1
|
Sanyal AJ, Kaplan LM, Frias JP, Brouwers B, Wu Q, Thomas MK, Harris C, Schloot NC, Du Y, Mather KJ, Haupt A, Hartman ML. Triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized phase 2a trial. Nat Med 2024; 30:2037-2048. [PMID: 38858523 PMCID: PMC11271400 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03018-2] [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] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Retatrutide is a novel triple agonist of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucagon receptors. A 48-week phase 2 obesity study demonstrated weight reductions of 22.8% and 24.2% with retatrutide 8 and 12 mg, respectively. The primary objective of this substudy was to assess mean relative change from baseline in liver fat (LF) at 24 weeks in participants from that study with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and ≥10% of LF. Here, in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants (n = 98) were randomly assigned to 48 weeks of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide (1, 4, 8 or 12 mg dose) or placebo. The mean relative change from baseline in LF at 24 weeks was -42.9% (1 mg), -57.0% (4 mg), -81.4% (8 mg), -82.4% (12 mg) and +0.3% (placebo) (all P < 0.001 versus placebo). At 24 weeks, normal LF (<5%) was achieved by 27% (1 mg), 52% (4 mg), 79% (8 mg), 86% (12 mg) and 0% (placebo) of participants. LF reductions were significantly related to changes in body weight, abdominal fat and metabolic measures associated with improved insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. The ClinicalTrials.gov registration is NCT04881760 .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arun J Sanyal
- Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health and Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Lee M Kaplan
- Section of Obesity Medicine and Weight and Wellness Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Juan P Frias
- Velocity Clinical Research, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Qiwei Wu
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Yu Du
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Axel Haupt
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Flores Lopez AG, Quiros-Tejeira RE, Lyden E, McGill B, Dike CR. Association between BMI Change, Transaminases, and Other Metabolic Parameters in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Obes 2024; 2024:6997280. [PMID: 38817395 PMCID: PMC11139528 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6997280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Weight loss and lifestyle interventions are the mainstay of treatment in pediatric NAFLD. There are gaps in the literature on the objective improvement in BMI to meaningfully impact NAFLD in children. Aim To determine the decrease in BMI associated with a significant decline in ALT and other metabolic parameters. Methods Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with the diagnosis of NAFLD. Data were collected at the baseline and 6 and 12 months. A linear regression model was used to assess the percent change in BMI predictive of change in ALT and other metabolic parameters. Results 281 charts were included. 71% of patients who had up to a 2.5% loss in BMI at 6 months had a decrease in ALT of up to 10 U/L compared to 43% patients who did not have a decrease in BMI up to 2.5% loss at the same time period (P=0.01). The linear regression model showed that 6-month and 12-month percent changes in BMI are predictive of 6-month and 12-month ALT changes (P=0.01 and 0.02), respectively. ALT normalization was achieved on 12% of patients with a ≥2.5% decrease in BMI at 6 months compared to 1% of patients that had no decrease of ≥2.5% decrease in BMI at 6 months (P=0.01). The mean BMI Z-score decline was 0.18 (P=0.001) in the group with a ≥2.5% decrease in BMI at 6 months. Conclusions BMI loss of up to 2.5% and the mean BMI Z-score 0.18 are associated with a significant decrease in ALT of up to 10 U/L. BMI percent change at 6 months and 12 months is predictive of changes in ALT. These results should help guide providers in clinical practice set objective goals for the management of children with NAFLD resulting from obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro G. Flores Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children's Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ruben E. Quiros-Tejeira
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children's Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lyden
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Brooke McGill
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Chinenye R. Dike
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children's Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brouwers B, Rao G, Tang Y, Rodríguez Á, Glass LC, Hartman ML. Incretin-based investigational therapies for the treatment of MASLD/MASH. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2024; 211:111675. [PMID: 38636848 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111675] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common form of chronic liver disease. It exists as either simple steatosis or its more progressive form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The global prevalence of MASLD is estimated to be 32% among adults and is projected to continue to rise with increasing rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. While simple steatosis is often considered benign and reversible, MASH is progressive, potentially leading to the development of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment of MASH is therefore directed at slowing, stopping, or reversing the progression of disease. Evidence points to improved liver histology with therapies that result in sustained body weight reduction. Incretin-based molecules, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), alone or in combination with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and/or glucagon receptor agonists, have shown benefit here, and several are under investigation for MASLD/MASH treatment. In this review, we discuss current published data on GLP-1, GIP/GLP-1, GLP-1/glucagon, and GLP-1/GIP/glucagon RAs in MASLD/MASH, focusing on their efficacy on liver histology, liver fat, and MASH biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Girish Rao
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee TB, Kueh MTW, Jain V, Razavi AC, Alebna P, Chew NWS, Mehta A. Biomarkers of Hepatic Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Risk. Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:1783-1795. [PMID: 37971635 PMCID: PMC10902719 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01993-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The objective of this manuscript is to examine the current literature on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) biomarkers and their correlation with cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes and cardiovascular risk scores. RECENT FINDINGS There has been a growing appreciation for an independent link between NAFLD and CVD, culminating in a scientific statement by the American Heart Association in 2022. More recently, studies have begun to identify biomarkers of the three NAFLD phases as potent predictors of cardiovascular risk. Despite the body of evidence supporting a connection between hepatic biomarkers and CVD, more research is certainly needed, as some studies find no significant relationship. If this relationship continues to be robust and readily reproducible, NAFLD and its biomarkers may have an exciting role in the future of cardiovascular risk prediction, possibly as risk-enhancing factors or as components of novel cardiovascular risk prediction models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Terence B Lee
- VCU Health, Department of Internal Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Martin T W Kueh
- UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & University College Dublin Malaysia Campus, George Town, Malaysia
| | - Vardhmaan Jain
- Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Nicholas W S Chew
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anurag Mehta
- VCU Health Pauley Heart Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
- Preventive Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 1200 East Broad Street, PO Box 980036, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gîlcă-Blanariu GE, Budur DS, Mitrică DE, Gologan E, Timofte O, Bălan GG, Olteanu VA, Ștefănescu G. Advances in Noninvasive Biomarkers for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Metabolites 2023; 13:1115. [PMID: 37999211 PMCID: PMC10672868 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13111115] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently represents one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. Early diagnosis and disease staging is crucial, since it is mainly asymptomatic, but can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or cirrhosis or even lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Over time, efforts have been put into developing noninvasive diagnostic and staging methods in order to replace the use of a liver biopsy. The noninvasive methods used include imaging techniques that measure liver stiffness and biological markers, with a focus on serum biomarkers. Due to the impressive complexity of the NAFLD's pathophysiology, biomarkers are able to assay different processes involved, such as apoptosis, fibrogenesis, and inflammation, or even address the genetic background and "omics" technologies. This article reviews not only the currently validated noninvasive methods to investigate NAFLD but also the promising results regarding recently discovered biomarkers, including biomarker panels and the combination of the currently validated evaluation methods and serum markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana-Emmanuela Gîlcă-Blanariu
- Gastroenterology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania; (G.-E.G.-B.); (D.E.M.); (E.G.); (O.T.); (G.G.B.); (V.A.O.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Sf Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 100115 Iași, Romania
| | - Daniela Simona Budur
- Gastroenterology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania; (G.-E.G.-B.); (D.E.M.); (E.G.); (O.T.); (G.G.B.); (V.A.O.)
| | - Dana Elena Mitrică
- Gastroenterology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania; (G.-E.G.-B.); (D.E.M.); (E.G.); (O.T.); (G.G.B.); (V.A.O.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Sf Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 100115 Iași, Romania
| | - Elena Gologan
- Gastroenterology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania; (G.-E.G.-B.); (D.E.M.); (E.G.); (O.T.); (G.G.B.); (V.A.O.)
| | - Oana Timofte
- Gastroenterology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania; (G.-E.G.-B.); (D.E.M.); (E.G.); (O.T.); (G.G.B.); (V.A.O.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Sf Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 100115 Iași, Romania
| | - Gheorghe Gh Bălan
- Gastroenterology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania; (G.-E.G.-B.); (D.E.M.); (E.G.); (O.T.); (G.G.B.); (V.A.O.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Sf Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 100115 Iași, Romania
| | - Vasile Andrei Olteanu
- Gastroenterology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania; (G.-E.G.-B.); (D.E.M.); (E.G.); (O.T.); (G.G.B.); (V.A.O.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Sf Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 100115 Iași, Romania
| | - Gabriela Ștefănescu
- Gastroenterology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania; (G.-E.G.-B.); (D.E.M.); (E.G.); (O.T.); (G.G.B.); (V.A.O.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Sf Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 100115 Iași, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
El-Eshmawy MM. Impact of obesity on liver function tests: is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease the only player? A review article. Porto Biomed J 2023; 8:e228. [PMID: 37846300 PMCID: PMC10575409 DOI: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are common worldwide health problems with a strong relationship in between. NAFLD is currently the most common cause of abnormal liver function tests (LFT) because of obesity pandemic. The question is NAFLD the only player of abnormal LFT in obesity? Methodology This article reviews the most important topics regarding the derangements of LFT in obesity through a PubMed search strategy for all English-language literature. Results The reported abnormal LFT in obesity were increased serum levels of transaminases (alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase), gamma glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase and decreased serum levels of bilirubin and albumin. Besides novel potential hepatic markers of NAFLD/NASH such as triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, sex hormone-binding globulin, fibroblast growth factor 21, and markers of hepatocyte apoptosis i.e. cytokeratin 18 and microribonucleic acids (miRNAs). Beyond NAFLD, there are other underlying players for the abnormal LFT in obesity such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Conclusion Derangements of LFT in obesity are attributed to NAFLD but also to obesity itself and its related oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammatory state. Abnormal LFT predict more than just liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mervat M. El-Eshmawy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mansoura Specialized Medical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jayasekera D, Hartmann P. Noninvasive biomarkers in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Hepatol 2023; 15:609-640. [PMID: 37305367 PMCID: PMC10251277 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i5.609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide among children and adolescents. It encompasses a spectrum of disease, from its mildest form of isolated steatosis, to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, or end-stage liver disease. The early diagnosis of pediatric NAFLD is crucial in preventing disease progression and in improving outcomes. Currently, liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD. However, given its invasive nature, there has been significant interest in developing noninvasive methods that can be used as accurate alternatives. Here, we review noninvasive biomarkers in pediatric NAFLD, focusing primarily on the diagnostic accuracy of various biomarkers as measured by their area under the receiver operating characteristic, sensitivity, and specificity. We examine two major approaches to noninvasive biomarkers in children with NAFLD. First, the biological approach that quantifies serological biomarkers. This includes the study of individual circulating molecules as biomarkers as well as the use of composite algorithms derived from combinations of biomarkers. The second is a more physical approach that examines data measured through imaging techniques as noninvasive biomarkers for pediatric NAFLD. Each of these approaches was applied to children with NAFLD, NASH, and NAFLD with fibrosis. Finally, we suggest possible areas for future research based on current gaps in knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dulshan Jayasekera
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Phillipp Hartmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Goralska J, Razny U, Gruca A, Zdzienicka A, Micek A, Dembinska-Kiec A, Solnica B, Malczewska-Malec M. Plasma Cytokeratin-18 Fragment Level Reflects the Metabolic Phenotype in Obesity. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040675. [PMID: 37189422 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in the non-invasive identification and monitoring of the outcome of liver damage in obese patients. Plasma cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) fragment levels correlate with the magnitude of hepatocyte apoptosis and have recently been proposed to independently predict the presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of the study was to analyze the associations of CK-18 with obesity and related complications: insulin resistance, impaired lipid metabolism and the secretion of hepatokines, adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The study involved 151 overweight and obese patients (BMI 25-40), without diabetes, dyslipidemia or apparent liver disease. Liver function was assessed based on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and the fatty liver index (FLI). CK-18 M30 plasma levels, FGF-21, FGF-19 and cytokines were determined by ELISA. CK-18 values >150 U/l were accompanied by high ALT, GGT and FLI, insulin resistance, postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, elevated FGF-21 and MCP-1 and decreased adiponectin. ALT activity was the strongest independent factor influencing high CK-18 plasma levels, even after an adjustment for age, sex and BMI [β coefficient (95%CI): 0.40 (0.19-0.61)]. In conclusion, the applied CK-18 cut-off point at 150 U/l allows to distinguish between two metabolic phenotypes in obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Goralska
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Urszula Razny
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Gruca
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Zdzienicka
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Micek
- Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Jagiellonian University Medical College; Michałowskiego 12, 31-126 Krakow, Poland
| | - Aldona Dembinska-Kiec
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bogdan Solnica
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Malczewska-Malec
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Klepper CM, Khurana T, Sun Q, Fei L, Crimmins NA, Siegel R, Mouzaki M. BMI Metrics Are Poor Predictors of Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Severity. Child Obes 2023; 19:139-143. [PMID: 35475755 PMCID: PMC9986011 DOI: 10.1089/chi.2021.0316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: Alternative BMI metrics are superior to BMI z score (BMIz) in tracking obesity but have not been evaluated in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our objective was to evaluate whether BMI-adjusted z score (BMIaz) or BMI expressed as a percentage of the 95th percentile (%BMIp95) are better predictors of degree of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation, a surrogate for NAFLD severity, compared with BMIz in patients with NAFLD. Methods: A retrospective study of 776 subjects aged 2-18 years with BMIz > 1.0 followed in a NAFLD subspecialty clinic was conducted. Regression analysis was used to determine predictors of elevated ALT. Results: There was no association between BMIz, BMIaz, or %BMIp95 and degree of ALT elevation using linear or logistic regression. Conclusion: These results do not support the use of alternative BMI metrics for evaluating NAFLD severity. Future studies should investigate longitudinal assessments and correlation with histology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corie M. Klepper
- Divisions of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tarush Khurana
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Qin Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lin Fei
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nancy A. Crimmins
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Divisions of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert Siegel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Divisions of Cardiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Marialena Mouzaki
- Divisions of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hegarty R, Kyrana E, Fitzpatrick E, Dhawan A. Fatty liver disease in children (MAFLD/PeFLD Type 2): unique classification considerations and challenges. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2023; 14:20420188231160388. [PMID: 36968656 PMCID: PMC10034351 DOI: 10.1177/20420188231160388] [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: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In children, fatty liver disease is a group of disorders that often overlaps with inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs), which requires prompt diagnosis and specific management. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) or, formerly, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic component of a multisystemic disease that requires a positive criteria in metabolic dysfunction for diagnosis. However, in children, the diagnosis of MAFLD is one of the exclusions of an IMD [paediatric fatty liver disease (PeFLD) type 1] including the possibility that an IMD can be identified in the future following investigations that may be negative at the time. Therefore, while children with fatty liver with metabolic dysfunction could be classified as MAFLD (PeFLD type 2) and managed that way, those who do not fulfil the criteria for metabolic dysfunction should be considered separately bearing in mind the possibility of identifying a yet undiagnosed IMD (PeFLD type 3). This concept is ever more important in a world where MAFLD is the most common cause of liver disease in children and adolescents in whom about 7% are affected. The disease is only partially understood, and awareness is still lacking outside hepatology and gastroenterology. Despite its increasing pervasiveness, the management is far from a one-size-fits-all. Increasing complexities around the genetic, epigenetic, non-invasive modalities of assessment, psychosocial impacts, therapeutics, and natural history of the disease have meant that an individualised approach is required. This is where the challenge lies so that children with fatty liver are considered on their own merits. The purpose of this review is to give a clinical perspective of fatty liver disease in children with relevance to metabolic dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Hegarty
- Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, and
MowatLabs, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Eirini Kyrana
- Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, and
MowatLabs, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Emer Fitzpatrick
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and
Nutrition, Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lessons on Drug Development: A Literature Review of Challenges Faced in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Clinical Trials. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010158. [PMID: 36613602 PMCID: PMC9820446 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, occurring in both obese and lean patients. It can lead to life-threatening liver diseases and nonhepatic complications, such as cirrhosis and cardiovascular diseases, that burden public health and the health care system. Current care is weight loss through diet and exercise, which is a challenging goal to achieve. However, there are no FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for NAFLD. This review thoroughly examines the clinical trial findings from 22 drugs (Phase 2 and above) and evaluates the future direction that trials should take for further drug development. These trialed drugs can broadly be categorized into five groups-hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, bile-pathway, anti-inflammatory, and others, which include nutraceuticals. The multitude of challenges faced in these yet-to-be-approved NAFLD drug trials provided insight into a few areas of improvement worth considering. These include drug repurposing, combinations, noninvasive outcomes, standardization, adverse event alleviation, and the need for precision medicine with more extensive consideration of NAFLD heterogenicity in drug trials. Understandably, every evolution of the drug development landscape lies with its own set of challenges. However, this paper believes in the importance of always learning from lessons of the past, with each potential improvement pushing clinical trials an additional step forward toward discovering appropriate drugs for effective NAFLD management.
Collapse
|
12
|
Grobbee EJ, de Jong VD, Schrieks IC, Tushuizen ME, Holleboom AG, Tardif JC, Lincoff AM, Schwartz GG, Castro Cabezas M, Grobbee DE. Improvement of non-invasive tests of liver steatosis and fibrosis as indicators for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with elevated cardiovascular risk profile using the PPAR-α/γ agonist aleglitazar. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277706. [PMID: 36378671 PMCID: PMC9665379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists may have favorable outcomes on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study serves as proof of concept to evaluate whether dual PPAR-α/γ agonists improve non-invasive tests of liver steatosis and fibrosis. METHODS This is a post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial comprising 7226 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent coronary artery disease randomized to receive aleglitazar, a PPAR-α/γ agonists, or placebo for two years. Main outcomes were change in non-invasive tests for liver steatosis and fibrosis: Liver Fat Score (LFS), Liver Accumulation Product (LAP), Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS). RESULTS LFS, LAP and FIB-4 decreased upon treatment, whereas scores in the placebo group remained the same or increased (P<0.001). NFS responded differently but remained consistently lower than placebo. In the treatment group more participants shifted to a lower FIB-4 and NFS category, or improved in respect to the LAP cut-off values compared to the placebo group (P<0.001 for FIB-4 and LAP, P<0.004 for NFS). LFS had a low discriminative power in this study. CONCLUSION This post-hoc analysis showed improvement of non-invasive tests of liver steatosis and fibrosis after starting dual PPAR-α/γ agonist treatment, adding to the evidence that this pathway has potential in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esmée J. Grobbee
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vivian D. de Jong
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Julius Clinical, Zeist, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Maarten E. Tushuizen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan G. Holleboom
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Claude Tardif
- Montreal Heart Institute Coordinating Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - A. Michael Lincoff
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research (C5Research), Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Gregory G. Schwartz
- Division of Cardiology, VA Medical Center and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Manuel Castro Cabezas
- Julius Clinical, Zeist, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diederick E. Grobbee
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Julius Clinical, Zeist, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
The Benefit of Probiotics in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2022; 75:e31-e37. [PMID: 35758473 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a summary of the current literature about the efficacy of probiotics in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS A systematic literature search through major electronic databases was carried out for RCTs till September 9, 2021, investigating the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of pediatric patients with NAFLD. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and Standard Deviations (SD) were used to calculate continuous outcomes and a Risk Ratio with 95% CI was used for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS In total, 4 RCTs with 238 pediatric patients with NAFLD were included in the study. Probiotic supplementation revealed a statistically significant difference in transaminases' levels (ALT: WMD = -7.51 IU/L, 95% CI, -11.28 to -3.73, I 2 = 0%, P < 0.0001; AST: WMD = -6.46 IU/L, 95% CI, -9.31 to -3.61, I 2 = 0%, P < 0.00001), anthropometric characteristics, total cholesterol, triglycerides and ultrasonographic steatosis improvement. CONCLUSIONS According to the data of this meta-analysis, probiotic supplementation, and especially supplementation of Lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with other strains of Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus may be beneficial in the improvement of transaminases', lipid parameters' levels, ultrasonographic, and anthropometric characteristics in children with NAFLD. Current evidence does not allow specifying the exact beneficial strain of probiotics mentioned above. The possible effect of probiotics on liver histology improvement in pediatric NAFLD should be examined in future studies.
Collapse
|
14
|
Chen Y, Xu YN, Ye CY, Feng WB, Zhou QT, Yang DH, Wang MW. GLP-1 mimetics as a potential therapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:1156-1166. [PMID: 34934197 PMCID: PMC9061743 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00836-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is characterized by liver steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular injury and different degrees of fibrosis. The pathogenesis of NASH is complex and multifactorial, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been implicated as major risk factors. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is one of the most successful drug targets of T2DM and obesity, and its peptidic ligands have been proposed as potential therapeutic agents for NASH. In this article we provide an overview of the pathophysiology and management of NASH, with a special focus on the pharmacological effects and possible mechanisms of GLP-1 mimetics in treating NAFLD/NASH, including dual and triple agonists at GLP-1R, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor or glucagon receptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying-Na Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chen-Yu Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wen-Bo Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qing-Tong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - De-Hua Yang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, 572025, China.
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, 572025, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Dionysopoulos G, Kalopitas G, Vadarlis A, Bakaloudi DR, Gkiourtzis N, Karanika E, Tsekitsidi E, Chourdakis M. Can omega-3 fatty acids be beneficial in pediatric NAFLD? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 63:8545-8553. [PMID: 35400251 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2062589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in children and no medications or supplements are currently recommended. The role of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids has been investigated in clinical trials with promising results. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed summary of the evidence about the efficacy of n-3 in the treatment of pediatric NAFLD. A systematic literature search was performed through major electronic databases up to September 20, 2021 for randomized placebo-controlled trials, investigating the efficacy of n-3 fatty acids in children with NAFLD. The primary outcomes were changes in serum transaminases concentration, Body Mass Index (BMI) and improvement of ultrasonographic liver steatosis. The secondary outcomes were changes in the patients' serum lipid profile, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), fasting blood glucose (FBG), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (ΗΟΜΑ-ΙR) and waist circumference (WC). Results were expressed as mean differences for continuous outcomes and odds ratios for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals. Six RCTs (n = 378 patients) were included. Treatment with n-3, compared to placebo, resulted in a statistically significant reduction in transaminases concentration. In addition, a significant improvement in liver steatosis assessed by ultrasonography and a decrease in BMI were observed. N-3 fatty acids supplementation seems to be an effective alternative treatment in pediatric NAFLD by improving liver biochemistry, ultrasonographic steatosis and BMI. Further research is required concerning the effect of n-3 fatty acids in liver histology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Dionysopoulos
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Kalopitas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Andreas Vadarlis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital of Thessaloniki "G. Papanikolaou,"Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra Rafailia Bakaloudi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Gkiourtzis
- 4th Department of Paediatrics, Papageorgiou University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Karanika
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eirini Tsekitsidi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michail Chourdakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Deep proteomic profiling unveils arylsulfatase A as a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis inducible hepatokine and regulator of glycemic control. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1259. [PMID: 35273160 PMCID: PMC8913628 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28889-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and type 2 diabetes are closely linked, yet the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning this bidirectional relationship remain unresolved. Using proteomic approaches, we interrogate hepatocyte protein secretion in two models of murine NASH to understand how liver-derived factors modulate lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. We reveal striking hepatokine remodelling that is associated with insulin resistance and maladaptive lipid metabolism, and identify arylsulfatase A (ARSA) as a hepatokine that is upregulated in NASH and type 2 diabetes. Mechanistically, hepatic ARSA reduces sulfatide content and increases lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) accumulation within lipid rafts and suppresses LPC secretion from the liver, thereby lowering circulating LPC and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) levels. Reduced LPA is linked to improvements in skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and systemic glycemic control. Hepatic silencing of Arsa or inactivation of ARSA's enzymatic activity reverses these effects. Together, this study provides a unique resource describing global changes in hepatokine secretion in NASH, and identifies ARSA as a regulator of liver to muscle communication and as a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes.
Collapse
|
17
|
Pessoa J, Teixeira J. Cytoskeleton alterations in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabolism 2022; 128:155115. [PMID: 34974078 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2021.155115] [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: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to its extremely high prevalence and severity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) is a serious health and economic concern worldwide. Developing effective methods of diagnosis and therapy demands a deeper understanding of its molecular basis. One of the strategies in such an endeavor is the analysis of alterations in the morphology of liver cells. Such alterations, widely reported in NAFLD patients and disease models, are related to the cytoskeleton. Therefore, the fate of the cytoskeleton components is useful to uncover the molecular basis of NAFLD, to further design innovative approaches for its diagnosis and therapy. MAIN FINDINGS Several cytoskeleton proteins are up-regulated in liver cells of NAFLD patients. Under pathological conditions, keratin 18 is released from hepatocytes and its detection in the blood emerges as a non-invasive diagnosis tool. α-Smooth muscle actin is up-regulated in hepatic stellate cells and its down-regulation has been widely tested as a potential NALFD therapeutic approach. Other cytoskeleton proteins, such as vimentin, are also up-regulated. CONCLUSIONS NAFLD progression involves alterations in expression levels of proteins that build the liver cytoskeleton or associate with it. These findings provide a timely opportunity of developing novel approaches for NAFLD diagnosis and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Pessoa
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - José Teixeira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ciardullo S, Perseghin G. Advances in fibrosis biomarkers in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Adv Clin Chem 2022; 106:33-65. [PMID: 35152974 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a quarter of the adult world population and the degree of liver fibrosis represents the best predictor of the development of liver-related outcomes. Easily applicable and well performing non-invasive fibrosis tests can overcome the limitations of liver biopsy and are of paramount importance to identify at-risk subjects in clinical practice. While tests with optimal performance and ease of use do not exist at this stage, available markers can be divided in three broad groups: simple serum tests, complex serum tests and elastographic methods. Simple scores (such as Fibrosis-4 and NAFLD Fibrosis Score) are based on readily available biochemical data and clinical features, while complex/proprietary tests (such as Fibrotest, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis and Hepascore) directly measure markers of fibrogenesis and fibrolysis, but have higher costs. Elastography techniques estimate the degree of fibrosis from liver stiffness and are based on either ultrasound or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR elastography has better performance compared with sonographic techniques and is not affected by obesity and inflammation, but is highly costly and less available. In general, non-invasive tests are able to exclude the presence of fibrosis, but their positive predictive value is low to moderate and they lead to a high number of indeterminate results. In this context, a combination of different tests might increase accuracy while reducing gray-zone results. Their ability to predict future events and response to treatment is suboptimal and needs to be studied further. Finally, recent studies have tried different approaches, spanning from "omics" to the microbiome and micro-RNAs, with some promising results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ciardullo
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Monza, Italy; School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Perseghin
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Monza, Italy; School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chandra Kumar CV, Skantha R, Chan WK. Non-invasive assessment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2022; 13:20420188221139614. [PMID: 36533184 PMCID: PMC9747884 DOI: 10.1177/20420188221139614] [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: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects an estimated one-quarter of the global adult population and has become one of the leading causes of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma with increased liver-related and overall morbidity and mortality. The new term, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), has a set of positive diagnostic criteria and has been shown to have better clinical utility, but it has yet to be universally adopted. This review addresses the non-invasive tests for MAFLD and is based mostly on studies on NAFLD patients, as the MAFLD term is relatively new and there are limited studies on non-invasive tests based on this new term, while a large body of research work on non-invasive tests has accumulated in the literature for NAFLD. This review focuses on blood-based biomarkers and scores for the assessment of hepatic steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and fibrosis, and two of the most widely studied imaging biomarkers, namely vibration-controlled transient elastography and magnetic resonance imaging. Fibrotic NASH has become a diagnostic target of interest and novel serum biomarkers and scores incorporating imaging biomarker for diagnosis of fibrotic NASH are emerging. Nonetheless, the degree of liver fibrosis remains the key predictor of liver-related morbidity and mortality in patients with MAFLD. A multitude of non-invasive biomarkers and scores have been studied for the detection of liver fibrosis, including use of sequential non-invasive tests for risk stratification of advanced liver fibrosis. In addition, this review will explore the utility of the non-invasive tests for prognostication and for monitoring of treatment response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C. Vikneshwaran Chandra Kumar
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ruben Skantha
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Cave MC, Pinkston CM, Rai SN, Wahlang B, Pavuk M, Head KZ, Carswell GK, Nelson GM, Klinge CM, Bell DA, Birnbaum LS, Chorley BN. Circulating MicroRNAs, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Environmental Liver Disease in the Anniston Community Health Survey. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:17003. [PMID: 34989596 PMCID: PMC8734566 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures have been associated with liver injury in human cohorts, and steatohepatitis with liver necrosis in model systems. MicroRNAs (miRs) maintain cellular homeostasis and may regulate the response to environmental stress. OBJECTIVES We tested the hypothesis that specific miRs are associated with liver disease and PCB exposures in a residential cohort. METHODS Sixty-eight targeted hepatotoxicity miRs were measured in archived serum from 734 PCB-exposed participants in the cross-sectional Anniston Community Health Survey. Necrotic and other liver disease categories were defined by serum keratin 18 (K18) biomarkers. Associations were determined between exposure biomarkers (35 ortho-substituted PCB congeners) and disease biomarkers (highly expressed miRs or previously measured cytokines), and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was performed. RESULTS The necrotic liver disease category was associated with four up-regulated miRs (miR-99a-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, and miR-320a) and five down-regulated miRs (let-7d-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-197-3p, and miR-221-3p). Twenty-two miRs were associated with the other liver disease category or with K18 measurements. Eleven miRs were associated with 24 PCBs, most commonly congeners with anti-estrogenic activities. Most of the exposure-associated miRs were associated with at least one serum hepatocyte death, pro-inflammatory cytokine or insulin resistance bioarker, or with both. Within each biomarker category, associations were strongest for the liver-specific miR-122-5p. Pathways of liver toxicity that were identified included inflammation/hepatitis, hyperplasia/hyperproliferation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumor protein p53 and tumor necrosis factor α were well integrated within the top identified networks. DISCUSSION These results support the human hepatotoxicity of environmental PCB exposures while elucidating potential modes of PCB action. The MiR-derived liquid liver biopsy represents a promising new technique for environmental hepatology cohort studies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9467.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Cave
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Liver Transplant Program at UofL Health–Jewish Hospital Trager Transplant Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Christina M. Pinkston
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Shesh N. Rai
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Banrida Wahlang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Marian Pavuk
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kimberly Z. Head
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Gleta K. Carswell
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gail M. Nelson
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carolyn M. Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Douglas A. Bell
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Linda S. Birnbaum
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brian N. Chorley
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
The acronym nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD) groups a heterogeneous patient population. Although in many patients the primary driver is metabolic dysfunction, a complex and dynamic interaction of different factors (i.e., sex, presence of one or more genetic variants, coexistence of different comorbidities, diverse microbiota composition, and various degrees of alcohol consumption among others) takes place to determine disease subphenotypes with distinct natural history and prognosis and, eventually, different response to therapy. This review aims to address this topic through the analysis of existing data on the differential contribution of known factors to the pathogenesis and clinical expression of NAFLD, thus determining the different clinical subphenotypes observed in practice. To improve our understanding of NAFLD heterogeneity and the dominant drivers of disease in patient subgroups would predictably impact on the development of more precision-targeted therapies for NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Arrese
- Department of Gastroenterology, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan P. Arab
- Department of Gastroenterology, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Barrera
- Department of Gastroenterology, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Benedikt Kaufmann
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Rady Children's Hospital, University of California San Diego, California
| | - Luca Valenti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Translational Medicine, Department of Transfusion, Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Pad Marangoni, Milan, Italy
| | - Ariel E. Feldstein
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Rady Children's Hospital, University of California San Diego, California
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Akbulut UE, Isik IA, Atalay A, Eraslan A, Durmus E, Turkmen S, Yurttas AS. The effect of a Mediterranean diet vs. a low-fat diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children: a randomized trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2021; 73:357-366. [PMID: 34565261 DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2021.1979478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming ever more common in children, due to the increasing global prevalence of obesity. The first-line treatment consists of weight loss through a combination of a healthy diet and exercise. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a Mediterranean Diet or a low-fat diet on reducing hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in children with NAFLD. This 12-week randomised clinical trial was conducted with children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD and randomised into either a Mediterranean Diet or a low-fat diet group. By the end of the study, hepatic steatosis had decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). Liver enzymes also improved significantly, while significant decreases were observed in insulin resistance in both groups, although this decrease was greater in the Mediterranean Diet group (p = 0.010). This study demonstrated that a decrease in hepatic steatosis and an improvement in insulin sensitivity can be achieved with both a Mediterranean Diet and a low-fat diet over 12 weeks, with no significant decrease in the energy required for growth, in children with NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulas Emre Akbulut
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Health Sciences, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ishak Abdurrahman Isik
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Health Sciences, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Atike Atalay
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Health Sciences, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ali Eraslan
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Emin Durmus
- Department of Radiology, University of Health Sciences, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Sinem Turkmen
- Department of Dietetics, University of Health Sciences, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Aziz Selcuk Yurttas
- Department of Dietetics, University of Health Sciences, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kang SH, Lee HW, Yoo JJ, Cho Y, Kim SU, Lee TH, Jang BK, Kim SG, Ahn SB, Kim H, Jun DW, Choi JI, Song DS, Kim W, Jeong SW, Kim MY, Koh H, Jeong S, Lee JW, Cho YK. KASL clinical practice guidelines: Management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol 2021; 27:363-401. [PMID: 34154309 PMCID: PMC8273632 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2021.0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Seong Hee Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul Korea
| | - Jeong-Ju Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, SoonChunHyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Yuri Cho
- Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul Korea
| | - Tae Hee Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Byoung Kuk Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sang Gyune Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, SoonChunHyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Sang Bong Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Haeryoung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae Won Jun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon-Il Choi
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St.Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do Seon Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soung Won Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Moon Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Hong Koh
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sujin Jeong
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Jin-Woo Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yong Kyun Cho
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hempel F, Roderfeld M, Müntnich LJ, Albrecht J, Oruc Z, Arneth B, Karrasch T, Pons-Kühnemann J, Padberg W, Renz H, Schäffler A, Roeb E. Caspase-Cleaved Keratin 18 Measurements Identified Ongoing Liver Injury after Bariatric Surgery. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10061233. [PMID: 33809676 PMCID: PMC8002276 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bariatric surgery has emerged as an effective treatment option in morbidly obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, worsening or new onset of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis have been observed. Caspase-cleaved keratin 18 (ccK18) has been established as a marker of hepatocyte apoptosis, a key event in NASH development. Thus, ccK18 measurements might be feasible to monitor bariatric surgery patients. Clinical data and laboratory parameters were collected from 39 patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at six timepoints, prior to surgery until one year after the procedure. ccK18 levels were measured and a high-throughput analysis of serum adipokines and cytokines was carried out. Half of the cohort’s patients (20/39) presented with ccK18 levels indicative of progressed liver disease. 21% had a NAFLD-fibrosis score greater than 0.676, suggesting significant fibrosis. One year after surgery, a mean weight loss of 36.87% was achieved. Six and twelve months after surgery, ccK18 fragments were significantly reduced compared to preoperative levels (p < 0.001). Yet nine patients did not show a decline in ccK18 levels ≥ 10% within one year postoperatively, which was considered a response to treatment. While no significant differences in laboratory parameters or ccK18 could be observed, they presented with a greater expression of leptin and fibrinogen before surgery. Consecutive ccK18 measurements monitored the resolution of NAFLD and identified non-responders to bariatric surgery with ongoing liver injury. Further studies are needed to elicit the pathological mechanisms in non-responders and study the potential of adipokines as prognostic markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Hempel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (F.H.); (M.R.); (L.J.M.)
| | - Martin Roderfeld
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (F.H.); (M.R.); (L.J.M.)
| | - Lucas John Müntnich
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (F.H.); (M.R.); (L.J.M.)
| | - Jens Albrecht
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation, and Pediatric Surgery, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.A.); (Z.O.); (W.P.)
- Department for Bariatric Surgery, Asklepios Hospital, D-35423 Lich, Germany
| | - Ziya Oruc
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation, and Pediatric Surgery, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.A.); (Z.O.); (W.P.)
| | - Borros Arneth
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (B.A.); (H.R.)
- The German Lung Center (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Karrasch
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (T.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Jörn Pons-Kühnemann
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Winfried Padberg
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation, and Pediatric Surgery, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (J.A.); (Z.O.); (W.P.)
| | - Harald Renz
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Pathobiochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (B.A.); (H.R.)
- The German Lung Center (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Schäffler
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (T.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Elke Roeb
- Department of Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany; (F.H.); (M.R.); (L.J.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-641-98542338
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Newton KP, Lavine JE, Wilson L, Behling C, Vos MB, Molleston JP, Rosenthal P, Miloh T, Fishbein MH, Jain AK, Murray KF, Schwimmer JB. Alanine Aminotransferase and Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase Predict Histologic Improvement in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Hepatology 2021; 73:937-951. [PMID: 32416645 PMCID: PMC7669708 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Predictive, noninvasive tools are needed to monitor key features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children that relate to improvement in liver histology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between liver chemistries and liver histology using data from the CyNCh (Cysteamine Bitartrate Delayed-Release for the Treatment of NAFLD in Children) clinical trial. APPROACH AND RESULTS This study included 146 children. Improvement in liver histology, defined as decrease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Activity Score ≥2 points without worsening of fibrosis, occurred in 43 participants (30%). There were 46 participants with borderline zone 1 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at baseline, with resolution in 28% (12 of 46). Multivariate models were constructed using baseline and change in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) at 52 weeks, for improvement in (1) liver histology primary outcome, (2) borderline zone 1 NASH, and (3) fibrosis. For improvement in histology, the model (P < 0.0001) retained baseline and change in GGT (area under the receiver operating characteristic [AUROC], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.87). For borderline zone 1 NASH, the model (P = 0.0004) retained baseline and change in ALT (AUROC, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67-0.93). For fibrosis, the model (P < 0.001) retained baseline and change in ALT (AUROC, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67-0.93). Additional clinical parameters were added to the models using Akaike's information criterion selection, and significantly boosted performance: improvement in histology with AUROC of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82-0.95), borderline zone 1 NASH with AUROC of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.83-0.99), and fibrosis with AUROC of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82-0.94). Models were validated using data from the TONIC (Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children) trial. CONCLUSIONS In children with NAFLD, dynamic changes in serum ALT and GGT are associated with change in liver histology and appear to be powerful indicators of histological response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly P Newton
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of California San Diego School of MedicineLa JollaCA.,Division of GastroenterologyDepartment of PediatricsRady Children's HospitalSan DiegoCA
| | - Joel E Lavine
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionDepartment of PediatricsColumbia UniversityNew YorkNY
| | - Laura Wilson
- Department of EpidemiologyBloomberg School of Public HealthJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD.,Department of MedicineJohns Hopkins UniversitySchool of MedicineBaltimoreMD
| | - Cynthia Behling
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of California San Diego School of MedicineLa JollaCA.,Department of PathologySharp Medical CenterSan DiegoCA
| | - Miriam B Vos
- Department of PediatricsEmory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of AtlantaAtlantaGA
| | | | - Philip Rosenthal
- Departments of Pediatrics & SurgeryUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCA
| | - Tamir Miloh
- Department of PediatricsTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTX
| | - Mark H Fishbein
- Department of PediatricsAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIL
| | - Ajay K Jain
- Department of PediatricsSaint Louis UniversitySt. LouisMI
| | - Karen F Murray
- Department of PediatricsCleveland Clinic Children's HospitalClevelandOH
| | - Jeffrey B Schwimmer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of California San Diego School of MedicineLa JollaCA.,Division of GastroenterologyDepartment of PediatricsRady Children's HospitalSan DiegoCA
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sumida Y, Yoneda M, Tokushige K, Kawanaka M, Fujii H, Yoneda M, Imajo K, Takahashi H, Eguchi Y, Ono M, Nozaki Y, Hyogo H, Koseki M, Yoshida Y, Kawaguchi T, Kamada Y, Okanoue T, Nakajima A. FIB-4 First in the Diagnostic Algorithm of Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in the Era of the Global Metabodemic. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:143. [PMID: 33672864 PMCID: PMC7917687 DOI: 10.3390/life11020143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity or metabolic syndrome is increasing worldwide (globally metabodemic). Approximately 25% of the adult general population is suffering from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has become a serious health problem. In 2020, global experts suggested that the nomenclature of NAFLD should be updated to metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Hepatic fibrosis is the most significant determinant of all cause- and liver -related mortality in MAFLD. The non-invasive test (NIT) is urgently required to evaluate hepatic fibrosis in MAFLD. The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is the first triaging tool for excluding advanced fibrosis because of its accuracy, simplicity, and cheapness, especially for general physicians or endocrinologists, although the FIB-4 index has several drawbacks. Accumulating evidence has suggested that vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test may become useful as the second step after triaging by the FIB-4 index. The leading cause of mortality in MAFLD is cardiovascular disease (CVD), extrahepatic malignancy, and liver-related diseases. MAFLD often complicates chronic kidney disease (CKD), resulting in increased simultaneous liver kidney transplantation. The FIB-4 index could be a predictor of not only liver-related mortality and incident hepatocellular carcinoma, but also prevalent and incident CKD, CVD, and extrahepatic malignancy. Although NITs as milestones for evaluating treatment efficacy have never been established, the FIB-4 index is expected to reflect histological hepatic fibrosis after treatment in several longitudinal studies. We here review the role of the FIB-4 index in the management of MAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshio Sumida
- Division of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan;
| | - Masashi Yoneda
- Division of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan;
| | - Katsutoshi Tokushige
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan;
| | - Miwa Kawanaka
- Department of General Internal Medicine2, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama 700-8505, Japan;
| | - Hideki Fujii
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka 558-8585, Japan;
| | - Masato Yoneda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan; (M.Y.); (K.I.); (A.N.)
| | - Kento Imajo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan; (M.Y.); (K.I.); (A.N.)
| | - Hirokazu Takahashi
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 840-8502, Japan;
| | | | - Masafumi Ono
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Medical Center East, Tokyo 116-8567, Japan;
| | - Yuichi Nozaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan;
| | - Hideyuki Hyogo
- Department of Gastroenterology, JA Hiroshima General Hospital, Hiroshima 738-8503, Japan;
| | - Masahiro Koseki
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan;
| | - Yuichi Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Suita Municipal Hospital, Osaka 564-8567, Japan;
| | - Takumi Kawaguchi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan;
| | - Yoshihiro Kamada
- Department of Advanced Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan;
| | - Takeshi Okanoue
- Hepatology Center, Saiseikai Suita Hospital, Osaka 564-0013, Japan;
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan; (M.Y.); (K.I.); (A.N.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhuo L, Xu J, You N, Wang L, Song Y, Luo Y, Shi J. Study on the new strategy and key techniques for accurate prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis based on intestinal target bacteria. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22867. [PMID: 33327227 PMCID: PMC7738151 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a major health problem worldwide; according to statistics, 10% to 25% of patients with NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A link between the composition and metabolites of intestinal microbiota and the development of NAFLD is becoming clearer. It is believed that microbiota factors are driving forces of hepatic steatosis and inflammation. The formulated food that contains prebiotics and dietary fiber may improve NAFLD by altering the intestinal flora and its metabolites. METHODS The study plan to recruit adult patients (18-75 years, n = 120) with NAFLD, range of alanine aminotransferase is 1.5 to 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) or liver biopsy is confirmed as NASH. Participants will be randomly allocated into 2 groups: formulated food (n = 80) and a placebo group (n = 40) for 24 weeks. Both groups will receive lifestyle and nutritional advice. The primary endpoint is a decrease in MRS-PDFF by more than 30% from baseline at 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints include the change of anthropometric, liver function, glycolipid metabolism, and systemic inflammation at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. In addition, we consider the changes in intestinal microbiota as an exploration to assess the abundance and diversity at 24 weeks. Weeks 24 to 36 are the follow-up period of drug withdrawal. DISCUSSION This clinical trial will provide evidence of efficacy and safety of formulated food as a potential new therapeutic agent for NAFLD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial is registered in the China Clinical Trial Center (ChiCTR1800016178).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zhuo
- Department of Endocrinology, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital
| | - Jiali Xu
- Department of Liver Diseases, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital
| | - Ningning You
- Departments of Gastroenterology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Department of Liver Diseases, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
| | - Yu Song
- Department of Liver Diseases, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
| | - Yan Luo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junping Shi
- Department of Liver Diseases, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Suboptimal reliability of liver biopsy evaluation has implications for randomized clinical trials. J Hepatol 2020; 73:1322-1332. [PMID: 32610115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver biopsies are a critical component of pivotal studies in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), constituting inclusion criteria, risk stratification factors and endpoints. We evaluated the reliability of NASH Clinical Research Network scoring of liver biopsies in a NASH clinical trial. METHODS Digitized slides of 678 biopsies from 339 patients with paired biopsies randomized into the EMMINENCE study - examining a novel insulin sensitizer (MSDC-0602K) in NASH - were read independently by 3 hepatopathologists blinded to treatment code and scored using the NASH CRN histological scoring system. Various endpoints were computed from these scores. RESULTS Inter-reader linearly weighted kappas were 0.609, 0.484, 0.328, and 0.517 for steatosis, fibrosis, lobular inflammation, and ballooning, respectively. Inter-reader unweighted kappas were 0.400 for the diagnosis of NASH, 0.396 for NASH resolution without worsening fibrosis, and 0.366 for fibrosis improvement without worsening NASH. In the current study, 46.3% of the patients included in the study based on 1 hepatopathologist's qualifying reading were deemed not to meet the study's histologic inclusion criteria by at least 1 of the 3 hepatopathologists. The MSDC-0602K treatment effect was lowest for those histologic features with lower inter-reader reliability. Simulations show that the lack of reliability of endpoints and inclusion criteria can drastically reduce study power - from >90% in a well-powered study to as low as 40%. CONCLUSIONS The reliability of hepatopathologists' liver biopsy evaluation using currently accepted criteria is suboptimal. This lack of reliability may affect NASH pivotal studies by introducing patients who do not meet NASH study entry criteria, misclassifying fibrosis subgroups, and attenuating apparent treatment effects. LAY SUMMARY Since liver biopsy analysis plays such an important role in clinical studies of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, it is important to understand the reliability of hepato-pathologist readings. We examined both inter- and intra-reader variability in a large data set of paired liver biopsies from a clinical trial. We found very poor inter-reader and modest intra-reader variability. This result has important implications for entry criteria, fibrosis stratification, and the ability to measure a treatment effect in clinical trials.
Collapse
|
29
|
Kalopitas G, Antza C, Doundoulakis I, Siargkas A, Kouroumalis E, Germanidis G, Samara M, Chourdakis M. Impact of Silymarin in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition 2020; 83:111092. [PMID: 33418491 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2020.111092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease affecting a significant proportion of the general population. Recently, randomized clinical trials have been conducted examining the efficacy of silymarin in individuals with NAFLD, with conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of silymarin in the treatment of NAFLD by examining changes in liver biochemistry, body mass index, and liver histology. METHODS We searched major electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, as well as gray-literature sources, up to June 2020 for randomized clinical trials examining the efficacy of treatment with silymarin in individuals with NAFLD compared to placebo. The primary outcomes were changes in the mean values of transaminases (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). Secondary outcomes included changes in body mass index and liver histology. Quality analysis was performed with the risk-of-bias tool 2.0. We synthesized results using weighted mean differences for continuous outcomes, along with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS In the meta-analysis, eight randomized clinical trials were included. A cutoff level of 0.05 was considered to provide statistically significant results. Silymarin treatment led to a statistically significant greater reduction in the levels of transaminases compared to placebo, irrespective of weight loss. CONCLUSIONS Silymarin seems to be effective in reducing transaminase levels in individuals with NAFLD. Despite the statistical benefits, we call attention to potential flaws related to the quality of the included studies. Further well-designed studies should be carried out to examine whether this reduction in transaminase levels corresponds to histologic improvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Kalopitas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christina Antza
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; Third Department of Internal Medicine, G. H. "Papageorgiou", School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Doundoulakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonis Siargkas
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elias Kouroumalis
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece
| | - Georgios Germanidis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Myrto Samara
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michail Chourdakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Adams LA, Chan WK. Noninvasive Tests in the Assessment of NASH and NAFLD Fibrosis: Now and Into the Future. Semin Liver Dis 2020; 40:331-338. [PMID: 32526784 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive serum and imaging methods offer accessible, accurate, and safe assessment of fibrosis severity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In contrast, current serum and imaging methods for the prediction of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are not sufficiently accurate for routine clinical use. Serum fibrosis markers that incorporate direct measures of fibrogenesis (for example, hyaluronic acid) or fibrinolysis are generally more accurate than biomarkers not incorporating direct measures of fibrogenesis. Elastography methods are more accurate than serum markers for fibrosis assessment and particularly for the determination of cirrhosis, but have a significant failure and/or unreliability rate in obese individuals. To overcome this, combining serum and elastography methods in a sequential manner minimizes indeterminate results and maintains accuracy. The accuracy of current noninvasive methods for monitoring fibrosis response to treatment are limited; however, new tools derived from "omic" methodologies offer promise for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leon A Adams
- Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Hepatology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Wah-Kheong Chan
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Hanif H, Khan MM, Ali MJ, Shah PA, Satiya J, Lau DT, Aslam A. A New Endemic of Concomitant Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Hepatitis B. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101526. [PMID: 33020450 PMCID: PMC7601829 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global public problem despite the availability of an effective vaccine. In the past decades, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has surpassed HBV as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The prevalence of concomitant chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and NAFLD thus reaches endemic proportions in geographic regions where both conditions are common. Patients with CHB and NAFLD are at increased risk of liver disease progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to the complexity of the pathogenesis, accurate diagnosis of NAFLD in CHB patients can be challenging. Liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing and determining disease severity, but it is an invasive procedure with potential complications. There is a growing body of literature on the application of novel noninvasive serum biomarkers and advanced radiological modalities to diagnose and evaluate NAFLD, but most have not been adequately validated, especially for patients with CHB. Currently, there is no approved therapy for NAFLD, although many new agents are in different phases of development. This review provides a summary of the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of the NAFLD and highlights the unmet needs in the areas of CHB and NAFLD coexistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hira Hanif
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Muzammil M. Khan
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Mukarram J. Ali
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Pir A. Shah
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jinendra Satiya
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Daryl T.Y. Lau
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.H.); (M.M.K.); (M.J.A.); (P.A.S.); (J.S.)
- Correspondence: (D.T.Y.L.); (A.A.)
| | - Aysha Aslam
- Department of Medicine, Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
- Correspondence: (D.T.Y.L.); (A.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Long MT, Gandhi S, Loomba R. Advances in non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabolism 2020; 111S:154259. [PMID: 32387227 PMCID: PMC7529729 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common chronic liver disease in the United States, affecting approximately 1 out of every 4 Americans. NAFLD is a spectrum of disorders including simple steatosis, characterized by the presence of hepatic steatosis with minimal inflammation, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by the presence of hepatic steatosis with lobular inflammation, ballooning with or without peri-sinusoidal fibrosis. NASH may lead to progressive fibrosis, and therefore, Individuals with NASH and, in particular, hepatic fibrosis are at increased risk for both liver- and cardiovascular-related outcomes compared to those with steatosis alone. New treatments for NASH and hepatic fibrosis are emerging, so now, more than ever, it is important to identify individuals with more advanced disease who may be candidates for therapy. Noninvasive methods to accurately diagnosis, risk stratify, and monitor both NASH and fibrosis are critically needed. Moreover, since clinically relevant outcomes, such as developing end stage liver disease or liver cancer, take many years to develop, reliable surrogate markers of outcome measures are needed to identify and evaluate potential therapies. In this review, we discuss methods to noninvasively diagnosis and monitor both NASH and fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle T Long
- Section of Gastroenterology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| | - Sanil Gandhi
- Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Rohit Loomba
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America; NAFLD Research Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America; Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family and Preventive, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
CYTOKERATIN-18 AS A MARKER OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE IN OBESE ADOLESCENTS. EUREKA: HEALTH SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.21303/2504-5679.2020.001415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In parallel with the obesity epidemic in the world, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among children and adolescents is growing. Current data suggest that insulin resistance is one of the main factors in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and the content of fragments of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 in the blood serum may be one of the informative indicators of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression.
The aim. To determine mechanisms of formation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children and adolescents by evaluating the level of cytokeratin-18.
Materials and methods. The study involved 46 adolescents with obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease aged 12–17 years: 19 boys (41.3 %) and 27 girls (58.7 %). Clinical (weight, height, waist and hip circumference), laboratory (glucose, immunoreactive insulin, lipid metabolism, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, cytokeratin-18) parameters were studied and instrumental examination (abdominal ultrasound) was performed. To assess insulin resistance the triglyceride-glucose index was calculated.
Results. Depending on the presence of insulin resistance patients were divided into two groups: 21 (45.7 %) of adolescents with insulin resistance and 25 (54.3 %) of adolescents without insulin resistance. Blood tests in patients with insulin resistance revealed significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting immunoreactive insulin, cytokeratin-18 and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. All adolescents were divided into 2 groups depending on the level of cytokeratin-18: patients with cytokeratin-18 >233 mIU/ml and <233 mIU/ml (15 (32.6 %) and 31 (67.4 %) respectively). It was found that there were significantly more patients with insulin resistance in the group with the level of cytokeratin-18 >233 mIU/ml.
Conclusion. In obese adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease insulin resistance is associated with more pronounced disorders of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and higher levels of markers that characterize the state of the liver such as cytokeratin-18 and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Adolescents with obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with a threshold level of cytokeratin-18, which indicates the transformation of steatosis into steatohepatitis, two times more often have present insulin resistance.
Collapse
|
34
|
Noninvasive Tests (NITs) for Hepatic Fibrosis in Fatty Liver Syndrome. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10090198. [PMID: 32933184 PMCID: PMC7555355 DOI: 10.3390/life10090198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver syndrome is an emerging health problem in the world, due to the high prevalence of obesity and alcohol use disorder. Given the nature of the disease's advancement to cirrhosis and liver-related complications, it is important to assess the severity of the disease, which is typically done via a liver biopsy. Due to the limitations and risks of liver biopsy, the role of noninvasive tests is essential and evolving to stratify the stage of the liver disease, predict the outcomes, and/or monitor the treatment response. This review is focused on noninvasive tests, including the use of serum-based biomarkers, ultrasound-based shear wave elastography, transient elastography, and magnetic resonance elastography in both clinical and research settings.
Collapse
|
35
|
Multicenter Validation Study of a Diagnostic Algorithm to Detect NASH and Fibrosis in NAFLD Patients With Low NAFLD Fibrosis Score or Liver Stiffness. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2020; 10:e00066. [PMID: 31397685 PMCID: PMC6736224 DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis play critical roles for the prognosis of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Identification of patients at risk of NASH and fibrosis is therefore critical for disease management. NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) and transient elastography (TE) have been suggested to exclude advanced fibrosis. However, there is increasing evidence that also patients with NASH and early fibrosis are at risk of disease progression and complications, emphasizing the need for improved noninvasive risk stratification in NAFLD. METHODS Because hepatocyte apoptosis plays an early role in NASH pathogenesis, we evaluated whether the apoptosis biomarker M30 might identify NAFLD patients who are at risk of NASH and fibrosis despite low NFS or TE values. Serum M30 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in combination with NFS and/or TE in an exploration (n = 103) and validation (n = 100) cohort of patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD. RESULTS Most patients with low NFS (cutoff value < -1.455) revealed increased M30 levels (>200 U/L) in the exploration (62%) and validation (67%) cohort, and more than 70% of them had NASH, mostly with histological fibrosis. Vice versa, most patients with NFS < -1.455 but nonelevated M30 levels showed no NASH. NASH was also detected in most patients with indeterminate NFS (-1.455 to 0.676) but elevated M30 levels, from which ∼90% showed fibrosis. Similar results were obtained when using TE instead of NFS. DISCUSSION The combination of the M30 biomarker with NFS or TE enables a more reliable identification of patients with an increased risk of progressed NAFLD and improves patient stratification.
Collapse
|
36
|
Guzelcicek A, Gönel A, Koyuncu I, Cigdem G, Kose D, Karadag M, Cadirci D. Investigating the Levels of Brain-Specific Proteins in Hydrocephalus Patients. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2020; 24:409-414. [PMID: 32691706 DOI: 10.2174/1386207323666200720093245] [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: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydrocephalus, a common brain disorder in children, can cause permanent brain damage. A timely diagnosis of this disorder is crucial. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of S-100, CK-18, and NSE brainspecific proteins in patients with hydrocephalus. We examined the levels of these proteins in the blood samples of hydrocephalic patients. METHODS The study was conducted on the hydrocephalus (n = 31) patients and a healthy control group (n = 30). A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the validity of the NSE, CK-18, and S100B to differentiate between the hydrocephalus and the control groups. The suitability of the data to the normal distribution was tested with the Shapiro Wilk test, and the Student t-test was used to compare the characteristics of the normal distribution in two independent groups. The individuals in the hydrocephalus and control groups had similar values in terms of age, height, and weight. RESULTS It was observed that NSE, CK-18, and S100B mean values of the individuals in the hydrocephalus group were significantly higher than NSE, CK-18, and S100B mean values of the control group. CONCLUSION Experiments have shown that the levels of these proteins increase significantly in hydrocephalus patients compared to the healthy group. These three parameters can be considered as important markers in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Guzelcicek
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Ataman Gönel
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Ismail Koyuncu
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Gulyara Cigdem
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Dogan Kose
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Karadag
- Department of Biostatistics, Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Dursun Cadirci
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Lee HW, Ahn SH. How do genetic variants affect our interpretation of non-invasive tests for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 35:915-916. [PMID: 32537755 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15124] [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: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hartman ML, Sanyal AJ, Loomba R, Wilson JM, Nikooienejad A, Bray R, Karanikas CA, Duffin KL, Robins DA, Haupt A. Effects of Novel Dual GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Tirzepatide on Biomarkers of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2020; 43:1352-1355. [PMID: 32291277 PMCID: PMC7245348 DOI: 10.2337/dc19-1892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of tirzepatide, a dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors, on biomarkers of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with T2DM received either once weekly tirzepatide (1, 5, 10, or 15 mg), dulaglutide (1.5 mg), or placebo for 26 weeks. Changes from baseline in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), keratin-18 (K-18), procollagen III (Pro-C3), and adiponectin were analyzed in a modified intention-to-treat population. RESULTS Significant (P < 0.05) reductions from baseline in ALT (all groups), AST (all groups except tirzepatide 10 mg), K-18 (tirzepatide 5, 10, 15 mg), and Pro-C3 (tirzepatide 15 mg) were observed at 26 weeks. Decreases with tirzepatide were significant compared with placebo for K-18 (10 mg) and Pro-C3 (15 mg) and with dulaglutide for ALT (10, 15 mg). Adiponectin significantly increased from baseline with tirzepatide compared with placebo (10, 15 mg). CONCLUSIONS In post hoc analyses, higher tirzepatide doses significantly decreased NASH-related biomarkers and increased adiponectin in patients with T2DM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark L Hartman
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Arun J Sanyal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | | | | | - Ross Bray
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | - Kevin L Duffin
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | - Axel Haupt
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Liu WY, Zheng KI, Pan XY, Ma HL, Zhu PW, Wu XX, Rios RS, Targher G, Byrne CD, Wang XD, Chen YP, Zheng MH. Effect of PNPLA3 polymorphism on diagnostic performance of various noninvasive markers for diagnosing and staging nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 35:1057-1064. [PMID: 31677195 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) I148M (rs738409) genotype influences clinical/biochemical characteristics in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but whether PNPLA3-I148M (rs738409) genotype also influences the diagnostic performance of noninvasive diagnostic tests for NAFLD is uncertain. Our aim was to investigate the differences in diagnostic performance of noninvasive diagnostic tests for NAFLD according to PNPLA3-I148M (rs738409) genotype. METHODS Fifty-eight healthy controls and 349 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) were calculated to predict hepatic steatosis (fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (cytokeratin-18 M30 and M65), and significant fibrosis (≥F2 fibrosis) (fibrosis-4 and BARD), stratifying by rs738409 genotypes (CC and CG + GG groups). RESULTS Fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index showed good diagnostic performance for diagnosing steatosis only in the CG + GG group with AUROCs ranging from 0.819 to 0.832. Cytokeratin-18 M30 (AUROC = 0.688) and M65 (AUROC = 0.678) had suboptimal performance for diagnosing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in the CG + GG group, whereas both had good performance (AUROC = 0.814 and 0.813, respectively) in the CC group. BARD score showed good performance in the CG + GG group compared with the CC group (AUROC = 0.805 and 0.532, respectively). Fibrosis-4 had suboptimal performance in the CG + GG group and good performance in the CC group (AUROC = 0.662 and 0.801, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic performance of noninvasive tests for NAFLD varied markedly according to PNPLA3 genotypes. Clinicians should be aware that PNPLA3 genotype limits the clinical utility of noninvasive diagnostic tests for diagnosing NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yue Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kenneth I Zheng
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Pan
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hong-Lei Ma
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Pei-Wu Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xi-Xi Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Rafael S Rios
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Christopher D Byrne
- Southampton National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Institute of Hepatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yong-Ping Chen
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Institute of Hepatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Institute of Hepatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a spectrum of disease that can range from isolated macrovesicular hepatocellular steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with or without fibrosis to cirrhosis. The prevalence of NAFLD has increased over several decades, mirroring the global obesity pandemic. NAFLD currently represents the most common etiology of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents worldwide. Disease presentation in childhood strongly suggests that these children may have unique susceptibilities and more severe long-term consequences. Emerging data demonstrate that the pathogenesis of early-onset NAFLD is secondary to a complex interplay involving genetic, metabolic, environmental, and microbiological factors. Such influences may begin
in utero. Dietary and lifestyle modifications remain the primary effective therapeutic interventions, although long-term efficacy is limited by poor adoption or adherence. Advances in the development and validation of non-invasive biomarkers and imaging modalities will facilitate diagnosis for affected children and adolescents and facilitate long-term natural history studies and the development of therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Vittorio
- 1. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA
| | - Joel E Lavine
- 1. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of emricasan in patients with NASH and F1-F3 fibrosis. J Hepatol 2020; 72:816-827. [PMID: 31887369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatocyte steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation which may lead to fibrosis. Lipotoxicity activates caspases, which cause apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and IL-18) production. Emricasan is a pan-caspase inhibitor that decreases serum aminotransferases and caspase activation in patients with NASH. This study postulated that 72 weeks of emricasan treatment would improve liver fibrosis without worsening of NASH. METHODS In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study 318 patients were randomized 1:1:1 to twice-daily treatment with emricasan (5 mg or 50 mg) or matching placebo for 72 weeks. Patients had definite NASH and NASH CRN fibrosis stage F1-F3, as determined by a central reader, on a liver biopsy obtained within 6 months of randomization. RESULTS Emricasan treatment did not achieve the primary objective of fibrosis improvement without worsening of NASH (emricasan 5 mg: 11.2%; emricasan 50 mg: 12.3%; placebo: 19.0%; odds ratios vs. placebo 0.530 and 0.588, with p = 0.972 and 0.972, respectively) or the secondary objective of NASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis (emricasan 5 mg: 3.7%; emricasan 50 mg: 6.6%; placebo: 10.5%; odds ratios vs. placebo 0.334 and 0.613, with p = 0.070 and 0.335, respectively). In the small subset of patients with consistent normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase over 72 weeks, emricasan may have improved histologic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Emricasan treatment did not improve liver histology in patients with NASH fibrosis despite target engagement and may have worsened fibrosis and ballooning. Caspase inhibition lowered serum alanine aminotransferase in the short-term but may have directed cells to alternative mechanisms of cell death, resulting in more liver fibrosis and hepatocyte ballooning. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER Clinical Trials.gov #NCT02686762. LAY SUMMARY Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by fat accumulation in liver cells, which leads to inflammation and fibrosis. Emricasan was previously shown to inhibit some of the liver enzymes which lead to liver inflammation and fibrosis. In this study, emricasan did not improve liver inflammation or fibrosis in patients with NASH and pre-existing liver fibrosis.
Collapse
|
42
|
Goldner D, Lavine JE. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children: Unique Considerations and Challenges. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:1967-1983.e1. [PMID: 32201176 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in prevalence in concert with the global epidemic of obesity and is being diagnosed at increasingly younger ages. The unique histologic features and early presentation of disease in pediatrics suggest that children and adults may differ with regard to etiopathogenesis, with children displaying a greater vulnerability to genetic and environmental factors. Of significant relevance to pediatrics, in utero and perinatal stressors may alter the lifelong health trajectory of a child, increasing the risk of NAFLD and other cardiometabolic diseases. The development and progression of disease in childhood is likely to carry increased risk of long-term morbidity. Novel biomarkers and therapeutic agents are needed to avoid the otherwise inevitable health and societal consequences of this rapidly expanding pediatric population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dana Goldner
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Joel E Lavine
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Vittorio JM, Lavine JE. Role of Exercise in Mitigating Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Diabetes Care 2020; 43:280-282. [PMID: 31959645 DOI: 10.2337/dci19-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Vittorio
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - Joel E Lavine
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
The Role of Noninvasive Tests for Differentiating NASH From NAFL and Diagnosing Advanced Fibrosis Among Patients With NAFLD. J Clin Gastroenterol 2020; 54:107-113. [PMID: 31789757 PMCID: PMC7945957 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Assessing for the presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the presence of advanced fibrosis is vital among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as each is predictive of disease outcomes. A liver biopsy is the gold standard method for doing so but is impossible to perform among all patients with NAFLD. Reliable methods for noninvasively detecting for the presence of NASH and advanced fibrosis are thus a pressing need. The search for noninvasive tests has been more successful for advanced fibrosis than for NASH. Clinical prediction models and elastography have acceptable accuracy for ruling out advanced fibrosis; when used together, as in a fibrosis prediction algorithm presented in this review, it can avoid the need for liver biopsy among many patients with NAFLD. Several biomarkers for identifying the presence of NASH have been studied but none are sufficiently accurate or validated. Of those studied, the most promising include CK-18 fragments, lipodomic and metabolomics candidates, and magnetic resonance elastography with proton density fat fraction. However, none are ready for clinical use and ultimately large multicenter prospective cohort studies are needed to validate select novel biomarkers.
Collapse
|
45
|
Drug-Induced Steatosis and Steatohepatitis: The Search for Novel Serum Biomarkers Among Potential Biomarkers for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Drug Saf 2020; 42:701-711. [PMID: 30762163 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-018-00790-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Drug-induced steatosis (DIS) and drug-induced steatohepatitis (DISH) are two of several types of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). They can be caused by various drugs and may present as acute, potentially lethal disorders or as chronic slowly progressive liver injury. Despite the fact that they are distinct disorders, the slow progressive forms of DIS and DISH are often confused with or misdiagnosed as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which are much more common and, by definition, not caused by drugs. Currently the only way to identify DIS is via imaging studies or a liver biopsy, while DISH can be identified only through liver biopsy. In addition, diagnosis of either DIS or DISH requires an exhaustive clinical evaluation and comprehensive causality assessment to rule out other possible causes and determine the association with the suspected drug. Furthermore, it is difficult, using existing methods, to monitor the progression of DIS and DISH and to determine the underlying mechanism. Therefore, there is a great unmet need for non-invasive biomarkers that will be able to identify the development of DIS or DISH during drug development and to monitor for progression or regression of the disorder during treatment or following drug discontinuation. Recent developments in the fields of NAFLD and NASH have introduced several novel biomarkers that show promise for the diagnosis, monitoring, and severity assessment of these common diseases. Given the significant overlap in possible underlying mechanisms and histological pattern between NAFLD/NASH and DIS/DISH, these postulated NAFLD and NASH biomarkers may have a potential application to DIS and DISH. This article reviews the existing medical literature and other publically available information pertaining to novel serum biomarkers for NAFLD and NASH, and explores the concurrent identification of these biomarkers for DIS and DISH.
Collapse
|
46
|
Cheung A, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Kleiner DE, Schabel E, Rinella M, Harrison S, Ratziu V, Sanyal AJ, Loomba R, Jeannin Megnien S, Torstenson R, Miller V. Defining Improvement in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis for Treatment Trial Endpoints: Recommendations From the Liver Forum. Hepatology 2019; 70:1841-1855. [PMID: 31034092 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Identifying effective therapies for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with fibrosis is a pressing challenge, with 1%-2% of the population in developed nations at risk of developing NASH cirrhosis and its complications. The design of NASH clinical therapeutic trials is hampered by the long period of minimally symptomatic disease that typically precedes the development of decompensated cirrhosis and the accompanying uncertainties regarding the best precirrhotic trial endpoints that reliably reflect a subsequent reduction in liver-related morbidity and mortality. The Liver Forum is a multistakeholder organization comprised of academic, industry, and regulatory experts working from a regulatory science perspective to identify barriers, prioritize research, and identify solutions to accelerate therapeutic development for NASH. Past work of The Liver Forum has focused on recommendations for disease definitions and baseline parameters to be implemented in clinical trials that are designed to assess disease status and prevent progression to cirrhosis, liver transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. The purpose of this summary is to review currently available clinical data to identify parameters that change in parallel with liver histology and are likely to reflect clinically meaningful reductions in the risk of developing cirrhosis and its complications. We review available data on exploratory histological, blood-based, and imaging pharmacodynamic biomarkers that may reflect meaningful treatment responses and provide recommendations regarding measurements to be considered in phase 2 and 3 trials as well as during postmarketing monitoring trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Cheung
- Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | | | | | - Elmer Schabel
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, Bonn, Germany/European Medicines Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Rinella
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Vlad Ratziu
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière et Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Arun J Sanyal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Rohit Loomba
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA
| | | | | | - Veronica Miller
- Forum for Collaborative Research, University of California School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Tzifi F, Fretzayas A, Chrousos G, Kanaka-Gantenbein C. Non-alcoholic fatty liver infiltration in children: an underdiagnosed evolving disease. Hormones (Athens) 2019; 18:255-265. [PMID: 31140156 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-019-00107-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) constitutes the most common liver disease, one that is still underdiagnosed in pediatric populations (as well as in the general population), this due to the progressive increase in childhood obesity observed both in developed and developing countries during the last few decades. The pathophysiology of the disease has not been thoroughly clarified yet. The condition displays common pathways in adults and children; however, there are age-related differences. Unlike adults, children with NAFLD require extensive laboratory analysis, because underlying pathologies other than obesity may contribute to the evolution of the disease. Despite the presence of several serum markers and imaging techniques that contribute to NAFLD diagnosis, liver biopsy remains the gold standard diagnostic procedure. Early intervention and obesity prevention are mandatory, as NAFLD is reversible at an early stage. If left undiagnosed and untreated, NAFLD can progress to steatohepatitis (NASH) and subsequent liver failure, a potentially lethal complication. Of note, there are no treatment options when advanced liver fibrosis occurs. This review summarizes literature data on NAFLD in childhood indicating that this is an evolving disease and a significant component of the metabolic syndrome. Pediatricians should be aware of this entity, screening children at high risk and providing appropriate early management, in collaboration with pediatric subspecialists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flora Tzifi
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
- Athens Medical Group, Marousi, Greece.
| | | | - George Chrousos
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
- First Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
NAFLD in children: new genes, new diagnostic modalities and new drugs. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16:517-530. [PMID: 31278377 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0169-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has rapidly become the most common form of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents. Over the past 5 years, developments have revolutionized our understanding of the genetic factors, natural history, diagnostic modalities and therapeutic targets for this disease. New polymorphisms, such as those in PNPLA3, TM6SF2, MBOAT7 and GCKR, have been identified and used to predict the development and severity of NAFLD in both adults and children, and their interaction with environmental factors has been elucidated. Studies have demonstrated the true burden of paediatric NAFLD and its progression to end-stage liver disease in adulthood. In particular, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can progress to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis. Non-invasive imaging tests, such as transient elastography, will probably replace liver biopsy for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and the assessment of fibrosis severity in the near future. The therapeutic landscape is also expanding rapidly with the development of drugs that can modify liver steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis, indicating that pharmacotherapy for NAFLD will become available in the future. In this Review, we summarize current knowledge and new advances related to the pathogenesis and management of paediatric NAFLD.
Collapse
|
49
|
Tsurusaki S, Tsuchiya Y, Koumura T, Nakasone M, Sakamoto T, Matsuoka M, Imai H, Yuet-Yin Kok C, Okochi H, Nakano H, Miyajima A, Tanaka M. Hepatic ferroptosis plays an important role as the trigger for initiating inflammation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:449. [PMID: 31209199 PMCID: PMC6579767 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1678-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a metabolic liver disease that progresses from simple steatosis to the disease state of inflammation and fibrosis. Previous studies suggest that apoptosis and necroptosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of NASH, based on several murine models. However, the mechanisms underlying the transition of simple steatosis to steatohepatitis remain unclear, because it is difficult to identify when and where such cell deaths begin to occur in the pathophysiological process of NASH. In the present study, our aim is to investigate which type of cell death plays a role as the trigger for initiating inflammation in fatty liver. By establishing a simple method of discriminating between apoptosis and necrosis in the liver, we found that necrosis occurred prior to apoptosis at the onset of steatohepatitis in the choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet model. To further investigate what type of necrosis is involved in the initial necrotic cell death, we examined the effect of necroptosis and ferroptosis inhibition by administering inhibitors to wild-type mice in the CDE diet model. In addition, necroptosis was evaluated using mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) knockout mice, which is lacking in a terminal executor of necroptosis. Consequently, necroptosis inhibition failed to block the onset of necrotic cell death, while ferroptosis inhibition protected hepatocytes from necrotic death almost completely, and suppressed the subsequent infiltration of immune cells and inflammatory reaction. Furthermore, the amount of oxidized phosphatidylethanolamine, which is involved in ferroptosis pathway, was increased in the liver sample of the CDE diet-fed mice. These findings suggest that hepatic ferroptosis plays an important role as the trigger for initiating inflammation in steatohepatitis and may be a therapeutic target for preventing the onset of steatohepatitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Tsurusaki
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Tsuchiya
- Department of Biochemistry, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Koumura
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Misaki Nakasone
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taro Sakamoto
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Matsuoka
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Imai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Cindy Yuet-Yin Kok
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Hitoshi Okochi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Nakano
- Department of Biochemistry, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Miyajima
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Therapy, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Tanaka
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Association between Alanine Aminotransferase and Growth Hormone: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Short Children and Adolescents. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:5939372. [PMID: 31073528 PMCID: PMC6470421 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5939372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to examine the relationship between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and growth hormone (GH) in children and adolescents with short stature. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 670 Chinese children and adolescents with short stature were included, and 253 of them received recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators were measured. GH peak levels were assessed after provocation tests with L-dopa and insulin. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the GH peak level. The association between the GH peak and ALT was analyzed. The change of ALT during rhGH therapy was assessed by a generalized additive mixed model. Results Serum ALT and incidence of ALT elevation were both decreased across the GH tertiles (P = 0.002, 0.012, respectively). A univariate analysis showed that the GH peak was negatively associated with ALT (β: -0.12; 95%CI: -0.22, -0.02; P = 0.023). Furthermore, multiple linear stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that the GH peak was independently related to ALT after adjusting for other confounding variables (β: -0.12; 95%CI: -0.24, -0.00; P = 0.042). Besides, mean values of the change in ALT from baseline displayed that, during the early stages of rhGH treatment, serum ALT level indicated a temporary upward trend, but it subsequently gradually decreased (β: -0.16; 95%CI: -0.23, -0.09; P < 0.001). Conclusions GH secretion level was strongly negatively correlated with ALT in short children and adolescents. And rhGH therapy could reduce ALT level over time.
Collapse
|