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Di Ciaula A, Portincasa P. Bridging current knowledge gap: better primary colorectal cancer prevention in people living with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver. Intern Emerg Med 2024; 19:887-889. [PMID: 38691255 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-024-03617-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePrev-J), University of Bari Medical School, P.zza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePrev-J), University of Bari Medical School, P.zza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
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Portincasa P. NAFLD, MAFLD, and beyond: one or several acronyms for better comprehension and patient care. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:993-1006. [PMID: 36807050 PMCID: PMC10326150 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03203-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has rapidly become the most common type of chronic liver disease. NAFLD points to excessive hepatic fat storage and no evidence of secondary hepatic fat accumulation in patients with "no or little alcohol consumption". Both the etiology and pathogenesis of NAFLD are largely unknown, and a definitive therapy is lacking. Since NAFLD is very often and closely associated with metabolic dysfunctions, a consensus process is ongoing to shift the acronym NAFLD to MAFLD, i.e., metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. The change in terminology is likely to improve the classification of affected individuals, the disease awareness, the comprehension of the terminology and pathophysiological aspects involved, and the choice of more personalized therapeutic approaches while avoiding the intrinsic stigmatization due to the term "non-alcoholic". Even more recently, other sub-classifications have been proposed to concentrate the heterogeneous causes of fatty liver disease under one umbrella. While awaiting additional validation studies in this field, we discuss the main reasons underlying this important shift of paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Preventive and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePrev-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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Di Ciaula A, Shanmugam H, Ribeiro R, Pina A, Andrade R, Bonfrate L, Raposo JF, Macedo MP, Portincasa P. Liver fat accumulation more than fibrosis causes early liver dynamic dysfunction in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Eur J Intern Med 2023; 107:52-59. [PMID: 36344354 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2022.10.024] [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: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), events driving early hepatic dysfunction with respect to specific metabolic pathways are still poorly known. METHODS We enrolled 84 subjects with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D). FibroScan® served to assess NAFLD by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and fibrosis by liver stiffness (LS). Patients with LS above 7 kPa were excluded. APRI and FIB-4 were used as additional serum biomarkers of fibrosis. The stable-isotope dynamic breath test was used to assess the hepatic efficiency of portal extraction (as DOB15) and microsomal metabolization (as cPDR30) of orally-administered (13C)-methacetin. RESULTS NAFLD occurred in 45%, 65.9%, and 91.3% of normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects, respectively. Biomarkers of liver fibrosis were comparable across subgroups, and LS was higher in obese, than in normal weight subjects. DOB15 was 23.2 ± 1.5‰ in normal weight subjects, tended to decrease in overweight (19.9 ± 1.0‰) and decreased significantly in obese subjects (16.9 ± 1.3, P = 0.008 vs. normal weight). Subjects with NAFLD had lower DOB15 (18.7 ± 0.9 vs. 22.1 ± 1.2, P = 0.03) but higher LS (4.7 ± 0.1 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 kPa, P = 0.0003) than subjects without NAFLD, irrespective of fibrosis. DOB15 (but not cPDR30) decreased with increasing degree of NAFLD (R = -0.26; P = 0.01) and LS (R = -0.23, P = 0.03). Patients with T2D showed increased rate of NAFLD than those without T2D but similar LS, DOB15 and cPDR30. CONCLUSIONS Overweight, obesity and liver fat accumulation manifest with deranged portal extraction efficiency of methacetin into the steatotic hepatocyte. This functional alteration occurs early, and irrespective of significant fibrosis and presence of T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Harshitha Shanmugam
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Rogério Ribeiro
- Portuguese Diabetes Association-Education and Research Center (APDP-ERC), Lisbon 1150-082, Portugal
| | - Ana Pina
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS|FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa 1169-056, Portugal
| | - Rita Andrade
- Portuguese Diabetes Association-Education and Research Center (APDP-ERC), Lisbon 1150-082, Portugal
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy.
| | - João F Raposo
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS|FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa 1169-056, Portugal; Portuguese Diabetes Association-Education and Research Center (APDP-ERC), Lisbon 1150-082, Portugal
| | - M Paula Macedo
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS|FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa 1169-056, Portugal; Portuguese Diabetes Association-Education and Research Center (APDP-ERC), Lisbon 1150-082, Portugal
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy.
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Brennan PN, Dillon JF, McCrimmon R. Advances and Emerging Therapies in the Treatment of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis. TOUCHREVIEWS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 18:148-155. [PMID: 36694893 PMCID: PMC9835815 DOI: 10.17925/ee.2022.18.2.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) now represents one of the most prevalent forms of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A number of treatment agents have undergone assessment in humans following promising results in animal models. Currently, about 50 therapeutic agents are in various stages of development. Recently, however, there have been a number of exciting and positive developments in this landscape, although there are inherent challenges ahead. In this article, we review the aetiological and pathological basis of NASH progression and describe putative targets for current therapies. We also discuss some of the likely future directions and difficulties around this complex and challenging disease paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul N Brennan
- The University of Edinburgh, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, UK,NHS Tayside, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK,The University of Dundee, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - John F Dillon
- NHS Tayside, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK,The University of Dundee, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Rory McCrimmon
- NHS Tayside, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK,The University of Dundee, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
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Potential Therapeutic Implication of Herbal Medicine in Mitochondria-Mediated Oxidative Stress-Related Liver Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11102041. [PMID: 36290765 PMCID: PMC9598588 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11102041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles that play a role in ATP synthesis, calcium homeostasis, oxidation-reduction status, apoptosis, and inflammation. Several human disorders have been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. It has been found that traditional therapeutic herbs are effective on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which are leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to oxidative stress is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction and is considered critical for treatment. The role of oxidative stress, lipid toxicity, and inflammation in NAFLD are well known. NAFLD is a chronic liver disease that commonly progresses to cirrhosis and chronic liver disease, and people with obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension are at a higher risk of developing NAFLD. NAFLD is associated with a number of pathological factors, including insulin resistance, lipid metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. As a result, the improvement in steatosis and inflammation is enough to entice researchers to look into liver disease treatment. However, antioxidant treatment has not been very effective for liver disease. Additionally, it has been suggested that the beneficial effects of herbal medicines on immunity and inflammation are governed by various mechanisms for lipid metabolism and inflammation control. This review provided a summary of research on herbal medicines for the therapeutic implementation of mitochondria-mediated ROS production in liver disease as well as clinical applications through herbal medicine. In addition, the pathophysiology of common liver disorders such as ALD and NAFLD would be investigated in the role that mitochondria play in the process to open new therapeutic avenues in the management of patients with liver disease.
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Di Ciaula A, Bonfrate L, Portincasa P. The role of microbiota in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13768. [PMID: 35294774 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent liver disease worldwide. Gut microbiota can play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD since dysbiosis is associated with reduced bacterial diversity, altered Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a relative abundance of alcohol-producing bacteria, or other specific genera. Changes can promote disrupted intestinal barrier and hyperpermeability, filtration of bacterial products, activation of the immune system, and pro-inflammatory changes in the intestine, in the liver, and at a systemic level. Microbiota-derived molecules can contribute to the steatogenic effects. The link between gut dysbiosis and NAFLD, however, is confused by several factors which include age, BMI, comorbidities, dietary components, and lifestyle. The role of toxic chemicals in food and water requires further studies in both gut dysbiosis and NAFLD. We can anticipate that gut microbiota manipulation will represent a potential therapeutic tool to delay or reverse the progression of NAFLD, paving the way to primary prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Di Ciaula A, Bonfrate L, Krawczyk M, Frühbeck G, Portincasa P. Synergistic and Detrimental Effects of Alcohol Intake on Progression of Liver Steatosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052636. [PMID: 35269779 PMCID: PMC8910376 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are the most common liver disorders worldwide and the major causes of non-viral liver cirrhosis in the general population. In NAFLD, metabolic abnormalities, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are the driving factors for liver damage with no or minimal alcohol consumption. ALD refers to liver damage caused by excess alcohol intake in individuals drinking more than 5 to 10 daily units for years. Although NAFLD and ALD are nosologically considered two distinct entities, they show a continuum and exert synergistic effects on the progression toward liver cirrhosis. The current view is that low alcohol use might also increase the risk of advanced clinical liver disease in NAFLD, whereas metabolic factors increase the risk of cirrhosis among alcohol risk drinkers. Therefore, special interest is now addressed to individuals with metabolic abnormalities who consume small amounts of alcohol or who binge drink, for the role of light-to-moderate alcohol use in fibrosis progression and clinical severity of the liver disease. Evidence shows that in the presence of NAFLD, there is no liver-safe limit of alcohol intake. We discuss the epidemiological and clinical features of NAFLD/ALD, aspects of alcohol metabolism, and mechanisms of damage concerning steatosis, fibrosis, cumulative effects, and deleterious consequences which include hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica “Augusto Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School—Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica “Augusto Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School—Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.B.)
| | - Marcin Krawczyk
- Department of Medicine II Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, 66424 Homburg, Germany;
- Laboratory of Metabolic Liver Diseases, Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gema Frühbeck
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), ISCIII, 31009 Pamplona, Spain
- Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31009 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “Augusto Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School—Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence:
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Portincasa P, Bonfrate L, Khalil M, Angelis MD, Calabrese FM, D’Amato M, Wang DQH, Di Ciaula A. Intestinal Barrier and Permeability in Health, Obesity and NAFLD. Biomedicines 2021; 10:83. [PMID: 35052763 PMCID: PMC8773010 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The largest surface of the human body exposed to the external environment is the gut. At this level, the intestinal barrier includes luminal microbes, the mucin layer, gastrointestinal motility and secretion, enterocytes, immune cells, gut vascular barrier, and liver barrier. A healthy intestinal barrier is characterized by the selective permeability of nutrients, metabolites, water, and bacterial products, and processes are governed by cellular, neural, immune, and hormonal factors. Disrupted gut permeability (leaky gut syndrome) can represent a predisposing or aggravating condition in obesity and the metabolically associated liver steatosis (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD). In what follows, we describe the morphological-functional features of the intestinal barrier, the role of major modifiers of the intestinal barrier, and discuss the recent evidence pointing to the key role of intestinal permeability in obesity/NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Mohamad Khalil
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.C.)
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy; (M.D.A.); (F.M.C.)
| | - Maria De Angelis
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy; (M.D.A.); (F.M.C.)
| | - Francesco Maria Calabrese
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy; (M.D.A.); (F.M.C.)
| | - Mauro D’Amato
- Gastrointestinal Genetics Lab, CIC bioGUNE-BRTA, 48160 Derio, Spain;
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - David Q.-H. Wang
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA;
| | - Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.C.)
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Di Ciaula A, Calamita G, Shanmugam H, Khalil M, Bonfrate L, Wang DQH, Baffy G, Portincasa P. Mitochondria Matter: Systemic Aspects of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Diagnostic Assessment of Liver Function by Stable Isotope Dynamic Breath Tests. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7702. [PMID: 34299321 PMCID: PMC8305940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver plays a key role in systemic metabolic processes, which include detoxification, synthesis, storage, and export of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. The raising trends of obesity and metabolic disorders worldwide is often associated with the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has become the most frequent type of chronic liver disorder with risk of progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver mitochondria play a key role in degrading the pathways of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and xenobiotics, and to provide energy for the body cells. The morphological and functional integrity of mitochondria guarantee the proper functioning of β-oxidation of free fatty acids and of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Evaluation of the liver in clinical medicine needs to be accurate in NAFLD patients and includes history, physical exam, imaging, and laboratory assays. Evaluation of mitochondrial function in chronic liver disease and NAFLD is now possible by novel diagnostic tools. "Dynamic" liver function tests include the breath test (BT) based on the use of substrates marked with the non-radioactive, naturally occurring stable isotope 13C. Hepatocellular metabolization of the substrate will generate 13CO2, which is excreted in breath and measured by mass spectrometry or infrared spectroscopy. Breath levels of 13CO2 are biomarkers of specific metabolic processes occurring in the hepatocyte cytosol, microsomes, and mitochondria. 13C-BTs explore distinct chronic liver diseases including simple liver steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, drug, and alcohol effects. In NAFLD, 13C-BT use substrates such as α-ketoisocaproic acid, methionine, and octanoic acid to assess mitochondrial oxidation capacity which can be impaired at an early stage of disease. 13C-BTs represent an indirect, cost-effective, and easy method to evaluate dynamic liver function. Further applications are expected in clinical medicine. In this review, we discuss the involvement of liver mitochondria in the progression of NAFLD, together with the role of 13C-BT in assessing mitochondrial function and its potential use in the prevention and management of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70100 Bari, Italy;
| | - Harshitha Shanmugam
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
| | - Mohamad Khalil
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
| | - David Q.-H. Wang
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center, Department of Medicine and Genetics, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
| | - Gyorgy Baffy
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02130, USA;
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
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Shanmugam H, Di Ciaula A, Di Palo DM, Molina‐Molina E, Garruti G, Faienza MF, vanErpecum K, Portincasa P. Multiplying effects of COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic risk and fatty liver. Eur J Clin Invest 2021; 51:e13597. [PMID: 34032283 PMCID: PMC8209861 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social containment measures imposed in Europe during the lockdown to face COVID-19 pandemic can generate long-term potential threats for metabolic health. METHODS A cohort of 494 non-COVID-19 subjects living in 21 EU countries were interviewed by an anonymous questionnaire exploring anthropometric and lifestyle changes during 1-month lockdown. A subgroup of 41 overweight/obese Italian subjects with previously diagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) joined the study following a 12-month follow-up period promoting weight loss by healthy lifestyle. RESULTS During the lockdown, body weight increased in 55% of subjects (average 2.4 ± 0.9 kg). Weight change increased with age, but not baseline body mass index. Subjects living in Italy had greater weight gain than those living in other European Countries. Weight gain during the lockdown was highest in subjects reporting no physical activity, and low adherence to Mediterranean diet. In the NAFLD group, weight gain occurred in 70% of cases. Subjects reporting weight loss during lockdown had decreased fatty liver score at 3 months before the lockdown, as compared with 1 year before. CONCLUSIONS Strict measures of social containment-even short-term-pave the way to the increased risk of metabolic abnormalities in the medium-long term. In this context, adherence to Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity play a protective role both in terms of weight gain and fatty liver development/progression, with implication for primary and secondary prevention. When adopting measures imposing social containment, intensive educational campaigns must increase public awareness about beneficial effects of healthy lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshitha Shanmugam
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Domenica Maria Di Palo
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Emilio Molina‐Molina
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Gabriella Garruti
- Section of EndocrinologyDepartment of Emergency and Organ TransplantationsUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro” Medical SchoolBariItaly
| | - Maria Felicia Faienza
- Paediatric SectionDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
| | - Karel vanErpecum
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity Medical CenterUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human OncologyUniversity of Bari “Aldo Moro”BariItaly
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Di Ciaula A, Passarella S, Shanmugam H, Noviello M, Bonfrate L, Wang DQH, Portincasa P. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Mitochondria as Players and Targets of Therapies? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105375. [PMID: 34065331 PMCID: PMC8160908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease and represents the hepatic expression of several metabolic abnormalities of high epidemiologic relevance. Fat accumulation in the hepatocytes results in cellular fragility and risk of progression toward necroinflammation, i.e., nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. Several pathways contribute to fat accumulation and damage in the liver and can also involve the mitochondria, whose functional integrity is essential to maintain liver bioenergetics. In NAFLD/NASH, both structural and functional mitochondrial abnormalities occur and can involve mitochondrial electron transport chain, decreased mitochondrial β-oxidation of free fatty acids, excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation. NASH is a major target of therapy, but there is no established single or combined treatment so far. Notably, translational and clinical studies point to mitochondria as future therapeutic targets in NAFLD since the prevention of mitochondrial damage could improve liver bioenergetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
| | - Salvatore Passarella
- School of Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (P.P.); Tel.: +39-328-468-7215 (P.P.)
| | - Harshitha Shanmugam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
| | - Marica Noviello
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
| | - David Q.-H. Wang
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.C.); (H.S.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (P.P.); Tel.: +39-328-468-7215 (P.P.)
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