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Zhang H, Liu J, Yuan W, Zhang Q, Luo X, Li Y, Peng Y, Feng J, Liu X, Chen J, Zhou Y, Lv J, Zhou N, Ma J, Tang K, Huang B. Ammonia-induced lysosomal and mitochondrial damage causes cell death of effector CD8 + T cells. Nat Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41556-024-01503-x. [PMID: 39261719 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01503-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia is thought to be a cytotoxin and its increase in the blood impairs cell function. However, whether and how this toxin triggers cell death under pathophysiological conditions remains unclear. Here we show that ammonia induces a distinct form of cell death in effector T cells. We found that rapidly proliferating T cells use glutaminolysis to release ammonia in the mitochondria, which is then translocated to and stored in the lysosomes. Excessive ammonia accumulation increases lysosomal pH and results in the termination of lysosomal ammonia storage and ammonia reflux into mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial damage and cell death, which is characterized by lysosomal alkalization, mitochondrial swelling and impaired autophagic flux. Inhibition of glutaminolysis or blocking lysosomal alkalization prevents ammonia-induced T cell death and improves T cell-based antitumour immunotherapy. These findings identify a distinct form of cell death that differs from previously known mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huafeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cell Architecture Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jincheng Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wu Yuan
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yonggang Li
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue'e Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingyu Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yabo Zhou
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiadi Lv
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Nannan Zhou
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwei Ma
- Department of Immunology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Tang
- Cell Architecture Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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2
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Maharshi S, Sharma BC. Prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy: current and future drug targets. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:1096-1109. [PMID: 38492132 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10647-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy is described by a broad spectrum of neurological and psychiatric aberrations resulting due to advanced liver dysfunction. It is a neurological disorder due to hepatic insufficiency and/or portosystemic shunts. Its clinical presentation includes neuropsychiatric dysfunction ranging from subclinical changes to comatose state. It is a sign of poor prognosis in cirrhotics with a high 1-year mortality. Each episode of hepatic encephalopathy leads to high hospitalization rate, poor prognosis and raised burden of healthcare. Primary prophylaxis is prevention of initial occurrence and secondary prophylaxis is prevention of reappearance of hepatic encephalopathy in subjects who had prior history. Early detection and management of triggers is very important in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. The initial choice of treatment is still lactulose, as it is effective in minimal, overt, and recurrent hepatic encephalopathy. Rifaximin is equally effective as lactulose in managing hepatic encephalopathy and is better tolerated. Branch chain amino acids are beneficial in subjects who are protein intolerant. L-ornithine L-aspartate and probiotics are also useful in the management of hepatic encephalopathy. Rifaximin along with lactulose is effective in managing overt and recurrent hepatic encephalopathy. Large portosystemic shunts embolization and liver transplant is efficacious in certain group of patients. Nutritional therapy and fecal microbiota transplantation are newer therapies for hepatic encephalopathy but the evidences are limited, more research is required to prove their efficacy. Involvement of hospital pharmacists, telemedicine, and providing education are also beneficial in managing hepatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Maharshi
- Department of Gastroenterology, SMS Medical College and Hospitals, Jaipur, India
| | - Barjesh Chander Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, G.B. Pant Hospital, Room No. 201, Academic Block, New Delhi, 110002, India.
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3
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Anand AC, Acharya SK. The Story of Ammonia in Liver Disease: An Unraveling Continuum. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2024; 14:101361. [PMID: 38444405 PMCID: PMC10910335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2024.101361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyperammonemia and liver disease are closely linked. Most of the ammonia in our body is produced by transamination and deamination activities involving amino acid, purine, pyrimidines, and biogenic amines, and from the intestine by bacterial splitting of urea. The only way of excretion from the body is by hepatic conversion of ammonia to urea. Hyperammonemia is associated with widespread toxicities such as cerebral edema, hepatic encephalopathy, immune dysfunction, promoting fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Over the past two decades, it has been increasingly utilized for prognostication of cirrhosis, acute liver failure as well as acute on chronic liver failure. The laboratory assessment of hyperammonemia has certain limitations, despite which its value in the assessment of various forms of liver disease cannot be negated. It may soon become an important tool to make therapeutic decisions about the use of prophylactic and definitive treatment in various forms of liver disease.
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4
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Bäckström T, Doverskog M, Blackburn TP, Scharschmidt BF, Felipo V. Allopregnanolone and its antagonist modulate neuroinflammation and neurological impairment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105668. [PMID: 38608826 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation accompanies several brain disorders, either as a secondary consequence or as a primary cause and may contribute importantly to disease pathogenesis. Neurosteroids which act as Positive Steroid Allosteric GABA-A receptor Modulators (Steroid-PAM) appear to modulate neuroinflammation and their levels in the brain may vary because of increased or decreased local production or import from the systemic circulation. The increased synthesis of steroid-PAMs is possibly due to increased expression of the mitochondrial cholesterol transporting protein (TSPO) in neuroinflammatory tissue, and reduced production may be due to changes in the enzymatic activity. Microglia and astrocytes play an important role in neuroinflammation, and their production of inflammatory mediators can be both activated and inhibited by steroid-PAMs and GABA. What is surprising is the finding that both allopregnanolone, a steroid-PAM, and golexanolone, a novel GABA-A receptor modulating steroid antagonist (GAMSA), can inhibit microglia and astrocyte activation and normalize their function. This review focuses on the role of steroid-PAMs in neuroinflammation and their importance in new therapeutic approaches to CNS and liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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5
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Saritaş S, Tarlaci S, Bulbuloglu S, Guneş H. Investigation of Post-Transplant Mental Well-Being in Liver Transplant Recipients with Hepatic Encephalopathy. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3249. [PMID: 38892960 PMCID: PMC11172876 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine the healing trend of hepatic encephalopathy after transplantation surgery in patients with liver failure. Method: We conducted this descriptive and cross-sectional study with the participation of liver transplant recipients. A personal information form, the West Haven Criteria (WHC), the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS), and the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using Chi-squared tests, ANOVA, and paired-samples t-tests. Results: As time progressed after liver transplantation, hepatic encephalopathy stages regressed (p < 0.01). We found that liver transplant recipients with end-stage hepatic encephalopathy were mostly within the first 6 months after transplantation, while patients with first-stage hepatic encephalopathy had received liver transplants more than 2 years ago (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The results of our study revealed that hepatic encephalopathy stages regressed after transplantation, but there was no complete recovery. This highlights the need to develop new treatment strategies other than liver transplantation for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serdar Saritaş
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Malatya Turgut Ozal University, 44000 Malatya, Turkey;
| | - Sultan Tarlaci
- Division of Neuroscience, Psychology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Uskudar University, 34662 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Semra Bulbuloglu
- Division of Surgical Nursing, Nursing Department, Health Sciences Faculty, Istanbul Aydin University, 34662 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Guneş
- Division of Surgical Nursing, Nursing Department, Health Sciences Faculty, Bayburt University, 69000 Bayburt, Turkey;
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6
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Needham E, Webb G. Hepatic encephalopathy: a neurologist's perspective. Pract Neurol 2024; 24:200-206. [PMID: 38453473 DOI: 10.1136/pn-2023-003802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Liver disease is increasingly common, estimated to affect over 25% of the world's population. Failure of the liver to maintain a normal metabolic milieu leads to impaired brain function (hepatic encephalopathy), and conditions that cause liver disease can themselves predispose to neurological disease. As neurologists' involvement with the acute take increases, it is important that we are familiar with the neurological complications of liver disease, their investigation and management, and to know which other neurological diseases occur in this patient population. In this article, we review the causes, presentation and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, and discuss important differential diagnoses in patients with liver disease who present with neurological disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Needham
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Neurology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gwilym Webb
- Department of Hepatology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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7
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Lee F, Frederick RT. Hepatic Encephalopathy-A Guide to Laboratory Testing. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:225-236. [PMID: 38548435 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) remains both a clinical diagnosis and one of exclusion. Laboratory testing is largely focused on identifying precipitating factors. Ammonia levels in the blood can be helpful for the diagnosis of HE but are not required for confirmation. More recent literature is lending support to the prognostic capabilities of ammonia in cirrhosis, both in predicting future HE events and in determining outcomes in hospitalized patients. Accurate ammonia testing requires strict protocols to avoid common pitfalls in the measurement of this labile analyte. Future studies investigating the utility of other laboratory testing to diagnose, stage, or predict HE are encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Lee
- Department of Gastroenterology, California Pacific Medical Center
| | - R Todd Frederick
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Advanced Organ Therapies, California Pacific Medical Center.
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8
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Singh J, Ibrahim B, Han SH. Nontraditional Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:297-315. [PMID: 38548441 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is complex, with hyperammonemia playing a central role in its development. Traditional therapies for HE have targeted ammonia and include medications such as lactulose and rifaximin. Although these agents are considered standard of care, nontraditional treatments seek to affect other factors in the pathogenesis of HE. Finally, procedural therapies include albumin dialysis, shunt closure, and the ultimate cure for HE, which is liver transplant. The treatments discussed provide alternative options for patients who have failed standard of care. However, more high-quality studies are needed to routinely recommend many of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasleen Singh
- Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Brittney Ibrahim
- Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven-Huy Han
- Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA
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9
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Buckholz AP, Brown RS. Future Therapies of Hepatic Encephalopathy. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:331-344. [PMID: 38548443 PMCID: PMC10987054 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy, either covert or overt, affects more than half of patients with cirrhosis and has lasting effects even after portal hypertension is corrected. Unfortunately, the current therapeutic options still result in high rates of relapse and progression, in part owing to cost barriers and side effects, leading to poor adherence. This review summarizes emerging treatment options, which could take advantage of alternative disease pathways to improve future care of those with hepatic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Buckholz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York/Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical College, 1305 York Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Robert S Brown
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York/Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical College, 1305 York Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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10
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Sinha S, Hassan N, Schwartz RE. Organelle stress and alterations in interorganelle crosstalk during liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2024; 79:482-501. [PMID: 36626634 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The synchronous functioning and quality control of organelles ensure cell survival and function and are essential for maintaining homeostasis. Prolonged exposure to stressors (viruses, bacteria, parasitic infections, alcohol, drugs) or genetic mutations often disrupt the functional integrity of organelles which plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of several diseases including chronic liver diseases. One of the most important pathologic consequences of chronic liver diseases is liver fibrosis, characterized by tissue scarring due to the progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components. Left untreated, fibrosis may advance to life-threatening complications such as cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and HCC, which collectively accounts for ∼1 million deaths per year worldwide. Owing to the lack of treatment options that can regress or reverse cirrhosis, liver transplantation is currently the only available treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, the limited supply of usable donor organs, adverse effects of lifelong immunosuppressive regimes, and financial considerations pose major challenges and limit its application. Hence, effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. An improved understanding of the organelle-level regulation of fibrosis can help devise effective antifibrotic therapies focused on reducing organelle stress, limiting organelle damage, improving interorganelle crosstalk, and restoring organelle homeostasis; and could be a potential clinical option to avoid transplantation. This review provides a timely update on the recent findings and mechanisms covering organelle-specific dysfunctions in liver fibrosis, highlights how correction of organelle functions opens new treatment avenues and discusses the potential challenges to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Sinha
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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11
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Sakran N, Parmar C, Pouwels S. Nonhepatic hyperammonemic encephalopathy following bariatric surgery: A systematic review. Obes Res Clin Pract 2023; 17:458-467. [PMID: 38007358 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonhepatic Hyperammonemic encephalopathy (NHAE) following Bariatric Surgery (BS), mainly Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) is a potentially devastating condition if not diagnosed and managed promptly. METHODS A literature review was performed using PRISMA guidelines. Eighteen studies and 3 conference abstracts with a total of 33 patients were included in this review. RESULTS Majority (28 patients, 84.8 %) had RYGB. Seven patients (21.2 %) had associated metabolic disorders. 60 % of patients presented with neurological symptoms or signs such as confusion, cognitive and/or psychomotor changes, and decreased reflexes. Two patients presented with status epilepticus. In 30 of the 33 patients an elevated serum ammonia levels was reported (90.9 %). The overall mortality was 39.3 %. CONCLUSION NHAE is a rare condition following bariatric surgery (in particular bypass procedures), carrying a high mortality rate. The signs and symptoms are predominantly neurological and may be mistaken for Wernicke's encephalopathy or other more common neurological conditions. Serum ammonia levels should be checked in those who present with these symptoms and signs. Prompt treatment might be life saving in patients with NHAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Sakran
- Department of Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth, Israel, and the Azrieli, Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Chetan Parmar
- Department of Surgery, Whittington Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sjaak Pouwels
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Department of General, Abdominal Surgery and Coloproctology, Helios St. Elisabeth Klinik, Oberhausen, NRW, Germany; Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
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12
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Perricone G, Artzner T, De Martin E, Jalan R, Wendon J, Carbone M. Intensive care management of acute-on-chronic liver failure. Intensive Care Med 2023; 49:903-921. [PMID: 37552333 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-023-07149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a clinical syndrome defined by an acute deterioration of the liver function associated with extrahepatic organ failures requiring intensive care support and associated with a high short-term mortality. ACLF has emerged as a major cause of mortality in patients with cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. ACLF has a unique pathophysiology in which systemic inflammation plays a key role; this provides the basis of novel therapies, several of which are now in clinical trials. Intensive care unit (ICU) therapy parallels that applied in the general ICU population in some organ failures but has peculiar differential characteristics in others. Critical care management strategies and the option of liver transplantation (LT) should be balanced with futility considerations in those with a poor prognosis. Nowadays, LT is the only life-saving treatment that can radically improve the long-term prognosis of patients with ACLF. This narrative review will provide insights on the current understanding of ACLF with emphasis on intensive care management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Perricone
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162, Milan, Italy.
| | - Thierry Artzner
- Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eleonora De Martin
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Inserm UMR-S 1193, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, UK
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julia Wendon
- Liver Intensive Therapy Unit, Division of Inflammation Biology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Marco Carbone
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- European Reference Network On Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
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13
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Balzano T. Active Clinical Trials in Hepatic Encephalopathy: Something Old, Something New and Something Borrowed. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:2309-2319. [PMID: 36977964 PMCID: PMC10047473 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03916-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a potentially reversible neurocognitive syndrome that occurs in patients with acute or chronic liver disease. Currently, most of the therapies for HE aim to reduce ammonia production or increase its elimination. To date, only two agents have been approved as treatments for HE: lactulose and rifaximin. Many other drugs have also been used, but data to support their use are limited, preliminary or lacking. The aim of this review is to provide an overview and discussion of the current development of treatments for HE. Data from ongoing clinical trials in HE were obtained from the ClinicalTrials.gov website, and a breakdown analysis of studies that were active on August 19th, 2022, was performed. Seventeen registered and ongoing clinical trials for therapeutics targeting HE were identified. More than 75% of these agents are in phase II (41.2%) or in phase III (34.7%). Among them, there are many old acquaintances in the field, such as lactulose and rifaximin, some new entries such as fecal microbiota transplantation and equine anti-thymocyte globulin, an immunosuppressive agent, but also some therapies borrowed from other conditions, such as rifamycin SV MMX and nitazoxanide, two antimicrobial agents FDA approved for the treatment of some types of diarrheas or VE303 and RBX7455, two microbiome restoration therapies, currently used as treatment of high-risk Clostridioides difficile infections. If working, some of these drugs could soon be used as valid alternatives to current therapies when ineffective or be approved as novel therapeutic approaches to improve the quality of life of HE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Balzano
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain.
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14
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Abraldes JG, Caraceni P, Ghabril M, Garcia-Tsao G. Update in the Treatment of the Complications of Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:2100-2109. [PMID: 36972759 PMCID: PMC11097249 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Cirrhosis consists of 2 main stages: compensated and decompensated, the latter defined by the development/presence of ascites, variceal hemorrhage, and hepatic encephalopathy. The survival rate is entirely different, depending on the stage. Treatment with nonselective β-blockers prevents decompensation in patients with clinically significant portal hypertension, changing the previous paradigm based on the presence of varices. In patients with acute variceal hemorrhage at high risk of failure with standard treatment (defined as those with a Child-Pugh score of 10-13 or those with a Child-Pugh score of 8-9 with active bleeding at endoscopy), a pre-emptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) improves the mortality rate and has become the standard of care in many centers. In patients with bleeding from gastrofundal varices, retrograde transvenous obliteration (in those with a gastrorenal shunt) and/or variceal cyanoacrylate injection have emerged as alternatives to TIPS. In patients with ascites, emerging evidence suggests that TIPS might be used earlier, before strict criteria for refractory ascites are met. Long-term albumin use is under assessment for improving the prognosis of patients with uncomplicated ascites and confirmatory studies are ongoing. Hepatorenal syndrome is the least common cause of acute kidney injury in cirrhosis, and first-line treatment is the combination of terlipressin and albumin. Hepatic encephalopathy has a profound impact on the quality of life of patients with cirrhosis. Lactulose and rifaximin are first- and second-line treatments for hepatic encephalopathy, respectively. Newer therapies such as L-ornithine L-aspartate and albumin require further assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan G Abraldes
- Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Paolo Caraceni
- Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marwan Ghabril
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao
- Yale University School of Medicine, Veterans Administration - Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut.
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15
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Nanchal R, Subramanian R, Alhazzani W, Dionne JC, Peppard WJ, Singbartl K, Truwit J, Al-Khafaji AH, Killian AJ, Alquraini M, Alshammari K, Alshamsi F, Belley-Cote E, Cartin-Ceba R, Hollenberg SM, Galusca DM, Huang DT, Hyzy RC, Junek M, Kandiah P, Kumar G, Morgan RL, Morris PE, Olson JC, Sieracki R, Steadman R, Taylor B, Karvellas CJ. Guidelines for the Management of Adult Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the ICU: Neurology, Peri-Transplant Medicine, Infectious Disease, and Gastroenterology Considerations. Crit Care Med 2023; 51:657-676. [PMID: 37052436 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000005824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop evidence-based recommendations for clinicians caring for adults with acute liver failure (ALF) or acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) in the ICU. DESIGN The guideline panel comprised 27 members with expertise in aspects of care of the critically ill patient with liver failure or methodology. We adhered to the Society of Critical Care Medicine standard operating procedures manual and conflict-of-interest policy. Teleconferences and electronic-based discussion among the panel, as well as within subgroups, served as an integral part of the guideline development. INTERVENTIONS In part 2 of this guideline, the panel was divided into four subgroups: neurology, peri-transplant, infectious diseases, and gastrointestinal groups. We developed and selected Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes (PICO) questions according to importance to patients and practicing clinicians. For each PICO question, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis where applicable. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We used the evidence to decision framework to facilitate recommendations formulation as strong or conditional. We followed strict criteria to formulate best practice statements. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We report 28 recommendations (from 31 PICO questions) on the management ALF and ACLF in the ICU. Overall, five were strong recommendations, 21 were conditional recommendations, two were best-practice statements, and we were unable to issue a recommendation for five questions due to insufficient evidence. CONCLUSIONS Multidisciplinary, international experts formulated evidence-based recommendations for the management ALF and ACLF patients in the ICU, acknowledging that most recommendations were based on low quality and indirect evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Nanchal
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | | | - Waleed Alhazzani
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Joanna C Dionne
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David T Huang
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Mats Junek
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Gagan Kumar
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, GA
| | - Rebecca L Morgan
- Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Peter E Morris
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY
| | - Jody C Olson
- Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | | | - Randolph Steadman
- University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Constantine J Karvellas
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology (Liver Unit), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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16
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Nardelli S, Gioia S, Faccioli J, Riggio O, Ridola L. Hepatic encephalopathy - recent advances in treatment and diagnosis. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:225-235. [PMID: 36843291 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2023.2183386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a peculiar kind of brain dysfunction typical of liver cirrhosis characterized by nonspecific neurological and psychiatric manifestations. HE ranges from minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) to the most severe form characterized by alteration of consciousness or coma (overt HE, OHE). Once the diagnosis of OHE is made, every effort to identify and correct the precipitating cause is essential for the resolution of symptoms. Clinical studies that assessed the prevalence and incidence of any type of HE (MHE and OHE) in patients affected by cirrhosis were included in this review. No language, publication date, or publication status restrictions were imposed. The studies were identified by searching electronic databases (PubMed and SCOPUS). AREAS COVERED The most widely empirical pharmacological approach consists of non-absorbable antibiotics (rifaximin) and non-absorbable disaccharides (lactulose, lactitol per os and per enemas). Other agents (including branched-chain amino acids, probiotics, other antibiotics, or intravenous L-ornithine L-aspartate) are available, but the evidence supporting their efficacy remains under debate. EXPERT OPINION Gray areas and future needs remain the therapeutic approach to MHE and issues in the design of therapeutic studies for HE which have been extensively discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Nardelli
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Gioia
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica Faccioli
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Oliviero Riggio
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ridola
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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17
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Vidal-Cevallos P, Chávez-Tapia NC, Uribe M. Current approaches to hepatic encephalopathy. Ann Hepatol 2022; 27:100757. [PMID: 36115576 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a brain dysfunction caused by liver insufficiency and/or portosystemic shunts. Between 30%-40% of patients with cirrhosis will present overt HE during their lifetime. While the pathophysiology of HE is not entirely understood, three critical factors have been identified: hyperammonaemia, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress by glutaminase gene alterations. Minimal HE is defined by the presence of signs of cognitive abnormalities in a patient without asterixis or disorientation; it can only be diagnosed with neuropsychological or psychometric tests. The diagnosis of overt HE is based on clinical examination with clinical scales. Currently, only overt HE should be routinely treated. The aims of treatment in an acute episode should be to improve the mental status, identify and treat the precipitating factor, reduce duration and limit consequences. Treatment strategies are targeted at reducing ammonia production and/or increasing its elimination. Even though minimal HE has negative effects on the patient's quality of life and effects on prognosis, indications for treatment are still controversial. There are still many unanswered questions regarding the pathophysiology and management of HE. We should also endeavor to develop more accurate and objective diagnostic methods for overt HE that would permit early detection and help improve outcomes on quality of life and economic burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Vidal-Cevallos
- Obesity and Digestive Disease Unit, Medica Sur Clinic and Foundation, Puente de Piedra 150, col. Toriello Guerra, C.P. 14050, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Norberto C Chávez-Tapia
- Obesity and Digestive Disease Unit, Medica Sur Clinic and Foundation, Puente de Piedra 150, col. Toriello Guerra, C.P. 14050, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Misael Uribe
- Obesity and Digestive Disease Unit, Medica Sur Clinic and Foundation, Puente de Piedra 150, col. Toriello Guerra, C.P. 14050, Mexico City, Mexico.
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18
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Mallet M, Desplats V, Bouzbib C, Sultanik P, Alioua I, Marika Rudler MS, Weiss N, Thabut D. Blood ammonia in patients with chronic liver diseases: A better defined role in clinical practice. Anal Biochem 2022; 657:114873. [PMID: 36108794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia is one of the main players in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with chronic liver diseases. The usefulness of measuring ammonemia has been debated since many years. New data reveal that besides helping in the differential diagnosis of HE, ammonemia could be a prognostic marker not only in patients with HE, but also in patients without any neurological symptoms, suggesting a potential toxic role of ammonia beyond the brain. Finally, targeting ammonemia while monitoring therapeutic response could be a way to improve outcomes in patients with HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Mallet
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Victor Desplats
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Charlotte Bouzbib
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Philippe Sultanik
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Imen Alioua
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), MetaboHUB, F-91191, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - M S Marika Rudler
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Weiss
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Neurologie, Unité de Médecine Intensive Réanimation à orientation Neurologique, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France & Groupe de Recherche Clinique en REanimation et Soins intensifs du Patient en Insuffisance Respiratoire aiguE (GRC-RESPIRE) Sorbonne Université, France
| | - Dominique Thabut
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France.
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19
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Kortbeek S, Gilkes C, Khan A, Yeung AK. Secondary Ammonia Scavenge With Glycerol Phenylbutyrate Improves Hyperammonemia Following Portosystemic Shunting. JPGN REPORTS 2022; 3:e210. [PMID: 37168626 PMCID: PMC10158269 DOI: 10.1097/pg9.0000000000000210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Portosystemic shunts are used to treat portal hypertension arising from extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. They decompress the portal system by allowing intestinal blood to bypass the liver and enter directly into the systemic circulation. These shunts increase the risk of minimal hepatic encephalopathy and altered neurodevelopmental outcomes in affected children. Treatment options are limited and have been extrapolated from those used in cirrhosis. We describe the use of glycerol phenylbutyrate as an alternate management strategy. A 3-year-old boy underwent distal splenorenal shunt for refractory variceal bleeding secondary to portal hypertension. He had neurologic deterioration and hyperammonemia refractory to traditional management strategies. Glycerol phenylbutyrate was initiated and resulted in a sustained improvement in ammonia levels, behavior, and school performance. This case illustrates the successful use of glycerol phenylbutyrate in a noncirrhotic patient with Portosystemic shunt and minimal hepatic encephalopathy refractory to conventional management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kortbeek
- From the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christy Gilkes
- Section of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Aneal Khan
- Pediatrician and Medical Geneticist M.A.G.I.C. Clinic Ltd. in Calgary and Vancouver, Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, Metabolic Consultant, Department of Pediatrics, Saskatchewan Health Authority
| | - Alfred K. Yeung
- From the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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20
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Hepatic Encephalopathy: Current and Emerging Treatment Modalities. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:S9-S19. [PMID: 35940731 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a potentially reversible neurocognitive complication of cirrhosis. It has been reported in at least 30% of patients with cirrhosis and imposes a significant economic burden on caregivers and the healthcare system. Ammonia has been recognized as the culprit in HE development, and all the currently approved treatments mostly act on this toxin to help with HE resolution. After a brief overview of HE characteristics and pathophysiology, this review explores the current accepted treatments for this debilitating complication of cirrhosis. This is followed by an overview of the novel available therapies and a brief focus on future treatment modalities for HE.
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21
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Rajpurohit S, Musunuri B, Shailesh, Basthi Mohan P, Shetty S. Novel Drugs for the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy: Still a Long Journey to Travel. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2022; 12:1200-1214. [PMID: 35814520 PMCID: PMC9257922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2022.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the reversible complications of chronic liver disease, associated with a higher mortality rate. In current clinical practice, treatment with rifaximin and lactulose/lactitol is the first line of treatment in HE. With the advance in pathophysiology, a new class of ammonia lowering drugs has been revealed to overcome the hurdle and disease burden. The mechanism of the novel agents differs significantly and includes the alteration in intestinal microbiota, intestinal endothelial integrity, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and modulation of neurotoxins. Most of the trials have reported promising results in the treatment and prevention of HE with fecal microbiota transplantation, albumin, probiotics, flumazenil, polyethylene glycol, AST-120, glycerol phenylbutyrate, nitazoxanide, branched-chain amino acid, naloxone, and acetyl-l-carnitine. However, their clinical use is limited due to the presence of major drawbacks in their study design, sample size, safety profile, bias, and heterogenicity. This study will discuss the novel therapeutic targets for HE in liver cirrhosis patients with supporting clinical trial data.
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Key Words
- ALC, acetyl-L-carnitine
- BCAA, branched-chain amino acid
- BD, twice a day
- BDI, Beck Depression Inventory
- BUN, blood urea nitrogen
- CHESS, Clinical Hepatic Encephalopathy Staging Scale
- CLDQ, Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire
- ECT, estimated completion time
- EEG, electroencephalogram
- FMT, fecal microbiota transplantation
- GPB, glycerol phenylbutyrate
- HESA, Hepatic Encephalopathy Scoring Algorithm
- HRQOL, health-related quality of life
- IV, intravenous
- MED, Modified Encephalopathy Scale
- MELD, Model for End-stage Liver Disease
- MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination
- NTZ, nitazoxanide
- Nal, naloxone
- OD, once a day
- ORT, object recognition test
- PEG, polyethylene glycol
- QID, four times a day
- QOL, quality of life
- RBNS, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status
- RCT, randomized control trial
- RT-qPCR, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction
- TID, three times a day
- VSL#3, high concentration probiotic preparations
- hepatic encephalopathy
- liver cirrhosis
- novel drugs
- treatment outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddheesh Rajpurohit
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Balaji Musunuri
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Shailesh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Pooja Basthi Mohan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Shiran Shetty
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
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22
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Häussinger D, Dhiman RK, Felipo V, Görg B, Jalan R, Kircheis G, Merli M, Montagnese S, Romero-Gomez M, Schnitzler A, Taylor-Robinson SD, Vilstrup H. Hepatic encephalopathy. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2022; 8:43. [PMID: 35739133 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-022-00366-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a prognostically relevant neuropsychiatric syndrome that occurs in the course of acute or chronic liver disease. Besides ascites and variceal bleeding, it is the most serious complication of decompensated liver cirrhosis. Ammonia and inflammation are major triggers for the appearance of HE, which in patients with liver cirrhosis involves pathophysiologically low-grade cerebral oedema with oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation and disturbances of oscillatory networks in the brain. Severity classification and diagnostic approaches regarding mild forms of HE are still a matter of debate. Current medical treatment predominantly involves lactulose and rifaximin following rigorous treatment of so-called known HE precipitating factors. New treatments based on an improved pathophysiological understanding are emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Häussinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Radha K Dhiman
- Department of Hepatology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, (Uttar Pradesh), India
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Boris Görg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group ILDH, Division of Medicine, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Campus, London, UK.,European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerald Kircheis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Diabetology and Hepatology, University Hospital Brandenburg an der Havel, Brandenburg Medical School, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Manuela Merli
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Universita' degli Studi di Roma - Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Manuel Romero-Gomez
- UCM Digestive Diseases, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (HUVR/CSIC/US), University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Alfons Schnitzler
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Simon D Taylor-Robinson
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, St. Mary's Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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23
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García-Martínez R, Diaz-Ruiz R, Poncela M. Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy Associated with Advanced Liver Disease. Clin Drug Investig 2022; 42:5-13. [PMID: 35536537 PMCID: PMC9205788 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-022-01146-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a very prevalent condition in patients with advanced liver disease and has a high recurrence rate. The pathophysiology has a multifactorial origin where hyperammonaemia and inflammation become particularly relevant. There are no HE-specific diagnostic tests, and diagnosis is usually made by taking into account the presence of suggestive and compatible clinical symptoms, the existence of a predisposing liver condition and ruling out other causes with similar clinical manifestations. Once the diagnosis of HE is established, it is essential to carry out an adequate classification based on the underlying liver disease, the intensity of clinical manifestations, the temporal course of the disease and the presence or absence of precipitating factors. Treatment should be aimed at decreasing the duration, intensity and consequences of episodes, preventing recurrence and limiting the impact of the disease in patients and their relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita García-Martínez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gregorio Marañon University General Hospital, 28007, Madrid, Spain.
- School of Medicine, Complutense University Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- Online Center for Biomedical Research of Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Doctor Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raquel Diaz-Ruiz
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Gregorio Marañon University General Hospital, 28007, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Poncela
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Gregorio Marañon University General Hospital, 28007, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Hoilat GJ, Suhail FK, Adhami T, John S. Evidence-based approach to management of hepatic encephalopathy in adults. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:670-681. [PMID: 35646276 PMCID: PMC9099111 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i4.670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible syndrome of impaired brain function and represents one of the many complications of portal hypertension and decompensated liver disease. Although ammonia is clearly implicated in the pathogenesis of HE, the pathogenesis of HE is multifactorial with numerous mechanisms that results in functional impairment of neuronal cells. The initial management of HE focuses on supportive care and stabilization which includes providing appropriate nutritional support. Thereafter, focus should be on identifying and treating the precipitating factors. There are many therapeutic agents available for the management of HE, most of which are directed towards lowering the gut nitrogen load and thus the serum ammonia level. This review aims to provide an update on the conventional and emerging treatment options for HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Jadd Hoilat
- Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Fathima Keshia Suhail
- Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Talal Adhami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
| | - Savio John
- Department of Gastroenterology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
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25
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Kroupina K, Bémeur C, Rose CF. Amino acids, ammonia, and hepatic encephalopathy. Anal Biochem 2022; 649:114696. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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26
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Serum Ammonia in Cirrhosis: Clinical Impact of Hyperammonemia, Utility of Testing, and National Testing Trends. Clin Ther 2022; 44:e45-e57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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27
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Abstract
Hantavirus induced hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an emerging viral zoonosis affecting up to 200,000 humans annually worldwide. This review article is focused on recent advances in the mechanism, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of hantavirus induced HFRS. The importance of interactions between viral and host factors in the design of therapeutic strategies is discussed. Hantavirus induced HFRS is characterized by thrombocytopenia and proteinuria of varying severities. The mechanism of kidney injury appears immunopathological with characteristic deterioration of endothelial cell function and compromised barrier functions of the vasculature. Although multidisciplinary research efforts have provided insights about the loss of cellular contact in the endothelium leading to increased permeability, the details of the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The epidemiology of hantavirus induced renal failure is associated with viral species and the geographical location of the natural host of the virus. The development of vaccine and antiviral therapeutics is necessary to avoid potentially severe outbreaks of this zoonotic illness in the future. The recent groundbreaking approach to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine has revolutionized the general field of vaccinology and has provided new directions for the use of this promising platform for widespread vaccine development, including the development of hantavirus mRNA vaccine. The combinational therapies specifically targeted to inhibit hantavirus replication and vascular permeability in infected patients will likely improve the disease outcome.
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Saul Brusilow: Understanding and treating diseases of ammonia toxicity. Anal Biochem 2022; 636:114478. [PMID: 34808107 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This article reviews the scientific career and accomplishments of the late Dr. Saul Brusilow, Professor of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Brusilow's career was focused on diseases involving hyperammonemia. He and his colleagues developed a set of drugs that could lower ammonia levels in patients with genetic disorders of the urea cycle by providing alternative pathways for the synthesis of excretable nitrogenous molecules. Those drugs and their derivatives represent one of the earliest and most successful drug therapies for genetic diseases. Turning their attention to brain swelling caused by liver disease, Dr. Brusilow and colleagues developed the Osmotic Gliopathy Hypothesis to help explain the mechanism of ammonia toxicity, postulating that high ammonia drives glutamine synthetase in astrocytes to produce elevated levels of glutamine that act as a potent osmolyte, drawing water into the cell and causing cerebral edema. This hypothesis suggests that inhibiting glutamine synthetase with its well-characterized inhibitor, methionine sulfoximine, might prove therapeutic in cases of hepatic encephalopathy, a conclusion supported by their subsequent studies in animals. But although the drugs developed to treat hyperammonemia resulting from urea cycle disorders were successfully developed and approved by the FDA, the compound suggested as a treatment for hepatic encephalopathy was unable to attract sufficient interest and investment to be tested for use in humans.
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Hasan LZ, Wu GY. Novel Agents in the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Review. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:749-759. [PMID: 34722190 PMCID: PMC8516841 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy is an often devastating complication of chronic liver disease, associated with high mortality and increased burden on patients and healthcare systems. Current agents (such as nonabsorbable disaccharides and oral antibiotics) are often only partially effective and associated with unpleasant side effects. With our improved understanding of the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy, multiple treatment modalities have emerged with promising results when used alone or as an adjunct to standard medications. The mechanisms of these agents vary greatly, and include the manipulation of gut microbial composition, reduction of oxidative stress, inhibition of inflammatory mediators, protection of endothelial integrity, modulation of neurotransmitter release and function, and other novel methods to reduce blood ammonia and neurotoxins. Despite their promising results, the studies assessing these treatment modalities are often limited by study design, sample size, outcome assessment heterogeneity, and paucity of data regarding their safety profiles. In this article, we discuss these novel agents in depth and provide the best evidence supporting their use, along with a critical look at their limitations and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Z. Hasan
- Correspondence to: Leen Z. Hasan, Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine Residency Program, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-1235, USA. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3852-8591. Tel: +1-617-283-6633, Fax: +1-860-679-4613, E-mail: ,
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New Therapies of Liver Diseases: Hepatic Encephalopathy. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10184050. [PMID: 34575157 PMCID: PMC8472037 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of advanced liver disease which has profound implications in terms of the patients’ ability to fulfil their family and social roles, to drive and to provide for themselves. Recurrent and persistent HE is still a serious management challenge, translating into a significant burden for patients and their families, health services and society at large. The past few years have been characterized by significantly more attention towards HE and its implications; its definition has been refined and a small number of new drugs/alternative management strategies have become available, while others are underway. In this narrative review we summarize them in a pragmatic and hopefully useful fashion.
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A pilot study of golexanolone, a new GABA-A receptor-modulating steroid antagonist, in patients with covert hepatic encephalopathy. J Hepatol 2021; 75:98-107. [PMID: 33894327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Golexanolone is a novel small molecule GABA-A receptor-modulating steroid antagonist under development for the treatment of cognitive and vigilance disorders caused by allosteric over-activation of GABA-A receptors by neurosteroids. It restored spatial learning and motor coordination in animal models of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and mitigated the effects of intravenous allopregnanolone in healthy adults in a dose-dependent fashion. Herein, we report data on the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and efficacy of golexanolone in adult patients with cirrhosis. METHODS Following single/multiple ascending dose studies, adults with Child-Pugh A/B cirrhosis and abnormal continuous reaction time (CRT) on screening were randomized to 3 weeks' dosing with golexanolone (10, 40 or 80 mg BID) or placebo. CRT, psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES), animal naming test (ANT), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and electroencephalogram (mean dominant frequency [MDF]; delta+theta/alpha+beta ratio [DT/AB]) were obtained at baseline, 10, and 21 days. RESULTS Golexanolone exhibited satisfactory safety and PK. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 12 and 33 patients randomized to placebo or golexanolone, respectively. By prespecified analyses, golexanolone was associated with directionally favourable changes vs. placebo in ESS (p = 0.047), MDF (p = 0.142) and DT/AB (p = 0.021). All patients also showed directionally favourable changes in CRT, PHES and ANT, but with no statistical difference between golexanolone and placebo. Post hoc analyses taking into account the variability and improvement in CRT, PHES and ANT observed between screening and baseline suggested an efficacy signal by cognitive measures as well. CONCLUSION Golexanolone was well tolerated and associated with improvement in cognitive performance. These results implicate GABA-A receptor-modulating neurosteroids in the pathogenesis of HE and support the therapeutic potential of golexanolone. LAY SUMMARY Many patients with cirrhosis experience subtle but disabling cognitive problems, including sleepiness and poor attention span, that impair their ability to be gainfully employed or carry out activities of daily living. This pilot study tested the hypothesis that these problems with cognition, for which there is no approved treatment, might be improved by an experimental drug, golexanolone, designed to normalize the function of receptors which inhibit brain function. The results of this study suggest that golexanolone is well tolerated and may improve cognition, as reflected by measures of sleepiness, attention span and brain wave activity, paving the way for future larger studies of this promising experimental drug. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER EudraCT 2016-003651-30.
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Hey-Hadavi J, Seekins D, Palmer M, Coffey D, Caminis J, Abdullaev S, Patwardhan M, Tyler H, Raheja R, Stanley AM, Pineda-Salgado L, Bourdet DL, Andrade RJ, Hayashi PH, Dimick-Santos L, Rockey DC, Estilo A. Overview of Causality Assessment for Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI) in Clinical Trials. Drug Saf 2021; 44:619-634. [PMID: 33725335 PMCID: PMC8184702 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-021-01051-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Causality assessment for suspected drug-induced liver injury (DILI) during drug development and following approval is challenging. The IQ DILI Causality Working Group (CWG), in collaboration with academic and regulatory subject matter experts (SMEs), developed this manuscript with the following objectives: (1) understand and describe current practices; (2) evaluate the utility of new tools/methods/practice guidelines; (3) propose a minimal data set needed to assess causality; (4) define best practices; and (5) promote a more structured and universal approach to DILI causality assessment for clinical development. To better understand current practices, the CWG performed a literature review, took a survey of member companies, and collaborated with SMEs. Areas of focus included best practices for causality assessment during clinical development, utility of adjudication committees, and proposals for potential new avenues to improve causality assessment. The survey and literature review provided renewed understanding of the complexity and challenges of DILI causality assessment as well as the use of non-standardized approaches. Potential areas identified for consistency and standardization included role and membership of adjudication committees, standardized minimum dataset, updated assessment tools, and best practices for liver biopsy and rechallenge in the setting of DILI. Adjudication committees comprised of SMEs (i.e., utilizing expert opinion) remain the standard for DILI causality assessment. A variety of working groups continue to make progress in pursuing new tools to assist with DILI causality assessment. The minimum dataset deemed adequate for causality assessment provides a path forward for standardization of data collection in the setting of DILI. Continued progress is necessary to optimize and advance innovative tools necessary for the scientific, pharmaceutical, and regulatory community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melissa Palmer
- Takeda, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Liver Consulting LLC, New York City, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Haifa Tyler
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization, Inc., 508 Carnegie Center Dr, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA
| | | | | | - Liliam Pineda-Salgado
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization, Inc., 508 Carnegie Center Dr, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA
| | | | - Raul J Andrade
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Aparato Digestivo, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Universidad de Málaga, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas CIBERehd, Málaga, Spain
| | | | | | - Don C Rockey
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Alvin Estilo
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization, Inc., 508 Carnegie Center Dr, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA.
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Butterworth RF. Ammonia Removal by Metabolic Scavengers for the Prevention and Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhosis. Drugs R D 2021; 21:123-132. [PMID: 33890246 PMCID: PMC8206241 DOI: 10.1007/s40268-021-00345-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective lowering of circulating ammonia is the mainstay strategy in the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis and there is increasing interest in agents with the metabolic potential for the active removal of ammonia by the liver and skeletal muscle by agents including L-ornithine L-aspartate, branched-chain amino acids, as well as the re-purposing of benzoate and phenylacetate currently employed for the control of hyperammonaemia in congenital urea-cycle enzymopathies. Based upon results of multiple systematic reviews with meta-analyses, L-ornithine L-aspartate demonstrably lowers circulating ammonia in patients with cirrhosis with concomitantly improved mental status. Distinct mechanisms responsible include optimisation of hepatic metabolic pathways for ammonia removal as well as direct hepatoprotective effects involving the release of glutathione and of nitric oxide with beneficial effects on hepatic microcirculation. L-ornithine L-aspartate also prevents cirrhosis-related sarcopenia, leading to increased capacity for ammonia removal by skeletal muscle. Branched-chain amino acids continue to be prescribed as nutritional supplements with the potential to result in improvements in liver function. Sodium benzoate, glycerol phenylbutyrate and an analogous compound L-ornithine phenylacetate were also evaluated. Glycerol phenylbutyrate was the only agent with a beneficial effect on both hyperammonaemia and hepatic encephalopathy. None were superior to lactulose for the lowering of blood ammonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger F Butterworth
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, 45143 Cabot Trail, Englishtown, NS, B0C 1H0, Canada.
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Treem WR, Palmer M, Lonjon-Domanec I, Seekins D, Dimick-Santos L, Avigan MI, Marcinak JF, Dash A, Regev A, Maller E, Patwardhan M, Lewis JH, Rockey DC, Di Bisceglie AM, Freston JW, Andrade RJ, Chalasani N. Consensus Guidelines: Best Practices for Detection, Assessment and Management of Suspected Acute Drug-Induced Liver Injury During Clinical Trials in Adults with Chronic Viral Hepatitis and Adults with Cirrhosis Secondary to Hepatitis B, C and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Drug Saf 2021; 44:133-165. [PMID: 33141341 PMCID: PMC7847464 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-020-01014-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
With the widespread development of new drugs to treat chronic liver diseases (CLDs), including viral hepatitis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), more patients are entering trials with abnormal baseline liver tests and with advanced liver injury, including cirrhosis. The current regulatory guidelines addressing the monitoring, diagnosis, and management of suspected drug-induced liver injury (DILI) during clinical trials primarily address individuals entering with normal baseline liver tests. Using the same laboratory criteria cited as signals of potential DILI in studies involving patients with no underlying liver disease and normal baseline liver tests may result in premature and unnecessary cessation of a study drug in a clinical trial population whose abnormal and fluctuating liver tests are actually due to their underlying CLD. This position paper focuses on defining best practices for the detection, monitoring, diagnosis, and management of suspected acute DILI during clinical trials in patients with CLD, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), both with and without cirrhosis and NASH with cirrhosis. This is one of several position papers developed by the IQ DILI Initiative, comprising members from 16 pharmaceutical companies in collaboration with DILI experts from academia and regulatory agencies. It is based on an extensive literature review and discussions between industry members and experts from outside industry to achieve consensus regarding the recommendations. Key conclusions and recommendations include (1) the importance of establishing laboratory criteria that signal potential DILI events and that fit the disease indication being studied in the clinical trial based on knowledge of the natural history of test fluctuations in that disease; (2) establishing a pretreatment value that is based on more than one screening determination, and revising that baseline during the trial if a new nadir is achieved during treatment; (3) basing rules for increased monitoring and for stopping drug for potential DILI on multiples of baseline liver test values and/or a threshold value rather than multiples of the upper limit of normal (ULN) for that test; (4) making use of more sensitive tests of liver function, including direct bilirubin (DB) or combined parameters such as aspartate transaminase:alanine transaminase (AST:ALT) ratio or model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) to signal potential DILI, especially in studies of patients with cirrhosis; and (5) being aware of potential confounders related to complications of the disease being studied that may masquerade as DILI events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa Palmer
- Takeda, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Liver Consulting LLC, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mark I Avigan
- US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | - Ajit Dash
- , Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arie Regev
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Eric Maller
- Pfizer, Collegeville, PA, USA
- MEMS Biopharma Consulting, LLC, Wynnewood, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Don C Rockey
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - James W Freston
- University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Raul J Andrade
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Aparato Digestivo, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas CIBERehd, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Naga Chalasani
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Chu YY, Wang X, Dai HL. Update on pharmacotherapy of hepatic encephalopathy. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2021; 29:58-64. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v29.i2.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a central nervous system disease caused by serious liver diseases or various portal vein systemic circulation abnormalities. The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of HE have not been fully elucidated yet, and among others, the most important is still the theory of ammonia intoxication proposed in the 1930s. Therefore, reducing blood ammonia is currently the main therapeutic strategy for HE, along with improving nervous system function. Thanks to the clarification of the mechanism underlying ammonia-induced brain cell injury in recent years, researchers have proposed some novel therapeutic targets and related drugs. This work will make a brief summary regarding the update of HE drugs with regard to ammonia reduction, nervous system improvement, and intervention of ammonia toxicity targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ying Chu
- School of Nursing, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xue Wang
- School of Nursing, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Hong-Liang Dai
- School of Nursing, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China
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Rose CF, Amodio P, Bajaj JS, Dhiman RK, Montagnese S, Taylor-Robinson SD, Vilstrup H, Jalan R. Hepatic encephalopathy: Novel insights into classification, pathophysiology and therapy. J Hepatol 2020; 73:1526-1547. [PMID: 33097308 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent and serious complication of both chronic liver disease and acute liver failure. HE manifests as a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities, from subclinical changes (mild cognitive impairment) to marked disorientation, confusion and coma. The clinical and economic burden of HE is considerable, and it contributes greatly to impaired quality of life, morbidity and mortality. This review will critically discuss the latest classification of HE, as well as the pathogenesis and pathophysiological pathways underlying the neurological decline in patients with end-stage liver disease. In addition, management strategies, diagnostic approaches, currently available therapeutic options and novel treatment strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Rose
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Piero Amodio
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Radha Krishan Dhiman
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Simon D Taylor-Robinson
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, St. Mary's Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom; European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain.
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Bajaj JS, Lauridsen M, Tapper EB, Duarte-Rojo A, Rahimi RS, Tandon P, Shawcross DL, Thabut D, Dhiman RK, Romero-Gomez M, Sharma BC, Montagnese S. Important Unresolved Questions in the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy: An ISHEN Consensus. Am J Gastroenterol 2020; 115:989-1002. [PMID: 32618647 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Management of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) remains challenging from a medical and psychosocial perspective. Members of the International Society for Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism recognized 5 key unresolved questions in HE management focused on (i) driving, (ii) ammonia levels in clinical practice, (iii) testing strategies for covert or minimal HE, (iv) therapeutic options, and (v) nutrition and patient-reported outcomes. The consensus document addresses these topical issues with a succinct review of the literature and statements that critically evaluate the current science and practice, laying the groundwork for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Virginia Commonwealth University, McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dominique Thabut
- Paris Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Radha K Dhiman
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
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Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the major clinical decompensations of cirrhosis, with a high impact on health care resource utilization and cost. For an effective and comprehensive management of HE, the clinicians need to understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms of HE. This review describes the multiorgan processes involved in HE and how several HE precipitants and treatment strategies act on ammonia production, excretion, and neurotoxicity, including the impact of diabetes and use of cannabinoids. The authors also discuss the current and future role of gut microbiome, systemic/central inflammation, and various neurotransmitters for the pathogenesis and treatment of HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Jaffe
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, LMP 1080, New Haven, CT 06520-8019, USA
| | - Joseph K Lim
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, LMP 1080, New Haven, CT 06520-8019, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sofia Simona Jakab
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, LMP 1080, New Haven, CT 06520-8019, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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Mahpour NY, Pioppo-Phelan L, Reja M, Tawadros A, Rustgi VK. Pharmacologic Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy. Clin Liver Dis 2020; 24:231-242. [PMID: 32245530 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacologic management of hepatic encephalopathy includes a broad range of therapies. This article covers the specific mainstays of therapies, such as antimicrobials and laxatives, with an established evidence base. This article also covers newer modalities of therapies, such as fecal microbiota transplant, probiotics, bioartificial support systems, small molecular therapies such as l-ornithine l-aspartate, branched chain amino acids, l-carnitine, zinc, and other forms of therapy currently under review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Y Mahpour
- Department of Internal Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Lauren Pioppo-Phelan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Mishal Reja
- Department of Internal Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Augustine Tawadros
- Department of Internal Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Vinod K Rustgi
- Center for Liver Diseases and Liver Masses, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, MedEd Building, Room 466, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
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Abstract
Despite widespread use of lactulose and rifaximin for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, this complication of advanced liver disease remains a major burden on the health care system in the United States and continues to predispose to high morbidity and mortality. Several agents have surfaced over recent years with promise to treat hepatic encephalopathy and mitigate the cognitive impairment associated with this disease process. The purpose of this article is to highlight the leading emerging therapies in hepatic encephalopathy as well as their therapeutic targets.
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Yanny B, Winters A, Boutros S, Saab S. Hepatic Encephalopathy Challenges, Burden, and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach. Clin Liver Dis 2019; 23:607-623. [PMID: 31563214 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. The impact of HE on the health care system is similarly profound. The number of hospital admissions for HE has increased in the last 10-year period. HE is a huge burden to the patients, care givers, and the health care system. HE represents a "revolving door" with readmission, severely affects care givers, and has effects on cognition that can persists after liver transplant. This article reviews the current literature to discuss the challenges and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beshoy Yanny
- Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, 1223 16th street, suite 3100, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA.
| | - Adam Winters
- Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, 1223 16th street, suite 3100, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
| | - Sandra Boutros
- Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, 200 medical plaza, 3rd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sammy Saab
- Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, 1223 16th street, suite 3100, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, 200 medical plaza, 3rd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Nursing, University of California at Los Angeles, 200 medical plaza, 3rd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Hendrikx L, Brandts H, van Borren M, de Boer H. Recurrent Hyperammonemia During Enteral Tube Feeding for Severe Protein Malnutrition After Bariatric Surgery. Obes Surg 2019; 29:4127-4130. [DOI: 10.1007/s11695-019-04231-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Levitt MD, Levitt DG. Use Of Quantitative Modelling To Elucidate The Roles Of The Liver, Gut, Kidney, And Muscle In Ammonia Homeostasis And How Lactulose And Rifaximin Alter This Homeostasis. Int J Gen Med 2019; 12:367-380. [PMID: 31686894 PMCID: PMC6798813 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s218405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans must eliminate approximately 1M of ammonia per day while maintaining the blood concentration of this potent neurotoxin at a concentration of only about 30 µM. The mechanisms producing such effective ammonia homeostasis are poorly understood by clinicians due to the multiple organs (liver, gut, kidney and muscle) involved in ammonia homeostasis. Based on literature values we present a novel, simplified description of normal and disordered ammonia and the potential mechanisms whereby the drugs used to treat hepatic encephalopathy, lactulose and rifaximin, lower the blood ammonia concentration. Concepts discussed include the following: 1) only about 44 mmol of ammonia/day (4.4% of total production) reaches the peripheral circulation due to the efficient linkage of amino deamination and the urea cycle in hepatic mitochondria; 2) the gut and kidney contribute roughly equally to delivery of this 44 mmol/day to systemic blood; 3) the bulk of gut ammonia production seemingly originates in the small bowel from bacterial deamination of urea by bacteria and mucosal deamination of circulating and ingested glutamine; 4) the apparent production of ammonia in the small bowel markedly exceeds that quantity that enters the portal blood, indicating that ammonia disposal mechanisms in the small bowel play a major role in ammonia homeostasis. With regard to the hyperammonemia of chronic liver disease: 1) shunting of portal blood around the liver, by itself, can account for commonly observed ammonia elevations; 2) severe portal hypertension causes an increased release of ammonia by the kidney; 3) high blood ammonia is associated with an unexplained massive increase in the muscle uptake of ammonia that could play an important role in limiting hyperammonemia; and 4) a major action of lactulose administration may be the enhancement of ammonia uptake by small bowel bacteria, while the mechanism of action of rifaximin is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Levitt
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
| | - David G Levitt
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Juanola O, Ferrusquía-Acosta J, García-Villalba R, Zapater P, Magaz M, Marín A, Olivas P, Baiges A, Bellot P, Turon F, Hernández-Gea V, González-Navajas JM, Tomás-Barberán FA, García-Pagán JC, Francés R. Circulating levels of butyrate are inversely related to portal hypertension, endotoxemia, and systemic inflammation in patients with cirrhosis. FASEB J 2019; 33:11595-11605. [PMID: 31345057 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901327r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are gut microbiota-derived products that participate in maintaining the gut barrier integrity and host's immune response. We hypothesize that reduced SCFA levels are associated with systemic inflammation, endotoxemia, and more severe hemodynamic alterations in cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis referred for a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement (n = 62) or a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement (n = 12) were included. SCFAs were measured in portal (when available), hepatic, and peripheral blood samples by GC-MS. Serum endotoxins, proinflammatory cytokines, and NO levels were quantified. SCFA levels were significantly higher in portal vs. hepatic and peripheral blood. There were inverse relationships between SCFAs and the severity of disease. SCFAs (mainly butyric acid) inversely correlated with the model for end-stage liver disease score and were further reduced in patients with history of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. There was an inverse relationship between butyric acid and HVPG values. SCFAs were directly related with systemic vascular resistance and inversely with cardiac index. Butyric acid inversely correlated with inflammatory markers and serum endotoxin. A global reduction in the blood levels of SCFA in patients with cirrhosis is associated with a more advanced liver disease, suggesting its contribution to disease progression.-Juanola, O., Ferrusquía-Acosta, J., García-Villalba, R., Zapater, P., Magaz, M., Marín, A., Olivas, P., Baiges, A., Bellot, P., Turon, F., Hernández-Gea, V., González-Navajas, J. M., Tomás-Barberán, F. A., García-Pagán, J. C., Francés, R. Circulating levels of butyrate are inversely related to portal hypertension, endotoxemia, and systemic inflammation in patients with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Juanola
- Departamento Medicina Clínica, Grupo de Inmunobiología Hepática e Intestinal, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Spain.,El Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - José Ferrusquía-Acosta
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío García-Villalba
- Quality, Safety, and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Zapater
- Departamento Medicina Clínica, Grupo de Inmunobiología Hepática e Intestinal, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Spain.,El Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Magaz
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Marín
- Quality, Safety, and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Pol Olivas
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Baiges
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Bellot
- El Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fanny Turon
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M González-Navajas
- El Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco A Tomás-Barberán
- Quality, Safety, and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan C García-Pagán
- Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Francés
- Departamento Medicina Clínica, Grupo de Inmunobiología Hepática e Intestinal, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Spain.,El Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy in the Neurocritical Care Unit. Neurocrit Care 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/9781107587908.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Zacharias HD, Zacharias AP, Gluud LL, Morgan MY. Pharmacotherapies that specifically target ammonia for the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in adults with cirrhosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 6:CD012334. [PMID: 31204790 PMCID: PMC6572872 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012334.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic encephalopathy is a common complication of cirrhosis, with high related morbidity and mortality. Its presence is associated with a wide spectrum of change ranging from clinically obvious neuropsychiatric features, known as 'overt' hepatic encephalopathy, to abnormalities manifest only on psychometric or electrophysiological testing, 'minimal' hepatic encephalopathy. The exact pathogenesis of the syndrome is unknown but ammonia plays a key role. Drugs that specifically target ammonia include sodium benzoate, glycerol phenylbutyrate, ornithine phenylacetate, AST-120 (spherical carbon adsorbent), and polyethylene glycol. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of pharmacotherapies that specifically target ammonia versus placebo, no intervention, or other active interventions, for the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and three other databases to March 2019. We also searched online trials registries such as ClinicalTrials.gov, European Medicines Agency, WHO International Clinical Trial Registry Platform, and the Food and Drug Administration for ongoing or unpublished trials. In addition, we searched conference proceedings, checked bibliographies, and corresponded with investigators. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised clinical trials comparing sodium benzoate, glycerol phenylbutyrate, ornithine phenylacetate, AST-120, and polyethylene glycol versus placebo or non-absorbable disaccharides, irrespective of blinding, language, or publication status. We included participants with minimal or overt hepatic encephalopathy or participants who were at risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data from the included reports. The primary outcomes were mortality, hepatic encephalopathy, and serious adverse events. We undertook meta-analyses and presented results using risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD), both with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and I2 statistic values as a marker of heterogeneity. We assessed bias control using the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary domains and the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We identified 11 randomised clinical trials that fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Two trials evaluated the prevention of hepatic encephalopathy while nine evaluated the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. The trials assessed sodium benzoate (three trials), glycerol phenylbutyrate (one trial), ornithine phenylacetate (two trials), AST-120 (two trials), and polyethylene glycol (three trials). Overall, 499 participants received these pharmacotherapies while 444 participants received a placebo preparation or a non-absorbable disaccharide. We classified eight of the 11 trials as at 'high risk of bias' and downgraded the certainty of the evidence to very low for all outcomes.Eleven trials, involving 943 participants, reported mortality data, although there were no events in five trials. Our analyses found no beneficial or harmful effects of sodium benzoate versus non-absorbable disaccharides (RR 1.26, 95% CI 0.49 to 3.28; 101 participants; 2 trials; I2 = 0%), glycerol phenylbutyrate versus placebo (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.11 to 3.81; 178 participants; 1 trial), ornithine phenylacetate versus placebo (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.51; 269 participants; 2 trials; I2 = 0%), AST-120 versus lactulose (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.85; 41 participants; 1 trial), or polyethylene glycol versus lactulose (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.64; 190 participants; 3 trials; I2 = 0%).Seven trials involving 521 participants reported data on hepatic encephalopathy. Our analyses showed a beneficial effect of glycerol phenylbutyrate versus placebo (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.90; 178 participants; 1 trial; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 6), and of polyethylene glycol versus lactulose (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.44; 190 participants; 3 trials; NNTB 4). We did not observe beneficial effects in the remaining three trials with extractable data: sodium benzoate versus non-absorbable disaccharides (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.51 to 2.93; 74 participants; 1 trial); ornithine phenylacetate versus placebo (RR 2.71, 95% CI 0.12 to 62.70; 38 participants; 1 trial); or AST-120 versus lactulose (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.85; 41 participants; 1 trial).Ten trials, involving 790 participants, reported a total of 130 serious adverse events. Our analyses found no evidence of beneficial or harmful effects of sodium benzoate versus non-absorbable disaccharides (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.44 to 2.68; 101 participants; 2 trials), glycerol phenylbutyrate versus placebo (RR 1.63, 95% CI 0.85 to 3.13; 178 participants; 1 trial), ornithine phenylacetate versus placebo (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.36; 264 participants; 2 trials; I2 = 0%), or polyethylene glycol versus lactulose (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.82; 190 participants; 3 trials; I2 = 0%). Likewise, eight trials, involving 782 participants, reported a total of 374 non-serious adverse events and again our analyses found no beneficial or harmful effects of the pharmacotherapies under review when compared to placebo or to lactulose/lactitol.Nine trials, involving 733 participants, reported data on blood ammonia. We observed significant reductions in blood ammonia in placebo-controlled trials evaluating sodium benzoate (MD -32.00, 95% CI -46.85 to -17.15; 16 participants; 1 trial), glycerol phenylbutyrate (MD -12.00, 95% CI -23.37 to -0.63; 178 participants; 1 trial), ornithine phenylacetate (MD -27.10, 95% CI -48.55 to -5.65; 231 participants; 1 trial), and AST-120 (MD -22.00, 95% CI -26.75 to -17.25; 98 participants; 1 trial). However, there were no significant differences in blood ammonia concentrations in comparison with lactulose/lactitol with sodium benzoate (MD 9.00, 95% CI -1.10 to 19.11; 85 participants; 2 trials; I2 = 0%), AST-120 (MD 5.20, 95% CI -2.75 to 13.15; 35 participants; 1 trial), and polyethylene glycol (MD -29.28, 95% CI -95.96 to 37.39; 90 participants; 2 trials; I2 = 88%). FUNDING Five trials received support from pharmaceutical companies while four did not; two did not provide this information. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence to determine the effects of these pharmacotherapies on the prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in adults with cirrhosis. They have the potential to reduce blood ammonia concentrations when compared to placebo, but their overall effects on clinical outcomes of interest and the potential harms associated with their use remain uncertain. Further evidence is needed to evaluate the potential beneficial and harmful effects of these pharmacotherapies in this clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry D Zacharias
- Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College LondonUCL Institute for Liver & Digestive HealthLondonUKNW3 2PF
| | - Antony P Zacharias
- Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College LondonUCL Institute for Liver & Digestive HealthLondonUKNW3 2PF
| | - Lise Lotte Gluud
- Copenhagen University Hospital HvidovreGastrounit, Medical DivisionKettegaards Alle 30HvidovreDenmark2650
| | - Marsha Y Morgan
- Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College LondonUCL Institute for Liver & Digestive HealthLondonUKNW3 2PF
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Luangmonkong T, Suriguga S, Mutsaers HAM, Groothuis GMM, Olinga P, Boersema M. Targeting Oxidative Stress for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 175:71-102. [PMID: 29728869 DOI: 10.1007/112_2018_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a reflection of the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the scavenging capacity of the antioxidant system. Excessive ROS, generated from various endogenous oxidative biochemical enzymes, interferes with the normal function of liver-specific cells and presumably plays a role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Once exposed to harmful stimuli, Kupffer cells (KC) are the main effectors responsible for the generation of ROS, which consequently affect hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and hepatocytes. ROS-activated HSC undergo a phenotypic switch and deposit an excessive amount of extracellular matrix that alters the normal liver architecture and negatively affects liver function. Additionally, ROS stimulate necrosis and apoptosis of hepatocytes, which causes liver injury and leads to the progression of end-stage liver disease. In this review, we overview the role of ROS in liver fibrosis and discuss the promising therapeutic interventions related to oxidative stress. Most importantly, novel drugs that directly target the molecular pathways responsible for ROS generation, namely, mitochondrial dysfunction inhibitors, endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitors, NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitors, and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-affecting agents, are reviewed in detail. In addition, challenges for targeting oxidative stress in the management of liver fibrosis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theerut Luangmonkong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Su Suriguga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henricus A M Mutsaers
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Geny M M Groothuis
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology and Targeting, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Olinga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Miriam Boersema
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hepatic encephalopathy is one of the most debilitating clinical manifestations of cirrhosis and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment modalities available include the nonabsorbable disaccharides (lactulose) and the nonabsorbable antibiotics (rifaximin). RECENT FINDINGS Newer therapeutic targets under evaluation include ammonia scavengers (ornithine phenylacetate) and modulation of gut microbiota (fecal microbiota transplantation). SUMMARY This review will focus on the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy along with an update on therapeutic targets under investigation.
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González-Regueiro J, la Tijera MHD, Moreno-Alcántar R, Torre A. Pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy and future treatment options. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA DE MÉXICO (ENGLISH EDITION) 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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