis, the presence of ascites (OR:1.62, 95%CI:1.16–2.25), co-morbidities (OR:2.22, 95%CI:1.27–3.86), and ASCA positivity (OR:1.59, 95%CI:1.07–2.36) were independent risk factors for severe infections. A shorter time period until the first infection was associated with the presence of ASCA (p = 0.03) and multiple seropositivity (p = 0.037) by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and with Child-Pugh stage (p = 0.018, OR:1.85) and co-morbidities (p<0.001, OR:2.02) by Cox-regression analysis.

Conclusions/Significance

The present study suggests that systemic reactivity to microbial components reflects compromised mucosal immunity in patients with liver cirrhosis, further supporting the possible role of bacterial translocation in the formation of anti-microbial antibodies.

Factors associated with the clinical impact of capsule endoscopy in patients with overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Capsule endoscopy (CE) does not necessarily identify positive findings in patients with overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). We aimed to identify factors predictive of positive CE findings and those of re-bleeding after negative CE in overt OGIB.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 68 patients who underwent CE for overt OGIB. CE findings, therapeutic interventions, and clinical course after CE were reviewed. Clinical variables associated with positive CE findings and those associated with re-bleeding after negative CE findings were investigated.

RESULTS

Positive CE finding was found in 36 (53%) patients. Marked decrease in hemoglobin value [OR; 18.8, 95% CI; 3.4-152.0] and earlier CE examination within a week after the last episode of bleeding [OR; 8.0, 95% CI; 2.2-35.9] were factors associated with positive CE findings. Nine (28%) of 32 patients with negative CE findings re-bled. Marked decrease in hemoglobin value was more frequent in patients with re-bleeding than those without (P = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

Patients with massive and overt OGIB are the best candidates for CE. Earlier CE, virtually within a week, contributes to the better diagnostic yield of the procedure. Careful follow-up seems necessary for patients with massive bleeding even in cases of negative CE findings.

Capsule endoscopy in portal hypertension

Since the introduction of small bowel capsule endoscopy, and more recently of esophageal capsule endoscopy, these diagnostic tools have become available for the evaluation of the consequences of portal hypertension in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The main advantage of the esophageal and the small bowel capsule is the relatively less invasiveness that could potentially increase patients' adherence to endoscopic screening/surveillance programs. When esophageal capsule endoscopy was compared with traditional gastroscopy, it showed good sensitivity and specificity in recognizing the presence and the size of esophageal varices. However, the results are not consistent among studies, and more data are needed.

Evaluation of portal hypertensive enteropathy by scoring with capsule endoscopy: is transient elastography of clinical impact?

There is limited data about the mucosal lesions of portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) detected by capsule endoscopy, and there is no scoring system to evaluate their severity. Our aim is to create a reliable scoring system for PHE, and to explore the possible usefulness of using transient elastograhy (TE) in that field. We compared the medical records of 31 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with 29 control patients. We found that the mucosal lesions compatible with PHE were significantly more common in cirrhotic patients than in control patients (67.7% vs 6.9%, p<0.001). Cirrhotic patients with high TE score (p = 0.018), high Child-Pugh grade, large esophageal varices (EV), portal hypertensive gastropathy, and history of endoscopic variceal injection sclerotherapy or ligation (EIS/EVL) were significantly associated with PHE. Using our scoring system, we found that patients with higher TE score (p = 0.004), high Child-Pugh score (p = 0.011), larger EV (p = 0.006), and prior EIS/EVL (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with higher PHE score. We concluded that using our scoring system might be helpful in grading PHE severity, and TE might be a new non-invasive method for detecting the presence and severity of PHE in cirrhotic patients.

Small-bowel lesions caused by portal hypertension of schistosomal origin: a capsule endoscopy pilot study

BACKGROUND

Schistosomiasis is a highly prevalent disease. It can evolve to its hepatosplenic form in up to 10% of the cases. The small-bowel lesions developed during the hepatosplenic stage of the disease have not been described in vivo.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe, for the first time, in a pilot study, the endoscopic aspects of the lesions in the small bowel of patients with portal hypertension due to schistosomiasis, using the PillCam SB, and to determine the usefulness of the method for the diagnosis of esophageal varices.

DESIGN

Case series.

SETTING

Tertiary-care medical center.

PATIENTS

Nine nonrandomized patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and esophageal varices without previous GI bleeding were selected based on findings from the PillCam SB. Patients using medications that could alter the coagulation, with history of abdominal surgery, who were undergoing treatment of the portal hypertension other than beta-blocker, and with symptoms suggesting bowel obstruction were excluded. The findings were interpreted by a single endoscopist.

RESULTS

Capsule endoscopy was able to diagnose esophageal varices in all 9 patients. All of the patients presented angioectasias and venectasias in the small bowel. Small-bowel varices were present in 22.2% of the patients; edema and erosions were found in 66.7% and 88.9%, respectively. Lesions of so-called "scarred mucosa" were found in 55.5% of the patients.

LIMITATIONS

Small number of patients; case series.

CONCLUSION

The PillCam SB was effective, giving a significant contribution to the description of the esophageal varices and small-bowel lesions of the patients with portal hypertension caused by Schistosoma mansoni.

Advances in research on portal hypertensive enteropathy

Portal hypertensive enteropathy, whose fundamental pathologic change is a vasculopathy characterized histopathologically by mucosal and submucosal vessel dilatation, oedema and congestion, mainly results from a combination of increased intrahepatic vascular resistance and increased blood flow through the portal venous system. Though portal hypertensive enteropathy usually has non-specific clinical manifestations, it is a major cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Up to now, there has been no standard for the diagnosis and grading of portal hypertensive enteropathy. Unfortunately, the experience of treatment for portal hypertensive enteropathy only comes from some small-sample trials. For these reasons, an in-depth study of portal hypertensive enteropathy is still necessary. In this article, we will review the advances in research on portal hypertensive enteropathy.

[Results of colonoscopic examination in the evaluation of cirrhotic candidates for liver transplantation]

AIM

To assess the presence of preneoplastic and neoplastic colonic lesions, as well as those related to portal hypertensive vasculopathy, and their association with liver disease in cirrhotic patients who are candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation (LT).

METHODS

Between October 2004 and December 2005, colonoscopy was performed in 92 patients who were LT candidates, aged >50 years old or aged <50 years old but with clinical indications.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight percent of the patients were > 50 years old, the mean age was 55.3 years (29-69) and 81.5% were males. The main etiology of cirrhosis was alcoholic (46.7%), and 21% were Child-Pugh class A. No abnormalities were detected in 20.7%. Polyps were discovered in 38% (35/92) of patients (adenomatous 65.2%; tubular type 86.7%). Six patients with adenomatous polyps had mild dysplasia, and one asymptomatic patient had a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. An association was found between polyps and male sex (44% males vs 17.6% females; p=0.044) and Child-Pugh grade (63.2% Child A vs 32.9% Child B/C, p=0.016) but not with serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), age or etiology of liver disease. Portal hypertensive colopathy was found in 23.9%, rectal varices in 7.6% and internal or mixed hemorrhoids in 52.3%.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of preneoplastic and neoplastic colonic lesions may support the use of colonoscopy in LT candidates aged >50 years-old or with a history suggesting lower gastrointestinal bleeding or other abnormalities.

Endoscopic characterization of the small bowel in patients with portal hypertension evaluated by double balloon endoscopy

BACKGROUND

The endoscopic abnormalities present in the small bowel (SB) of patients with portal hypertension (PH) are not well understood. This study sought to evaluate endoscopic findings of the SB in patients with PH by double balloon endoscopy (DBE).

METHODS

We evaluated the endoscopic findings of SB in 15 patients with PH and 49 controls without liver disease or PH. A total of 24 and 90 procedures were performed for PH patients and control patients, respectively, through oral and/or anal approaches.

RESULTS

Fourteen of the 15 patients exhibited villous abnormalities, including edema (73%), atrophy (40%), and reddening (47%) of villi. Vascular lesions, such as angiodysplasia-like abnormalities (67%), dilated/proliferated vessels (93%), and varices (7%), were observed in all patients with PH. Although they were associated with ascites, these abnormalities did not correlate with any laboratory findings. None of these abnormalities was observed in controls. Definitive or suspected bleeding sources were identified in 9 of 13 patients with both PH and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), which was similar to the incidence in controls with OGIB. Although the frequency of postprocedure fever (>37.5 degrees C) was higher in patients with PH in comparison to controls (29% vs. 2%, P < 0.01), endoscopic treatment under DBE was performed on 3 PH patients without serious complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic abnormalities of the SB may be prevalent in patients with PH. Although postprocedure fever of DBE may occur more commonly in patients with PH, DBE is useful as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool to evaluate the SB.

Capsule endoscopy in the investigation of patients with portal hypertension and anemia

INTRODUCTION

Data on small bowel abnormalities in patients with portal hypertension (PHT) are limited. Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract and anemia are common complications in these patients. Capsule endoscopy (CE) was used to evaluate small bowel (SB) pathology in patients with PHT and anemia, and possible associations with various parameters were examined.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with PHT referred for CE investigation of the SB for anemia were prospectively enrolled in the study, as well as 70 age- and sex-matched control patients with anemia, normal liver function and no evidence of PHT who underwent CE.

RESULTS

Findings compatible with portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) were detected in 65.7% of the patients and in 15.7% of the controls chi2=26.641, P=0.000). Abnormalities in PHT patients included varices in 25.7%, diffuse changes of mucosa with inflammatory-like appearance in 42.9%, and angiodysplasias and/or spider angiomas in 22.9% of cases. The presence of PHE was significantly associated only with the presence of severe portal hypertensive gastropathy, while the presence of SB varices alone was significantly associated with the presence of severe portal hypertensive gastropathy, larger esophageal varices and the presence of colonic varices.

CONCLUSIONS

Varices, diffuse changes of mucosa with inflammatory-like appearance, and angiodysplasias and/or spider angiomas are detected more often in patients with PHT than in controls, and probably constitute the endoscopic characteristics of PHE. CE of the SB added a significant number of likely important findings to those detected by conventional endoscopic techniques for the clinical management of patients with PHT and anemia.

Gastrointestinal tract in liver disease: which organ is sick?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article gives an overview of the several morphological and functional alterations in the gastrointestinal tract that occur in liver disease and their systemic impact.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent endoscopic studies have revealed similar mucosal alterations in the upper gastrointestinal as well as the colon that include inflammatory-like changes and vascular lesions. Gut-barrier integrity is consequently impaired. There is an evidence that bacterial translocation with subsequent endotoxaemia provokes an inflammatory response that might trigger the cachexia syndrome in liver disease. Novel therapeutic approaches that address gut-barrier function such as supplementation with insulin-like growth factor or synbiotics have shown promising results.

SUMMARY

There are various alterations of the gastrointestinal tract in liver disease and portal hypertension, which might be less clinically overt than the cardinal potentially life-threatening features, ascites and oesophageal varices. However, these alterations, for example gut-barrier dysfunction and alterations of gut flora (microbiota) have immense impact on the portal enteropathy, as they both contribute to the systemic inflammation in liver cirrhosis, which is considered a risk factor for infections as well as the development of cachexia.

Using capsule endoscopy to identify GI tract lesions in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and chronic anemia

GOALS

We aimed to evaluate the ability of capsule endoscopy (CE) to detect small intestine (SI) lesions, especially SI varices, in patients with intrahepatic cirrhosis, portal hypertension (PHTN), and chronic anemia.

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding is a well-recognized complication of cirrhosis and PHTN, yet methods of identifying lesions in the SI that may contribute to covert bleeding and anemia, such as small bowel enteroscopy and angiography, are invasive and may be inadequate.

STUDY

In this observational pilot study, 19 consecutive patients presenting to a tertiary care, liver transplantation referral center with cirrhosis, PHTN, and chronic anemia after obliterative esophageal variceal therapy were evaluated with wireless CE using the GIVEN Pillcam SB M2A capsule. Two independent and blinded examiners reviewed the CE examinations.

RESULTS

SI varices were identified in 15.8% (3/19) of patients. Other PHTN-related findings included portal hypertensive gastropathy (13/19, 68.4%), portal hypertensive enteropathy (12/19, 63.1%), and portal hypertensive colopathy (3/19, 15.8%). Two patients had nonbleeding esophageal varices (2/19, 10.5%). A potential source of gastrointestinal blood loss was identified in 89.5% (17/19) of patients. Active bleeding sites were identified in 15.8% (3/19).

CONCLUSIONS

CE can identify potential bleeding sources and could have diagnostic utility in patients with end-stage liver disease and chronic anemia after obliterative esophageal variceal therapy.

Effect of portal hypertension in the small bowel: an endoscopic approach

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The effects of portal hypertension in the small bowel are largely unknown. The aim of the study was to prospectively assess portal hypertension manifestations in the small bowel.

METHODS

We compared, by performing enteroscopy with capsule endoscopy, the endoscopic findings of 36 patients with portal hypertension, 25 cirrhotic and 11 non-cirrhotic, with 30 controls.

RESULTS

Varices, defined as distended, tortuous, or saccular veins, and areas of mucosa with a reticulate pattern were significantly more frequent in patients with PTH. These two findings were detected in 26 of the 66 patients (39%), 25 from the group with PTH (69%) and one from the control group (3%) (P < 0.0001). Among the 25 patients with PTH exhibiting these patterns, 17 were cirrhotic and 8 were non-cirrhotic (P = 0.551). The presence of these endoscopic changes was not related to age, gender, presence of cirrhosis, esophageal or gastric varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, portal hypertensive colopathy, prior esophageal endoscopic treatment, current administration of beta-blockers, or Child-Pugh Class C. More patients with these endoscopic patterns had a previous history of acute digestive bleeding (72% vs. 36%) (P = 0.05). Active bleeding was found in two patients (5.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of varices or areas of mucosa with a reticulate pattern are manifestations of portal hypertension in the small bowel, found in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. The clinical implications of these findings, as regards digestive bleeding, are uncertain, although we documented acute bleeding from the small bowel in two patients (5.5%).

Characteristic endoscopic features of portal hypertensive enteropathy

BACKGROUND

Double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) and capsule endoscopy have opened up a new field of investigation regarding the small intestine. Although DBE has been widely used for diagnosis and treatment of different lesions in the small intestine, there is a paucity of information regarding endoscopic features of the small intestine in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).

METHODS

Endoscopic images of the small intestine were taken in 21 patients with LC by DBE (EN-450P5/20 or EN-450T5/W). Biopsy specimens were taken from various parts of the small intestine and examined microscopically. Different endoscopic features of the small intestine were compared in relation to the clinical parameters of these patients.

RESULTS

Erythema and telangiectasia were observed in five patients (24%) and one patient (5%), respectively. In eight patients (38%), the small intestinal mucosa was edematous, and the intestinal villi of these patients were swollen and rounded, resembling herring roe. The patients with a herring roe appearance in the small intestine had advanced LC (Child's classification B and C), and all of them also had portal hypertensive gastropathy and portal hypertensive colopathy. In comparison with patients without a herring roe appearance in the small intestine, patients with a herring roe appearance had a significantly increased spleen volume (P<0.05) and decreased platelet counts (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although preliminary, this study indicated that DBE may be useful for detecting different types of endoscopic lesions in patients with LC. A herring roe appearance seems to be one of the characteristic features of portal hypertensive enteropathy. However, further study will be required to develop insights about its pathogenesis.

Updates in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of ectopic varices

Ectopic varices (EcV) comprise large portosystemic venous collaterals located anywhere other than the gastro-oesophageal region. No large series or randomized-controlled trials address this subject, and therefore its management is based on available expertise and facilities, and may require a multidisciplinary team approach. EcV are common findings during endoscopy in portal hypertensive patients and their bleeding accounts for only 1–5% of all variceal bleeding. EcV develop secondary to portal hypertension (PHT), surgical procedures, anomalies in venous outflow, or abdominal vascular thrombosis and may be familial in origin. Bleeding EcV may present with anaemia, shock, haematemesis, melaena or haematochezia and should be considered in patients with PHT and gastrointestinal bleeding or anaemia of obscure origin. EcV may be discovered during panendoscopy, enteroscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, wireless capsule endoscopy, diagnostic angiography, multislice helical computed tomography, magnetic resonance angiography, colour Doppler-flow imaging, laparotomy, laparoscopy and occasionally during autopsy. Patients with suspected EcV bleeding need immediate assessment, resuscitation, haemodynamic stabilization and referral to specialist centres. Management of EcV involves medical, endoscopic, interventional radiological and surgical modalities depending on patients’ condition, site of varices, available expertise and patients’ subsequent management plan.

[Role of capsule endoscopy in patients with portal hypertension and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding]

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Limited number of data are available on small bowel changes due to portal hypertension. The present retrospective, comparative study was aimed to analyse the diagnostic yield and to describe the findings with capsule endoscopy of cirrhotic patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Capsule endoscopy findings of 11 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and 22 non-cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding who had undergone non-diagnostic upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were compared. Capsule video recordings were evaluated by two investigators at both workplaces. Patients after capsule endoscopy were followed-up until a mean of 19 (1-42) months.

RESULTS

In total 7 men and 5 women were examined at two medical centres in 48 months with a mean age of 66.2 (+/-7.6) years. The average period between the first clinical symptoms and capsule endoscopy was 15.7 (+/-14.9) months. During this period patients were hospitalized in an average of 2.8 (+/-1.3) times and 7.9 examinations were performed per patients prior to capsule endoscopy. A small bowel bleeding source was diagnosed in all 11 patients. Two definitive bleeding sources were observed in 7 patients (63%). Lesions connected to portal hypertension were found in all patients (8 angiodysplasias, 2 portal hypertensive enteropathies and 1 bowel varix). During the follow-up period rebleeding occurred in 27.3% of cirrhotic patients compared with 18.2% rebleeding rate in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Capsule endoscopy is a useful method in patients with portal hypertension and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after negative upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Multiple angiodysplasias are often diagnosed in the background of small bowel bleedings, and several bleeding sources frequently occur in these patients.

Portal hypertensive duodenal polyp: A case report

Abnormalities of gastric mucosa in patients with portal hypertension are well documented. Manifestations of portal hypertension in small bowel and colon are less common. Colonic polypoid lesions microscopically consisting of a normal mucosa, with dilatation of submucosal vessels, have been described. We here report the first case of portal hypertensive duodenal polyp, responsible for gastro-intestinal bleeding. Endoscopic treatment turned out to be successful.

Surgery for obscure lower gastrointestinal bleeding in India

Western patients with obscure lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (OLGIH) are usually 60 years or older, bleed from colonic diverticulosis or angiodysplasia, and need localizing investigations. In India, patients are younger, the causes of bleeding different, and health resources scarce. We followed a policy of early surgical exploration operation and excision of the bleeding source or, if this was not identified, did a right hemicolectomy. The outcome of this strategy was evaluated. Between 1996 and 2003, we managed 62 patients with OLGIH. Localizing investigations such as enteroclysis, radioisotope scanning, angiography, and peroperative enteroscopy were infrequently performed. Fifty patients underwent surgery, emergency (35 pts) or elective (15 pts), and comprised the study group. At operation the lesion was localized in 33 (66%) patients (jejunum in 9 and terminal ileum or cecum in 24) and was resected. In 17 patients no lesion was found and they had a right hemicolectomy. The 30-day mortality was six patients (12%) and included persistent bleeding (three), liver failure (one), and chest infection (one). Five (10%) patients rebled after operation at a mean follow-up of 31 months. Cirrhosis (P=0.003) as a comorbid illness was the only significant factor for rebleed in the right hemicolectomy group. Advanced age (>60 years; P=0.08) might be another risk factor in a larger study. In conclusion, patients with obscure OLGIH in India should have an early operation. If a lesion is not detected, a right hemicolectomy may be done. In this group those with cirrhosis have a higher chance of rebleed, as well as, perhaps, elderly patients.

The role of wireless capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of patients with suspected small bowel bleeding: A single center experience

Background: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new diagnostic tool for the study of patients with suspected small bowel pathology. The aim of the study was to clarify the usefulness of CE in the group of patients with obscure (overt / occult) gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Patients and methods: Thirty patients (14 men, 16 women, mean age 50 years, range 9 -79 years) were enrolled in the study. All of them undergone non-diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and barium follow-through of the small bowel. All patients underwent capsule endoscopy. Fourteen patients had overt and sixteen occult bleeding. The single senior endoscopist interpreted CE findings in an unblended manner. Results: CE identified a source of bleeding in 14/30 patients (46,6 %). Lesions identified were: tumors in five pts, vascular lesions, Crohn's disease and Meckel's diverticulum in two pts and fresh bleeding, segmental celiac disease and colonic diverticulosis in one patient each. CE identified a source of bleeding in 9/14 (64,3%) of patients with ongoing overt bleeding and in only 5/16 (31,3%) of patients with occult bleeding. The positive suspicious findings were seen in 6/30 (20%) of patients (2/14 with overt bleeding and 4/16 with occult bleeding. In 3/14 (21,4%) with overt and 7/16 (43,7%) with occult bleeding findings on CE were negative. All patients with negative findings on follow-up remained asymptomatic for one year. Capsule retention because of unsuspected stenosis occurred in a single patient and required surgery, which resolved the problem. Conclusion: CE is an effective diagnostic tool for patients with obscure GI bleeding. It is safe and painless technique which can diagnose the bleeding site beyond the reach of conventional endoscopy. The best candidates for the procedure are those with ongoing and overt bleeding.

Role of intestinal function in cachexia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cachexia is a prominent feature in many chronic diseases, but its pathogenesis is still not fully understood. This article reviews recent research into the role of the gut barrier in the pathogenesis of inflammation and cachexia with special emphasis on two potentially catabolic diseases: liver cirrhosis and chronic heart failure.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is increasing evidence that catabolic diseases such as liver cirrhosis and chronic heart failure are associated with increased gut permeability, endotoxemia and enhanced expression of proinflammatory cytokines. In liver cirrhosis normalization of portal hypertension by insertion of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt obviously causes improvement not only of gut barrier function, but also of nutritional status.

SUMMARY

Although its pathogenesis is not yet completely understood, proinflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the onset and progression of cachexia. Recent data support the hypothesis that impaired gut barrier function and increased permeability further translocation of endotoxins. Increased endotoxemia might be a potent trigger of systemic inflammatory response which is involved in the pathogenesis of the cachexia syndrome. Thus, it is tempting to speculate that therapeutic strategies for the improvement of gut barrier function will concomitantly improve nutritional status.

Portal hypertensive enteropathy

The available data on the use of VCE in patients who have cirrhosis and portal hypertension are inadequate to reach a firm conclusion about the usefulness of this diagnostic tool in this patient population. In fact, only retrospective case series exist, in which the characteristics of the patients are heterogeneous in terms of severity of liver disease and of portal hypertension, etiology of cirrhosis, and indication for VCE. In addition, the controls included in the studies are heterogeneous or poorly described. In spite of this, it appears that in patients with portal hypertension, the small bowel frequently shows mucosal abnormalities. Such abnormalities appear to be particularly frequent in patients who have severe portal hypertension and in those with low hemoglobin levels. The clinical significance of these findings remains undefined, however, especially in view of the fact that small bowel lesions also have been found in about 10% of patients with arthritis not taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in 13.8% of healthy subjects [41,42]. Therefore,large prospective studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of small bowel mucosal changes in patients who have cirrhosis. Such studies should compare patients who have cirrhosis with healthy subjects. A comparison between cirrhotic patients with a history of intestinal bleeding and bleeding patients without cirrhosis also would be interesting.