1
|
Almenara S, Lozano-Ruiz B, Herrera I, Gimenez P, Miralles C, Bellot P, Rodriguez M, Palazon JM, Tarín F, Sarmiento H, Francés R, Gonzalez-Navajas JM, Pascual S, Zapater P. Immune changes over time and survival in patients with cirrhosis treated with non-selective beta-blockers: A prospective longitudinal study. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114885. [PMID: 37201262 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114885] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment with non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) has been associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects in patients with cirrhosis. This study aims to analyze the impact of chronic NSBB treatment on immune activation and disease progression in stable outpatients with cirrhosis. METHODS In this prospective follow-up of 150 patients with cirrhosis, 39 received treatment with NSBB. Blood samples were taken every 6-9 months, and immune and adrenergic variables were measured. Mixed linear models were used to assess the effect of NSBB on these variables over time. Multivariate Cox regression was used to study associations with adverse clinical events (hepatocellular carcinoma, death, or liver transplant). RESULTS Median follow-up was 1635 days. NSBB treatment was associated with significantly lower levels of IL-6 (β - 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] -6.9, -2.6) throughout the study. During follow-up, 11 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma, 32 died, and 4 underwent liver transplant. Patients with higher concentrations of IL-10, IL-6 and IFN-γ developed more clinical events. Event-free survival was significantly better in patients treated with NSBB (hazard ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.18, 0.71) in a multivariate Cox regression adjusted for Child-Pugh-Score, esophageal varices, and platelets. CONCLUSION Chronic treatment with NSBB in patients with stable cirrhosis gives rise to a different state of immune activation, characterized by lower concentrations of IL-6 over time, and it is associated with a reduced risk of adverse event (death, hepatocellular carcinoma, or transplant), after controlling for disease severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Almenara
- CIBERehd, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Clinical Pharmacology Unit. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain; Institute of Research, Development, and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), University Miguel Hernández de Elche, Spain; Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Beatriz Lozano-Ruiz
- CIBERehd, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Research, Development, and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), University Miguel Hernández de Elche, Spain
| | - Ivan Herrera
- Liver Unit. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Paula Gimenez
- CIBERehd, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Bellot
- Liver Unit. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Maria Rodriguez
- Liver Unit. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jose M Palazon
- Liver Unit. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Fabián Tarín
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain; Hematology Department. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Héctor Sarmiento
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain; Hematology Department. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Rubén Francés
- CIBERehd, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain; Clinical Medicine Department, University Miguel Hernández de Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Navajas
- CIBERehd, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Research, Development, and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), University Miguel Hernández de Elche, Spain; Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Sonia Pascual
- CIBERehd, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain; Liver Unit. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Pedro Zapater
- CIBERehd, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Clinical Pharmacology Unit. Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain; Institute of Research, Development, and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), University Miguel Hernández de Elche, Spain; Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sauerbruch T, Hennenberg M, Trebicka J, Schierwagen R. Beta-blockers in patients with liver cirrhosis: Pragmatism or perfection? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1100966. [PMID: 36743678 PMCID: PMC9891090 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1100966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
With increasing decompensation, hyperdynamic circulatory disturbance occurs in liver cirrhosis despite activation of vasoconstrictors. Here, the concept of a therapy with non-selective beta-blockers was established decades ago. They lower elevated portal pressure, protect against variceal hemorrhage, and may also have pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects. Recently, the beneficial effect of carvedilol, which blocks alpha and beta receptors, has been highlighted. Carvedilol leads to "biased-signaling" via recruitment of beta-arrestin. This effect and its consequences have not been sufficiently investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis. Also, a number of questions remain open regarding the expression of beta-receptors and its intracellular signaling and the respective consequences in the intra- and extrahepatic tissue compartments. Despite the undisputed role of non-selective beta-blockers in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, we still can improve the knowledge as to when and how beta-blockers should be used in which patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Sauerbruch
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany,*Correspondence: Tilman Sauerbruch,
| | - Martin Hennenberg
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany,European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert Schierwagen
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jachs M, Hartl L, Schaufler D, Desbalmes C, Simbrunner B, Eigenbauer E, Bauer DJM, Paternostro R, Schwabl P, Scheiner B, Bucsics T, Stättermayer AF, Pinter M, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T. Amelioration of systemic inflammation in advanced chronic liver disease upon beta-blocker therapy translates into improved clinical outcomes. Gut 2021; 70:1758-1767. [PMID: 33199442 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic inflammation promotes the development of clinical events in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). We assessed whether (1) non-selective beta blocker (NSBB) treatment initiation impacts biomarkers of systemic inflammation and (2) whether these changes in systemic inflammation predict complications and mortality. DESIGN Biomarkers of systemic inflammation, that is, white blood cell count (WBC), C reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) were determined at sequential hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements without NSBB and under stable NSBB intake. The influence of NSBB-related changes in systemic inflammation on the risk of decompensation and liver-related death was analysed using competing risk regression. RESULTS Our study comprised 307 stable patients with ACLD (Child-A: 77 (25.1%), Child-B: 161 (52.4%), Child-C: 69 (22.5%), median HVPG: 20 (IQR 17-24) mm Hg) including 231 (75.2%) with decompensated disease.WBC significantly decreased upon NSBB therapy initiation (median: -2 (IQR -19;+13)%, p=0.011) in the overall cohort. NSBB-related reductions of WBC (Child-C: -16 (-30;+3)% vs Child-B: -2 (-16;+16)% vs Child-A: +3 (-7;+13)%, p<0.001) and of CRP (Child-C: -26 (-56,+8)% vs Child-B: -16 (-46;+13)% vs Child-A: ±0 (-33;+33)%, p<0.001) were more pronounced in advanced stages of cirrhosis. The NSBB-associated changes in WBC correlated with changes in CRP (Spearman's ρ=0.228, p<0.001), PCT (ρ=0.470, p=0.002) and IL-6 (ρ=0.501, p=0.001), but not with changes in HVPG (ρ=0.097, p=0.088).An NSBB-related decrease in systemic inflammation (ie, WBC reduction ≥15%) was achieved by n=91 (29.6%) patients and was found to be an independent protective factor of further decompensation (subdistribution HR, sHR: 0.694 (0.49-0.98), p=0.038) in decompensated patients and of liver-related mortality in the overall patient cohort (sHR: 0.561 (0.356-0.883), p=0.013). CONCLUSION NSBB therapy seems to exert systemic anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by reductions of WBC and CRP levels. Interestingly, this effect was most pronounced in Child-C and independent of HVPG response. An NSBB-related WBC reduction by ≥15% was associated with a decreased risk of further decompensation and death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Jachs
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Hartl
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dunja Schaufler
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Desbalmes
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafael Paternostro
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Bucsics
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Matthias Pinter
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria .,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|