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Hunt C, Patel M, Bayona Molano MDP, Patel MS, VanWagner LB. Radiological and Surgical Treatments of Portal Hypertension. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:437-453. [PMID: 38945636 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Interventions for portal hypertension are continuously evolving and expanding beyond the realm of medical management. When complications such as varices and ascites persist despite conservative interventions, procedures including transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation, transvenous obliteration, portal vein recanalization, splenic artery embolization, surgical shunt creation, and devascularization are all potential interventions detailed in this article. Selection of the optimal procedure to address the underlying cause, treat symptoms, and, in some cases, bridge to liver transplantation depends on the specific etiology of portal hypertension and the patient's comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Hunt
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Mausam Patel
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Maria Del Pilar Bayona Molano
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1500 San Pablo Street, Health Sciences Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Madhukar S Patel
- Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5939 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lisa B VanWagner
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5959 Harry Hines Boulevard, Suite HP4.420M, Dallas, TX 75390-8887, USA.
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Thomsen KL, Sørensen M, Kjærgaard K, Eriksen PL, Lauridsen MM, Vilstrup H. Cerebral Aspects of Portal Hypertension: Hepatic Encephalopathy. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:541-554. [PMID: 38945642 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Portal hypertension has cerebral consequences via its causes and complications, namely hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a common and devastating brain disturbance caused by liver insufficiency and portosystemic shunting. The pathogenesis involves hyperammonemia and systemic inflammation. Symptoms are disturbed personality and reduced attention. HE is minimal or grades I to IV (coma). Bouts of HE are episodic and often recurrent. Initial treatment is of events that precipitated the episode and exclusion of nonhepatic causes. Specific anti-HE treatment is lactulose. By recurrence, rifaximin is add-on. Anti-HE treatment is efficacious also for prophylaxis, but emergence of HE marks advanced liver disease and a dismal prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Louise Thomsen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark.
| | - Michael Sørensen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark; Department of Internal Medicine, Viborg Regional Hospital, Heibergs Allé 5A, 8800 Viborg, Denmark
| | - Kristoffer Kjærgaard
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark
| | - Peter Lykke Eriksen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark
| | - Mette Munk Lauridsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of South Denmark, Finsensgade 35, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark
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3
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Wang Y, Xue YF, Xu YF, Wang MW, Guan J, Chen X. Elevated serum neurofilament light chain levels are associated with hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis. Metab Brain Dis 2024:10.1007/s11011-024-01381-0. [PMID: 38995495 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-024-01381-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Increasing evidences implicate vital role of neuronal damage in the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is the main frame component of neurons and is closely related to axonal radial growth and neuronal structural stability. We hypothesized that NfL as a biomarker of axonal injury may contribute to early diagnosis of HE. This study recruited 101 patients with liver cirrhosis, 10 healthy individuals, and 7 patients with Parkinson's disease. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) was diagnosed using psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score. Serum NfL levels were measured by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Serum NfL levels in cirrhotic patients with MHE were significantly higher than cirrhotic patients without MHE, and increased accordingly with the aggravation of HE. Serum NfL levels were associated with psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score, Child-Pugh score, model for end-stage liver disease score, and days of hospitalization. Additionally, serum NfL was an independent predictor of MHE (odds ratio of 1.020 (95% CI 1.005-1.034); P = 0.007). The discriminative abilities of serum NfL were high for identifying MHE (AUC of 0.8134 (95% CI 0.7130-0.9219); P ˂ 0.001) and OHE (AUC of 0.8852 (95% CI 0.8117-0.9587); P ˂ 0.001). Elevated serum NfL levels correlated with the presence of MHE and associated with the severity of HE, are expected to be a biomarker in patients with cirrhosis. Our study suggested that neuronal damage may play a critical role in the development of HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Yu-Feng Xue
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Yi-Fan Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Jing Guan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China.
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China.
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230022, China.
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China.
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4
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Zhang S, Wang Q, Tan DEL, Sikka V, Ng CH, Xian Y, Li D, Muthiah M, Chew NWS, Storm G, Tong L, Wang J. Gut-liver axis: Potential mechanisms of action of food-derived extracellular vesicles. J Extracell Vesicles 2024; 13:e12466. [PMID: 38887165 PMCID: PMC11183959 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12466] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Food-derived extracellular vesicles (FEVs) are nanoscale membrane vesicles obtained from dietary materials such as breast milk, plants and probiotics. Distinct from other EVs, FEVs can survive the harsh degrading conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and reach the intestines. This unique feature allows FEVs to be promising prebiotics in health and oral nanomedicine for gut disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Interestingly, therapeutic effects of FEVs have recently also been observed in non-gastrointestinal diseases. However, the mechanisms remain unclear or even mysterious. It is speculated that orally administered FEVs could enter the bloodstream, reach remote organs, and thus exert therapeutic effects therein. However, emerging evidence suggests that the amount of FEVs reaching organs beyond the gastrointestinal tract is marginal and may be insufficient to account for the significant therapeutic effects achieved regarding diseases involving remote organs such as the liver. Thus, we herein propose that FEVs primarily act locally in the intestine by modulating intestinal microenvironments such as barrier integrity and microbiota, thereby eliciting therapeutic impact remotely on the liver in non-gastrointestinal diseases via the gut-liver axis. Likewise, drugs delivered to the gastrointestinal system through FEVs may act via the gut-liver axis. As the liver is the main metabolic hub, the intestinal microenvironment may be implicated in other metabolic diseases. In fact, many patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease suffer from a leaky gut and dysbiosis. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent progress in FEVs and discuss their biomedical applications as therapeutic agents and drug delivery systems, highlighting the pivotal role of the gut-liver axis in the mechanisms of action of FEVs for the treatment of gut disorders and metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitong Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Qiyue Wang
- Jinan Central HospitalShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation CenterShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
| | - Daniel En Liang Tan
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Vritika Sikka
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Cheng Han Ng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of MedicineNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yan Xian
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of ScienceNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Mark Muthiah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of MedicineNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
- National University Centre for Organ TransplantationNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore
| | - Nicholas W. S. Chew
- Department of CardiologyNational University Heart CentreNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Lingjun Tong
- Jinan Central HospitalShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation CenterShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
| | - Jiong‐Wei Wang
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI)National University Heart Centre Singapore (NUHCS)SingaporeSingapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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5
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Llansola M. Preface for the Vicente Felipo Honorary Issue of Neurochemical Research. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:1421-1426. [PMID: 38641758 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04139-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Principe Felipe Research Center, Valencia, Spain.
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Mino M, Sano A, Kakazu E, Matsubara H, Kakisaka K, Kogure T, Sekine K, Aoki Y, Imamura M, Matsuda M, Yamazoe T, Mori T, Yoshio S, Inoue J, Masamune A, Kanto T. Differences in branched-chain amino acid to tyrosine ratio (BTR) among etiologies of chronic liver disease progression compared to healthy adults. J Gastroenterol 2024; 59:483-493. [PMID: 38530472 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-024-02092-0] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to tyrosine (Tyr) ratio (BTR) test is used to evaluate the progression of chronic liver disease (CLD). However, the differences across sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and etiologies are still unclear. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data from 2,529 CLD cases with free amino acids (FAAs) in peripheral blood from four hospitals and 16,421 general adults with FAAs data from a biobank database. In total, 1,326 patients with CLD (covering seven etiologies) and 8,086 healthy controls (HCs) were analyzed after exclusion criteria. We investigated the change of BTR in HCs by sex, age and BMI and then compared these to patients divided by modified ALBI (mALBI) grade after propensity score matching. RESULTS BTR is significantly higher in males than females regardless of age or BMI and decreases with aging in HCs. In 20 types of FAAs, 7 FAAs including BCAAs were significantly decreased, and 11 FAAs including Tyr were significantly increased by mALBI grade in total CLD. The decreasing timings of BTR were at mALBI grade 2b in all CLD etiologies compared to HCs, however in chronic hepatitis C (CHC), chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD), BTR started to decrease at 2a. There was a positive correlation between BCAAs and albumin among parameters in BTR and mALBI. The correlation coefficients in PBC, ALD and MASLD were higher than those of other etiologies. CONCLUSIONS BTR varies by sex and age even among healthy adults, and decreasing process and timing of BTR during disease progression is different among CLD etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Mino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Akitoshi Sano
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Eiji Kakazu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan.
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan.
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan.
| | - Hiroko Matsubara
- Department of Biobank, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-0872, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kakisaka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Idaidori, Yahabacho, Shiwagun, Iwate, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kogure
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Miyagi, 1-15-1, Fukumuro, Miyaginoku, Sendai, 983-8536, Japan
| | - Katsunori Sekine
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Aoki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Imamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Michitaka Matsuda
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Taiji Yamazoe
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Taizo Mori
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Yoshio
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Jun Inoue
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kanto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
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7
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Needham E, Webb G. Hepatic encephalopathy: a neurologist's perspective. Pract Neurol 2024; 24:200-206. [PMID: 38453473 DOI: 10.1136/pn-2023-003802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Liver disease is increasingly common, estimated to affect over 25% of the world's population. Failure of the liver to maintain a normal metabolic milieu leads to impaired brain function (hepatic encephalopathy), and conditions that cause liver disease can themselves predispose to neurological disease. As neurologists' involvement with the acute take increases, it is important that we are familiar with the neurological complications of liver disease, their investigation and management, and to know which other neurological diseases occur in this patient population. In this article, we review the causes, presentation and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, and discuss important differential diagnoses in patients with liver disease who present with neurological disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Needham
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Neurology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gwilym Webb
- Department of Hepatology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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8
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Samanta A, Sen Sarma M. Fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy: A perspective. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:678-683. [PMID: 38818298 PMCID: PMC11135264 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i5.678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to its complex pathogenesis, treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) continues to be a therapeutic challenge. Of late, gut microbiome has garnered much attention for its role in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal and liver diseases and its potential therapeutic use. New evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays a significant role in cerebral homeostasis. Alteration in the gut microbiota has been documented in patients with HE in a number of clinical and experimental studies. Research on gut dysbiosis in patients with HE has opened newer therapeutic avenues in the form of probiotics, prebiotics and the latest fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Recent studies have shown that FMT is safe and could be effective in improving outcomes in advanced liver disease patients presenting with HE. However, questions over the appropriate dose, duration and route of administration for best treatment outcome remains unsettled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arghya Samanta
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Moinak Sen Sarma
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India.
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9
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Chen A, Tait C, Minacapelli C, Rustgi V. Pathophysiology of Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Framework for Clinicians. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:209-224. [PMID: 38548434 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that is observed primarily in patients with liver disease. The pathophysiology is complex and involves many factors including ammonia toxicity, dysregulation of central nervous system activity, and excess inflammatory cytokines. Symptoms of HE range from subclinical to debilitating. HE can be difficult to treat and represents a large burden to patients, their caregivers, and the health-care system because of associated resource utilization. This review article provides an overview of the current understanding of the pathophysiology behind HE and where the current research and treatments are pointing toward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Chen
- Internal Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher Tait
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Carlos Minacapelli
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Center for Liver Diseases and Masses, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Vinod Rustgi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Center for Liver Diseases and Masses, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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10
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de Wit K, van Doorn DJ, Mol B, van Vught LA, Nevens F, Beuers U, Ponsioen CY, Teunissen CE, Takkenberg RB. Neurofilament light chain but not glial fibrillary acidic protein is a potential biomarker of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis. Ann Hepatol 2024; 29:101496. [PMID: 38460714 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2024.101496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent complication of cirrhosis and may cause cerebral damage. Neurodegenerative diseases can induce the release of neuroproteins like neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in body fluids, including blood plasma. We investigated whether NfL and GFAP could serve as potential diagnostic plasma biomarkers for overt HE (oHE). MATERIALS AND METHODS We included 85 patients from three prospective cohorts with different stages of liver disease and HE severity. The following patients were included: 1) 34 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with compensated disease; 2) 17 patients with advanced liver disease without oHE before elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement; 3) 17 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with oHE and 17 ICU patients without cirrhosis or oHE. Plasma NfL and GFAP were measured using single molecule assays. RESULTS ICU oHE patients had higher NfL concentrations compared to pre-TIPS patients or ICU controls (p < 0.05, each). Median GFAP concentrations were equal in the ICU oHE and pre-TIPS patients or ICU controls. Plasma NfL and GFAP concentrations correlated with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores (R = 0.58 and R = 0.40, p < 0.001, each). CONCLUSIONS Plasma NfL deserves further evaluation as potential diagnostic biomarker for oHE and correlates with the MELD score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koos de Wit
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diederick J van Doorn
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bregje Mol
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke A van Vught
- Department of Intensive Care, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Center of Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frederik Nevens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ulrich Beuers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cyriel Y Ponsioen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R Bart Takkenberg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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11
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Arenas YM, López-Gramaje A, Montoliu C, Llansola M, Felipo V. Increased levels and activation of the IL-17 receptor in microglia contribute to enhanced neuroinflammation in cerebellum of hyperammonemic rats. Biol Res 2024; 57:18. [PMID: 38671534 PMCID: PMC11055256 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00504-2] [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: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with liver cirrhosis may show minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) with mild cognitive impairment and motor incoordination. Rats with chronic hyperammonemia reproduce these alterations. Motor incoordination in hyperammonemic rats is due to increased GABAergic neurotransmission in cerebellum, induced by neuroinflammation, which enhances TNFα-TNFR1-S1PR2-CCL2-BDNF-TrkB pathway activation. The initial events by which hyperammonemia triggers activation of this pathway remain unclear. MHE in cirrhotic patients is triggered by a shift in inflammation with increased IL-17. The aims of this work were: (1) assess if hyperammonemia increases IL-17 content and membrane expression of its receptor in cerebellum of hyperammonemic rats; (2) identify the cell types in which IL-17 receptor is expressed and IL-17 increases in hyperammonemia; (3) assess if blocking IL-17 signaling with anti-IL-17 ex-vivo reverses activation of glia and of the TNFα-TNFR1-S1PR2-CCL2-BDNF-TrkB pathway. RESULTS IL-17 levels and membrane expression of the IL-17 receptor are increased in cerebellum of rats with hyperammonemia and MHE, leading to increased activation of IL-17 receptor in microglia, which triggers activation of STAT3 and NF-kB, increasing IL-17 and TNFα levels, respectively. TNFα released from microglia activates TNFR1 in Purkinje neurons, leading to activation of NF-kB and increased IL-17 and TNFα also in these cells. Enhanced TNFR1 activation also enhances activation of the TNFR1-S1PR2-CCL2-BDNF-TrkB pathway which mediates microglia and astrocytes activation. CONCLUSIONS All these steps are triggered by enhanced activation of IL-17 receptor in microglia and are prevented by ex-vivo treatment with anti-IL-17. IL-17 and IL-17 receptor in microglia would be therapeutic targets to treat neurological impairment in patients with MHE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaiza M Arenas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Eduardo Primo-Yufera 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- INCLIVA Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Valencia, Spain
| | - Adrià López-Gramaje
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- INCLIVA Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmina Montoliu
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- INCLIVA Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Eduardo Primo-Yufera 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Eduardo Primo-Yufera 3, 46012, Valencia, Spain.
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12
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Moedas MF, Simões RJM, Silva MFB. Mitochondrial targets in hyperammonemia: Addressing urea cycle function to improve drug therapies. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116034. [PMID: 38307136 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The urea cycle (UC) is a critically important metabolic process for the disposal of nitrogen (ammonia) produced by amino acids catabolism. The impairment of this liver-specific pathway induced either by primary genetic defects or by secondary causes, namely those associated with hepatic disease or drug administration, may result in serious clinical consequences. Urea cycle disorders (UCD) and certain organic acidurias are the major groups of inherited rare diseases manifested with hyperammonemia (HA) with UC dysregulation. Importantly, several commonly prescribed drugs, including antiepileptics in monotherapy or polytherapy from carbamazepine to valproic acid or specific antineoplastic agents such as asparaginase or 5-fluorouracil may be associated with HA by mechanisms not fully elucidated. HA, disclosing an imbalance between ammoniagenesis and ammonia disposal via the UC, can evolve to encephalopathy which may lead to significant morbidity and central nervous system damage. This review will focus on biochemical mechanisms related with HA emphasizing some poorly understood perspectives behind the disruption of the UC and mitochondrial energy metabolism, namely: i) changes in acetyl-CoA or NAD+ levels in subcellular compartments; ii) post-translational modifications of key UC-related enzymes, namely acetylation, potentially affecting their catalytic activity; iii) the mitochondrial sirtuins-mediated role in ureagenesis. Moreover, the main UCD associated with HA will be summarized to highlight the relevance of investigating possible genetic mutations to account for unexpected HA during certain pharmacological therapies. The ammonia-induced effects should be avoided or overcome as part of safer therapeutic strategies to protect patients under treatment with drugs that may be potentially associated with HA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco F Moedas
- Research Institute for Medicines-iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ricardo J M Simões
- Research Institute for Medicines-iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida F B Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines-iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Tuo S, Wen Z, Ran Q, Dai S, Wang J, Tantai X. Reply - Letter to the editor "The egg and the chicken: Does sarcopenia or cognitive impairment come first?". Clin Nutr 2024; 43:1083-1084. [PMID: 38302380 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Tuo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Clinical Research Center for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhang Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Clinical Research Center for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiuju Ran
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Clinical Research Center for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shejiao Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Clinical Research Center for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinhai Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Clinical Research Center for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xinxing Tantai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Clinical Research Center for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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Nie MT, Wang PQ, Shi PM, Hong XL, Zhang X, Xiang B, Zhang M, Xie WF. Rifaximin treatment shapes a unique metagenome-metabolism network in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 39:762-771. [PMID: 38233085 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16484] [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] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with decompensated cirrhosis face poor prognosis and increased mortality risk. Rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic, has been shown to have beneficial effects in preventing complications and improving survival in these patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of rifaximin's effects remain unclear. METHODS We obtained fecal samples from decompensated cirrhotic patients undergoing rifaximin treatment and controls, both at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Shotgun metagenome sequencing profiled the gut microbiome, and untargeted metabolomics analyzed fecal metabolites. Linear discriminant and partial least squares discrimination analyses were used to identify differing species and metabolites between rifaximin-treated patients and controls. RESULTS Forty-two patients were enrolled and divided into two groups (26 patients in the rifaximin group and 16 patients in the control group). The gut microbiome's beta diversity changed in the rifaximin group but remained unaffected in the control group. We observed 44 species with reduced abundance in the rifaximin group, including Streptococcus_salivarius, Streptococcus_vestibularis, Haemophilus_parainfluenzae, etc. compared to only four in the control group. Additionally, six species were enriched in the rifaximin group, including Eubacterium_sp._CAG:248, Prevotella_sp._CAG:604, etc., and 14 in the control group. Furthermore, rifaximin modulated different microbial functions compared to the control. Seventeen microbiome-related metabolites were altered due to rifaximin, while six were altered in the control group. CONCLUSION Our study revealed distinct microbiome-metabolite networks regulated by rifaximin intervention in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. These findings suggest that targeting these specific metabolites or related bacteria might be a potential therapeutic strategy for decompensated cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Tong Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Qin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Mei Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia-Lu Hong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Baoyu Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Menghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Fen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Mosso J, Briand G, Pierzchala K, Simicic D, Sierra A, Abdollahzadeh A, Jelescu IO, Cudalbu C. Diffusion of brain metabolites highlights altered brain microstructure in type C hepatic encephalopathy: a 9.4 T preliminary study. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1344076. [PMID: 38572151 PMCID: PMC10987698 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1344076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Type C hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a decompensating event of chronic liver disease leading to severe motor and cognitive impairment. The progression of type C HE is associated with changes in brain metabolite concentrations measured by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), most noticeably a strong increase in glutamine to detoxify brain ammonia. In addition, alterations of brain cellular architecture have been measured ex vivo by histology in a rat model of type C HE. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of diffusion-weighted MRS (dMRS) for probing these cellular shape alterations in vivo by monitoring the diffusion properties of the major brain metabolites. Methods The bile duct-ligated (BDL) rat model of type C HE was used. Five animals were scanned before surgery and 6- to 7-week post-BDL surgery, with each animal being used as its own control. 1H-MRS was performed in the hippocampus (SPECIAL, TE = 2.8 ms) and dMRS in a voxel encompassing the entire brain (DW-STEAM, TE = 15 ms, diffusion time = 120 ms, maximum b-value = 25 ms/μm2) on a 9.4 T scanner. The in vivo MRS acquisitions were further validated with histological measures (immunohistochemistry, Golgi-Cox, electron microscopy). Results The characteristic 1H-MRS pattern of type C HE, i.e., a gradual increase of brain glutamine and a decrease of the main organic osmolytes, was observed in the hippocampus of BDL rats. Overall increased metabolite diffusivities (apparent diffusion coefficient and intra-stick diffusivity-Callaghan's model, significant for glutamine, myo-inositol, and taurine) and decreased kurtosis coefficients were observed in BDL rats compared to control, highlighting the presence of osmotic stress and possibly of astrocytic and neuronal alterations. These results were consistent with the microstructure depicted by histology and represented by a decline in dendritic spines density in neurons, a shortening and decreased number of astrocytic processes, and extracellular edema. Discussion dMRS enables non-invasive and longitudinal monitoring of the diffusion behavior of brain metabolites, reflecting in the present study the globally altered brain microstructure in BDL rats, as confirmed ex vivo by histology. These findings give new insights into metabolic and microstructural abnormalities associated with high brain glutamine and its consequences in type C HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Mosso
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Animal Imaging and Technology, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Briand
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Animal Imaging and Technology, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Katarzyna Pierzchala
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Animal Imaging and Technology, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dunja Simicic
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Animal Imaging and Technology, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alejandra Sierra
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ali Abdollahzadeh
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ileana O. Jelescu
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Cudalbu
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Animal Imaging and Technology, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Llansola M, Arenas YM, Sancho-Alonso M, Mincheva G, Palomares-Rodriguez A, Doverskog M, Izquierdo-Altarejos P, Felipo V. Neuroinflammation alters GABAergic neurotransmission in hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy, leading to motor incoordination. Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1358323. [PMID: 38560359 PMCID: PMC10978603 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1358323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhanced GABAergic neurotransmission contributes to impairment of motor coordination and gait and of cognitive function in different pathologies, including hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy. Neuroinflammation is a main contributor to enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission through increased activation of different pathways. For example, enhanced activation of the TNFα-TNFR1-NF-κB-glutaminase-GAT3 pathway and the TNFα-TNFR1-S1PR2-CCL2-BDNF-TrkB pathway in cerebellum of hyperammonemic rats enhances GABAergic neurotransmission. This is mediated by mechanisms affecting GABA synthesizing enzymes GAD67 and GAD65, total and extracellular GABA levels, membrane expression of GABAA receptor subunits, of GABA transporters GAT1 and GAT three and of chloride co-transporters. Reducing neuroinflammation reverses these changes, normalizes GABAergic neurotransmission and restores motor coordination. There is an interplay between GABAergic neurotransmission and neuroinflammation, which modulate each other and altogether modulate motor coordination and cognitive function. In this way, neuroinflammation may be also reduced by reducing GABAergic neurotransmission, which may also improve cognitive and motor function in pathologies associated to neuroinflammation and enhanced GABAergic neurotransmission such as hyperammonemia, hepatic encephalopathy or Parkinson's disease. This provides therapeutic targets that may be modulated to improve cognitive and motor function and other alterations such as fatigue in a wide range of pathologies. As a proof of concept it has been shown that antagonists of GABAA receptors such as bicuculline reduces neuroinflammation and improves cognitive and motor function impairment in rat models of hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy. Antagonists of GABAA receptors are not ideal therapeutic tools because they can induce secondary effects. As a more effective treatment to reduce GABAergic neurotransmission new compounds modulating it by other mechanisms are being developed. Golexanolone reduces GABAergic neurotransmission by reducing the potentiation of GABAA receptor activation by neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone. Golexanolone reduces neuroinflammation and GABAergic neurotransmission in animal models of hyperammonemia, hepatic encephalopathy and cholestasis and this is associated with improvement of fatigue, cognitive impairment and motor incoordination. This type of compounds may be useful therapeutic tools to improve cognitive and motor function in different pathologies associated with neuroinflammation and increased GABAergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yaiza M. Arenas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Sancho-Alonso
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gergana Mincheva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Fang G, Liu S, Liu B. Preventive and therapeutic effects of rifaximin on hepatic encephalopathy with differential application dosages and strategies: a network meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:94. [PMID: 38439005 PMCID: PMC10910798 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03184-0] [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] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that affects the prognosis of patients with liver disease and is considered an independent risk factor for hospitalization and death. Rifaximin has been approved for HE treatment. This review will analyze the effect of rifaximin on different stages of HE with differential application dosages and strategies by traditional and network meta-analyses. METHODS We performed a systematic search of PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Library databases up to February 26, 2023, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about rifaximin for the prevention and treatment of HE. The outcomes included incidence of HE and HE progression, HE reversal, mortality, and adverse effects. RESULTS A total of 21 studies were included. In the primary prevention of HE, rifaximin significantly reduced the incidence of HE (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.96; p = 0.032). In secondary prevention, rifaximin significantly reduced the risk of recurrence in patients who were in remission (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.52; p < 0.001). In the treatment of minimal HE, rifaximin significantly reduced the breakthrough of MHE to OHE (OR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04,0.63; p = 0.008). Rifaximin also significantly improved the clinical symptoms of MHE and OHE patients (OR: 3.76; 95% CI: 2.69, 5.25; p < 0.001). However, rifaximin did not reduce mortality at any stage in HE patients (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.58, 1.08; p = 0.133). Additionally, rifaximin did not increase the risk of adverse effects (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.24; p = 0.749). In the network meta-analysis, the 400 mg T.I.D. intervention had a relative advantage for HE risks in primary and secondary prevention. In the treatment of MHE, 600 mg b.i.d. was superior in preventing the breakthrough from MHE to OHE. CONCLUSION Rifaximin prevented HE risks and progression and improved clinical symptoms in patients with MHE but did not reduce mortality. For primary and secondary prevention, 400 mg t.i.d. could be considered. 600 mg b.i.d. could be considered in patients with MHE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Fang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, No.57 Renmin Avenue South, 524000, Xiashan, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuna Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, No.57 Renmin Avenue South, 524000, Xiashan, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, 524000, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
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Pierzchala K, Hadjihambi A, Mosso J, Jalan R, Rose CF, Cudalbu C. Lessons on brain edema in HE: from cellular to animal models and clinical studies. Metab Brain Dis 2024; 39:403-437. [PMID: 37606786 PMCID: PMC10957693 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01269-5] [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] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Brain edema is considered as a common feature associated with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However, its central role as cause or consequence of HE and its implication in the development of the neurological alterations linked to HE are still under debate. It is now well accepted that type A and type C HE are biologically and clinically different, leading to different manifestations of brain edema. As a result, the findings on brain edema/swelling in type C HE are variable and sometimes controversial. In the light of the changing natural history of liver disease, better description of the clinical trajectory of cirrhosis and understanding of molecular mechanisms of HE, and the role of brain edema as a central component in the pathogenesis of HE is revisited in the current review. Furthermore, this review highlights the main techniques to measure brain edema and their advantages/disadvantages together with an in-depth description of the main ex-vivo/in-vivo findings using cell cultures, animal models and humans with HE. These findings are instrumental in elucidating the role of brain edema in HE and also in designing new multimodal studies by performing in-vivo combined with ex-vivo experiments for a better characterization of brain edema longitudinally and of its role in HE, especially in type C HE where water content changes are small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pierzchala
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Animal Imaging and Technology, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Anna Hadjihambi
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology London, Foundation for Liver Research, London, SE5 9NT, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jessie Mosso
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Animal Imaging and Technology, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Laboratory for Functional and Metabolic Imaging (LIFMET), EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, UK
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christopher F Rose
- Hépato-Neuro Laboratory, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l', Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Montreal, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Cristina Cudalbu
- CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Animal Imaging and Technology, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Huang CH, Amodio P. Can rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy be discontinued during broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment? World J Hepatol 2024; 16:115-119. [PMID: 38495281 PMCID: PMC10941747 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i2.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a formidable complication in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, often necessitating the administration of rifaximin (RFX) for effective management. RFX, is a gut-restricted, poorly-absorbable oral rifamycin derived antibiotic that can be used in addition to lactulose for the secondary prophylaxis of HE. It has shown notable reductions in infection, hospital readmission, duration of hospital stay, and mortality. However, limited data exist about the concurrent use of RFX with broad-spectrum antibiotics, because the patients are typically excluded from studies assessing RFX efficacy in HE. A pharmacist-driven quasi-experimental pilot study was done to address this gap. They argue against the necessity of RFX in HE during broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, particularly in critically ill patients in intensive care unit (ICU). The potential for safe RFX discontinuation without adverse effects is clearly illuminated and valuable insight into the optimization of therapeutic strategies is offered. The findings also indicate that RFX discontinuation during broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was not associated with higher rates of delirium or coma, and this result remained robust after adjustment in multivariate analysis. Furthermore, rates of other secondary clinical and safety outcomes, including ICU mortality and 48-hour changes in vasopressor requirements, were comparable. However, since the activity of RFX is mainly confined to the modulation of gut microbiota, its potential utility in patients undergoing extensive systemic antibiotic therapy is debatable, given the overlapping antibiotic activity. Further, this suggests that the action of RFX on HE is class-specific (related to its activity on gut microbiota), rather than drug-specific. A recent double-blind randomized controlled (ARiE) trial provided further evidence-based support for RFX withdrawal in critically ill cirrhotic ICU patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics. Both studies prompt further discussion about optimal therapeutic strategy for patients facing the dual challenge of HE and systemic infections. Despite these compelling results, both studies have limitations. A prospective, multi-center evaluation of a larger sample, with placebo control, and comprehensive neurologic evaluation of HE is warranted. It should include an exploration of longer-term outcome and the impact of this protocol in non-critically ill liver disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hao Huang
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Piero Amodio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padua, Padova 35122, Italy.
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Fan Q, Wu G, Chen M, Luo G, Wu Z, Huo H, Li H, Zheng L, Luo M. Cediranib ameliorates portal hypertensive syndrome via inhibition of VEGFR-2 signaling in cirrhotic rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 964:176278. [PMID: 38158116 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PHT) is a syndrome caused by systemic and portal hemodynamic disturbances with the progression of cirrhosis. However, the exact mechanisms regulating angiogenesis-related responses in PHT remain unclear. Cediranib is a potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinases, exhibiting a greater affinity for VEGFR-2. Liver cirrhosis was induced by common bile duct ligation (BDL) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Sham-operated rats were controls. BDL and sham rats were randomly allocated to receive Cediranib or vehicle after BDL. On the 28th day, portal hypertension related parameters were surveyed. Cediranib treatment could significantly reduce the portal pressure (PP) in BDL rats, while it did not affect the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in sham groups and BDL groups. Cediranib treatment could significantly affect the stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) flow and SMA resistance in BDL groups and BDL with Cediranib groups. Cediranib treatment could improve the mesenteric vascular remodeling and contractility. Cediranib treatment significantly reduced mesenteric vascular density. And phospho-VEGFR-2 was significantly downregulated by Cediranib. On the other hand, phospho-endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthases (phospho-eNOS) expressions were upregulated. Cediranib not only improved splanchnic hemodynamics, extrahepatic vascular remodeling and vasodilation, but also alleviated intrahepatic fibrosis and collagen deposition significantly. Cediranib treatment could reduce intrahepatic angiogenesis between BDL-vehicle and BDL-Cediranib rats. In conclusion, Cediranib could improve extrahepatic hyperdynamic circulation by inhibiting extrahepatic angiogenesis through inhibition of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway, portal collateral circulation formation, as well as eNOS-mediated vasodilatation and vascular remodeling, and at the same time, Cediranib improved intrahepatic fibrogenesis and angiogenesis, which together alleviate cirrhotic PHT syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangbo Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guqing Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghao Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haizhong Huo
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongjie Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Meng Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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21
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Sonderup MW, Kamath PS, Awuku YA, Desalegn H, Gogela N, Katsidzira L, Tzeuton C, Bobat B, Kassianides C, Spearman CW. Managing cirrhosis with limited resources: perspectives from sub-Saharan Africa. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 9:170-184. [PMID: 38215781 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00279-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Cirrhosis represents the end stage of chronic liver disease. Sub-Saharan Africa, a resource-constrained region, has a high burden of chronic liver disease, with causes including chronic viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol use, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the risk of which is burgeoning. The development of liver cirrhosis predicts for morbidity and mortality, driven by both liver dysfunction and the consequences of portal hypertension. Compensated cirrhosis portends a better prognosis than decompensated cirrhosis, highlighting the need for the early diagnosis of cirrhosis and its causes. With resource challenges, the diagnosis and management of cirrhosis is demanding, but less costly and less invasive interventions with substantial benefits, ranging from simple blood tests to transient elastography, are feasible in such settings. Simple interventions are also available to manage the complex manifestations of decompensation, such as β blockers in variceal bleeding prophylaxis, salt restriction and appropriate diuretic use in ascites, and lactulose and generic rifaximin in hepatic encephalopathy. Ultimately, managing the underlying causative factors of liver disease is key in improving prognosis. Management demands expanded policy interventions to increase screening and treatment for hepatitis B and C and reduce alcohol use and the metabolic factors driving MASLD. Furthermore, the skills needed for more specialised interventions, such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures and even liver transplantation, warrant planning, increased capacity, and support for regional centres of excellence. Such centres are already being developed in sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating what can be achieved with dedicated initiatives and individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Sonderup
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | | | - Yaw A Awuku
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Hailemichael Desalegn
- Department of Internal Medicine, St Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Neliswa Gogela
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Leolin Katsidzira
- Internal Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Christian Tzeuton
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Douala, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Bilal Bobat
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand and Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Chris Kassianides
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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22
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Lin L, Huang ZY, Liu K, Tong XC, Zhang ZX, Xue Y. The Free Triiodothyronine, Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Index: A Novel Model for Predicting 1-Year Mortality in Patients with HBV-Related Hepatic Encephalopathy. Hepat Med 2024; 16:1-9. [PMID: 38283915 PMCID: PMC10819082 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s450638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is characterized by neuropsychiatric manifestations in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and/or liver failure. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of thyroid hormone in patients with HE. Methods Patients with DC and HE were enrolled, and multivariate logistic analysis was conducted to analyze the risk factors for 1-year mortality. Results Among the 81 patients with HBV-related DC and HE, 9 (11.1%) died within 3 months, and 15 (18.5%) died within the first year. More patients with FT3 < 3.5pmol/L had ascites (33.3% vs 8.9%, P<0.01) and higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) (Z=3.669, P<0.01). Additionally, free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were lower in the non-survivor group (P<0.01). FT3 exhibited a negative correlation with international normalized ratio and MELD (both P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that FT3, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) were independent risk factors for 1-year mortality of HE. A new model incorporating FT3, GTT, and SBP demonstrated superiority to MELD based on the AUROC (0.9 and 0.752, P=0.04). Conclusion Low FT3, but not thyroid-stimulating hormone and free tetraiodothyronine, was identified as an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality in patients with DC and HE. The newly proposed prognostic model, which includes FT3, GTT, and SBP, holds significant predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- Institute of Hepatology, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ze-yu Huang
- Institute of Hepatology, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Liu
- Institute of Hepatology, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xue-cheng Tong
- Institute of Hepatology, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-xin Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Institute of Hepatology, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Angerville B, Jurdana MA, Martinetti MP, Sarba R, Nguyen-Khac É, Naassila M, Dervaux A. Alcohol-related cognitive impairments in patients with and without cirrhosis. Alcohol Alcohol 2024; 59:agae008. [PMID: 38366913 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS up to 80% of patients with alcohol use disorder display cognitive impairments. Some studies have suggested that alcohol-related cognitive impairments could be worsened by hepatic damage. The primary objective of this study was to compare mean scores on the Brief Evaluation of Alcohol-Related Neurocognitive Impairments measure between alcohol use disorder patients with (CIR+) or without cirrhosis (CIR-). METHODS we conducted a prospective case-control study in a hepatology department of a university hospital. All patients were assessed using the Evaluation of Alcohol-Related Neuropsychological Impairments test. RESULTS a total of 82 patients (50 CIR+, 32 CIR-) were included in this study. CIR- patients were significantly younger than CIR+ patients (respectively, 45.5 ± 6.8 vs 60.1 ± 9.0; P < .0001). After adjusting for age and educational level, the mean Evaluation of Alcohol-Related Neuropsychological Impairments total scores in the CIR+ group were significantly lower than in the group of CIR- patients (14.1 ± 0.7 vs 7.8 ± 0.4, respectively, P < .0001). The mean subscores on delayed verbal memory, alphabetical ordination, alternating verbal fluency, visuospatial abilities, and ataxia subtests were also significantly lower in the CIR+ than in the CIR- group (respectively, 1.9 ± 0.2 vs 2.8 ± 0.2; 1.8 ± 0.2 vs 2.7 ± 0.2; 2.2 ± 0.2 vs 3.6 ± 0.2; 0.7 ± 0.2 vs 1.6 ± 0.2; 0.7 ± 0.2 vs 3.1 ± 0.2; P < .0001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS in the present study, alcohol use disorder patients with cirrhosis presented more severe cognitive impairments than those without cirrhosis. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate how cirrhosis can influence cognitive impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Angerville
- Filière universitaire d'addictologie, EPS Barthélémy Durand, Étampes, 91150, France
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, INSERM UMR 1247, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Alcool & les Pharmacodépendances, Amiens, 80000, France
| | - Marie-Alix Jurdana
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, INSERM UMR 1247, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Alcool & les Pharmacodépendances, Amiens, 80000, France
| | | | - Ruxandra Sarba
- Département d'Hépato-Gastroenterologie, CHU d'Amiens, Amiens, 80000, France
| | - Éric Nguyen-Khac
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, INSERM UMR 1247, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Alcool & les Pharmacodépendances, Amiens, 80000, France
- Département d'Hépato-Gastroenterologie, CHU d'Amiens, Amiens, 80000, France
| | - Mickael Naassila
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, INSERM UMR 1247, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Alcool & les Pharmacodépendances, Amiens, 80000, France
| | - Alain Dervaux
- Filière universitaire d'addictologie, EPS Barthélémy Durand, Étampes, 91150, France
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Centre Universitaire de Recherche en Santé, INSERM UMR 1247, Groupe de Recherche sur l'Alcool & les Pharmacodépendances, Amiens, 80000, France
- Laboratoire de recherche PSYCHOMADD, Université paris Saclay, Villejuif, 94800, France
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Izquierdo-Altarejos P, Moreno-Manzano V, Felipo V. Pathological and therapeutic effects of extracellular vesicles in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:55-61. [PMID: 37488844 PMCID: PMC10479838 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.375301] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are released by all cell types and contain proteins, microRNAs, mRNAs, and other bioactive molecules. Extracellular vesicles play an important role in intercellular communication and in the modulation of the immune system and neuroinflammation. The cargo of extracellular vesicles (e.g., proteins and microRNAs) is altered in pathological situations. Extracellular vesicles contribute to the pathogenesis of many pathologies associated with sustained inflammation and neuroinflammation, including cancer, diabetes, hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy, and other neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Extracellular vesicles may cross the blood-brain barrier and transfer pathological signals from the periphery to the brain. This contributes to inducing neuroinflammation and cognitive and motor impairment in hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy and in neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanisms involved are beginning to be understood. For example, increased tumor necrosis factor α in extracellular vesicles from plasma of hyperammonemic rats induces neuroinflammation and motor impairment when injected into normal rats. Identifying the mechanisms by which extracellular vesicles contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases will help to develop new treatments and diagnostic tools for their easy and early detection. In contrast, extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells have therapeutic utility in many of the above pathologies, by reducing inflammation and neuroinflammation and improving cognitive and motor function. These extracellular vesicles recapitulate the beneficial effects of mesenchymal stem cells and have advantages as therapeutic tools: they are less immunogenic, may not differentiate to malignant cells, cross the blood-brain barrier, and may reach more easily target organs. Extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells have beneficial effects in models of ischemic brain injury, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, hyperammonemia, and hepatic encephalopathy. Extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells modulate the immune system, promoting the shift from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state. For example, extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells modulate the Th17/Treg balance, promoting the anti-inflammatory Treg. Extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells may also act directly in the brain to modulate microglia activation, promoting a shift from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state. This reduces neuroinflammation and improves cognitive and motor function. Two main components of extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells which contribute to these beneficial effects are transforming growth factor-β and miR-124. Identifying the mechanisms by which extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells induce the beneficial effects and the main molecules (e.g., proteins and mRNAs) involved may help to improve their therapeutic utility. The aims of this review are to summarize the knowledge of the pathological effects of extracellular vesicles in different pathologies, the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells to recover cognitive and motor function and the molecular mechanisms for these beneficial effects on neurological function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victoria Moreno-Manzano
- Neuronal and Tissue Regeneration Laboratory, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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25
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Lauridsen MM, Bajaj JS. Inpatient management of hepatic encephalopathy. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2024; 23:e0105. [PMID: 38312993 PMCID: PMC10833628 DOI: 10.1097/cld.0000000000000105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mette M. Lauridsen
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Institute for Regional Health Research, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Jasmohan S. Bajaj
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Vélez JL, Pérez A, Blanco JD, Berrouet MC, Valencia L, Soto S, Ramírez AS, Martínez V, Gallego JL, Jaillier J. Characterization of patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis who received care in different highly complex emergency services of Medellín, Colombia. BIOMEDICA : REVISTA DEL INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SALUD 2023; 43:9-20. [PMID: 38207155 PMCID: PMC10901446 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.6963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cirrhosis is one of the ten leading causes of death in the Western hemisphere and entails a significant cost of health care. OBJECTIVE To describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of patients older than 18 years who received care for acute decompensation of cirrhosis in the emergency services of three highly complex centers in Medellín, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was an observational retrospective cohort study from clinical records. The results were analyzed by frequency measures and represented in tables and graphics. RESULTS In total, 576 clinical records met the inclusion criteria; 287 were included for analysis, and 58.9% were men, with an average age of 64 (± 13.5) years. The most frequent causes of cirrhosis were alcohol intake (47.7%), cryptogenic or unspecified etiology (29.6%), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (9.1%). The main reasons for visiting the emergency department were the presence of edema and/or ascites (34.1%), suspicion of gastrointestinal bleeding (26.5%), abdominal pain (14.3%) and altered mental status (13.9%). The most frequent clinical manifestations of an acute decompensation of cirrhosis were ascites (45.6%), variceal hemorrhage (25.4%), hepatic encephalopathy (23.0%), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (5.2%). During their treatment, 56.1% of the patients received intravenous antibiotics; 24.0%, human albumin; 24.0%, vasoactive support, and 27.5%, blood products; 21.3% required management in an intensive or intermediate care unit, registering 53 deceased patients for a mortality of 18.5%. CONCLUSION Patients who consult the emergency services due to acute decompensation of cirrhosis demand a high amount of health resources, frequently present associated complications, and a high percentage requires management in critical care units and shows a high in-hospital mortality rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Pérez
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
| | | | - Marie Claire Berrouet
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia; Servicio de Toxicología Clínica, Hospital General de Medellín "Luz Castro de Gutiérrez,Medellín, Colombia.
| | | | - Sofía Soto
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
| | | | - Víctor Martínez
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia; Fundación Universitaria San Martín, Facultad de Medicina, Sabaneta, Colombia.
| | | | - Julia Jaillier
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
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Bellafante D, Gioia S, Faccioli J, Riggio O, Ridola L, Nardelli S. The Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy from Ward to Domiciliary Care: Current Evidence and Gray Areas. J Clin Med 2023; 13:166. [PMID: 38202173 PMCID: PMC10780160 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010166] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of advanced liver disease and acute liver failure. It is a condition that features several neuropsychiatric symptoms that affect mortality, morbidity and the quality of patients' and caregivers' lives. An HE diagnosis is generally an exclusion diagnosis. Once the patient is admitted to the hospital, clinical examination, blood tests and eventually neuroimaging should be performed with the aim of ruling out other causes of acute brain dysfunction. Moreover, HE is recognized using various precipitants that can potentially promote its onset, alone or in combination, and must be identified. Once the diagnostic process is complete, a correct treatment should be started. The anti-HE treatment is based on a combination of the correction of precipitants; non-absorbable antibiotics, such as rifaximin; and non-absorbable disaccharides. Once the patient is discharged from the hospital, specific anti-HE therapy should be maintained in order to prevent other HE episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Silvia Nardelli
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.B.)
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Ilie OD, Duta R, Nita IB, Dobrin I, Gurzu IL, Girleanu I, Huiban L, Muzica C, Ciobica A, Popescu R, Cianga P, Stanciu C, Cimpoesu D, Trifan A. A Comprehensive Overview of the Past, Current, and Future Randomized Controlled Trials in Hepatic Encephalopathy. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:2143. [PMID: 38138246 PMCID: PMC10744451 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) caused by cirrhosis has severe consequences on an individual's lifespan, leading to long-term liver complications and potentially life-threatening outcomes. Despite recent interest in this condition, the effectiveness of secondary prophylaxis involving rixafimin, lactulose, or L-ornithine L-aspartate (LOLA) may be hindered by the unique microbial profiles each patient possesses. Methods: Thus, in this manuscript, we aimed to search, identify, and gather all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2000-2023 (November) in four major academic databases such as PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect by using a controlled terminology and web strings that reunite six main keywords. We complementarily retrieved data on the ongoing RCTs. Results: Regardless of the relatively high number of results displayed (n = 75), 46.66% (n = 35) were initially deemed eligible after the first evaluation phase after removing duplicates, n = 40 (53.34%). At the second assessment stage, we eliminated 11.42% (n = 4) studies, of which n = 22 finally met the eligibility criteria to be included in the main body of the manuscript. In terms of RCTs, otherwise found in distinct stages of development, n = 3 target FMT and n = 1 probiotics. Conclusions: Although we benefit from the necessary information and technology to design novel strategies for microbiota, only probiotics and synbiotics have been extensively studied in the last decade compared to FMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovidiu-Dumitru Ilie
- Gastroenterology Group, CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Raluca Duta
- Gastroenterology Group, CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ilinca-Bianca Nita
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Dobrin
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, Bucium Street No. 36, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina-Luciana Gurzu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Girleanu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Independence Avenue No. 1, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Laura Huiban
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Independence Avenue No. 1, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Muzica
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Independence Avenue No. 1, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Carol I Avenue No. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Carol I Avenue No. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Splaiul Independentei No. 54, Sector 5, 050094 Bucharest, Romania
- Preclinical Department, “Apollonia” University, Păcurari Street No. 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
| | - Roxana Popescu
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Medical Genetics, “Saint Mary” Emergency Children’s Hospital, Vasile Lupu Street No. 62, 700309 Iasi, Romania
| | - Petru Cianga
- Department of Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Carol Stanciu
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Carol I Avenue No. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Diana Cimpoesu
- Gastroenterology Group, CENEMED Platform for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Emergency Medicine, “St. Spiridon” County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Independence Avenue No. 1, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Anca Trifan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “St. Spiridon” County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Independence Avenue No. 1, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Carol I Avenue No. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania
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Nady R, Ahmed RR, Moustafa N, Abdul-Hamid M. TNF-α blockage by etanercept restores spatial learning and reduces cellular degeneration in the hippocampus during liver cirrhosis. Tissue Cell 2023; 85:102249. [PMID: 37865039 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the most debilitating cerebral complications of liver cirrhosis. The one-year survival of patients with liver cirrhosis and severe encephalopathy is less than 50%. Recent studies have indicated that neuroinflammation is a new player in the pathogenesis of HE, which seems to be involved in the development of cognitive impairment. In this study, we demonstrated neurobehavioral and neuropathological consequences of liver cirrhosis and tested the therapeutic potential of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor, etanercept. Sixty male adult Wistar albino rats (120-190 g) were allocated into four groups, where groups I and IV served as controls. Thioacetamide (TAA; 300 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected twice a week for five months to induce liver cirrhosis in group II (n = 20). Both TAA and etanercept (2 mg/kg) were administered to group III (n = 20). At the end of the experiment, spatial learning was assessed using Morris water maze. TNF-α was detected in both serum and hippocampus. The excised brains were also immunohistochemically stained with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) to estimate both the number and integrity of hippocampal astrocytes. Ultrastructural changes in the hippocampus were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that blocking TNF-α by etanercept was accompanied by a lower TNF-α expression and a higher number of GFAP-positive astrocytes in the hippocampus. Etanercept intervention alleviated the neuronal and glial degenerative changes and impeded the deterioration of spatial learning ability. In conclusion, TNF-α is strongly involved in the development of liver cirrhosis and the associated encephalopathy. TNF-α blockers may be a promising approach for management of hepatic cirrhosis and its cerebral complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehab Nady
- Cell Biology, Histology and Genetics Division, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Rasha R Ahmed
- Cell Biology, Histology and Genetics Division, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Nadia Moustafa
- Cell Biology, Histology and Genetics Division, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Manal Abdul-Hamid
- Cell Biology, Histology and Genetics Division, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62511, Egypt.
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Sparacino L, Faes L, Mijatović G, Parla G, Lo Re V, Miraglia R, de Ville de Goyet J, Sparacia G. Statistical Approaches to Identify Pairwise and High-Order Brain Functional Connectivity Signatures on a Single-Subject Basis. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2075. [PMID: 37895456 PMCID: PMC10608185 DOI: 10.3390/life13102075] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Keeping up with the shift towards personalized neuroscience essentially requires the derivation of meaningful insights from individual brain signal recordings by analyzing the descriptive indexes of physio-pathological states through statistical methods that prioritize subject-specific differences under varying experimental conditions. Within this framework, the current study presents a methodology for assessing the value of the single-subject fingerprints of brain functional connectivity, assessed both by standard pairwise and novel high-order measures. Functional connectivity networks, which investigate the inter-relationships between pairs of brain regions, have long been a valuable tool for modeling the brain as a complex system. However, their usefulness is limited by their inability to detect high-order dependencies beyond pairwise correlations. In this study, by leveraging multivariate information theory, we confirm recent evidence suggesting that the brain contains a plethora of high-order, synergistic subsystems that would go unnoticed using a pairwise graph structure. The significance and variations across different conditions of functional pairwise and high-order interactions (HOIs) between groups of brain signals are statistically verified on an individual level through the utilization of surrogate and bootstrap data analyses. The approach is illustrated on the single-subject recordings of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rest-fMRI) signals acquired using a pediatric patient with hepatic encephalopathy associated with a portosystemic shunt and undergoing liver vascular shunt correction. Our results show that (i) the proposed single-subject analysis may have remarkable clinical relevance for subject-specific investigations and treatment planning, and (ii) the possibility of investigating brain connectivity and its post-treatment functional developments at a high-order level may be essential to fully capture the complexity and modalities of the recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sparacino
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (L.S.); (L.F.)
| | - Luca Faes
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (L.S.); (L.F.)
| | - Gorana Mijatović
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21102 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Giuseppe Parla
- Radiology Service, IRCCS-ISMETT, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.P.); (R.M.)
| | | | - Roberto Miraglia
- Radiology Service, IRCCS-ISMETT, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Jean de Ville de Goyet
- Department for the Treatment and Study of Pediatric Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Gianvincenzo Sparacia
- Radiology Service, IRCCS-ISMETT, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.P.); (R.M.)
- Radiology Service, BiND, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Shi Z, Xi L, Wang Y, Zhao X. Chronic Exposure to Environmental Pollutant Ammonia Causes Damage to the Olfactory System and Behavioral Abnormalities in Mice. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15412-15421. [PMID: 37787400 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) is a major air pollutant. However, few studies have been extended beyond the histopathological changes in the olfactory mucosa to the impact of NH3 exposure on other parts of the olfactory system and olfactory functioning. Therefore, we assessed the effects of exogenous NH3 (either 20 ppm for the low exposure group or 200 ppm for the high exposure group) on the various parts of the olfactory system by histological observation, gene expression, immunochemistry, and chemical analyses. A total of 140 Institute of Cancer Research mice (4 weeks old), 70 females and 70 males (average body weight at the start: 21.5 ± 1.9 g), were used. The exposure lasted for 4 weeks, and the mice were exposed to the NH3 for 4 h per day. Our results showed that chronic exposure to NH3 damaged the olfactory system, with consequences for changing the foraging behavior and anxiety behavior. Our results also suggest that it is plausible that NH3 recruited T cells and activated microglia cells and astrocytes, leading to inflammation in the olfactory system. Increased release of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and interferon-γ) and reduced release of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-beta) led to tissue damage and compromised the functions of the olfactory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifang Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
- School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Lei Xi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
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Leone P, Arenas YM, Balzano T, Mincheva G, Martinez-Garcia M, Montoliu C, Llansola M, Felipo V. Patients who died with steatohepatitis or liver cirrhosis show neuroinflammation and neuronal loss in hippocampus. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3032-3046. [PMID: 37340928 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation in the cerebral cortex of patients who died with liver cirrhosis and neuroinflammation, and neuronal death in the cerebellum of patients who died with steatohepatitis or cirrhosis, were reported. Hippocampal neuroinflammation could contribute to cognitive decline in patients with liver disease, but this has yet to be studied. The study aims were to assess if hippocampus from patients who died with steatohepatitis or cirrhosis showed: (i) glial activation, (ii) altered cytokine content, (iii) immune cell infiltration, (iv) neuronal apoptosis and (v) neuronal loss. METHODS Post-mortem hippocampus was obtained from 6 controls, 19 patients with steatohepatitis (SH) and 4 patients with liver cirrhosis. SH patients were divided into SH1 (n = 9), SH2 (n = 6) and SH3 (n = 4) groups depending on disease severity. Glial activation, IL-1β and TNFα content, CD4 lymphocyte and monocyte infiltration, neuronal apoptosis and neuronal loss were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Patients who died in SH1 showed astrocyte activation, whereas those who died in SH2 also showed microglial activation, CD4 lymphocyte and monocyte infiltration, neuronal apoptosis and neuronal loss. These changes remained in patients in SH3, who also showed increased IL-1β and TNFα. Patients who died of liver cirrhosis did not show CD4 lymphocyte infiltration, neuronal apoptosis or increase in TNFα, but still showed glial activation, increased IL-1β and neuronal loss. CONCLUSIONS Patients with steatohepatitis showed glial activation, immune cell infiltration, apoptosis and neuronal loss. Glial activation and neuronal loss remained in cirrhotic patients. This may explain the irreversibility of some cognitive alterations in hepatic encephalopathy. Cognitive reserve may contribute to different grades of cognitive impairment despite similar neuronal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Leone
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yaiza M Arenas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Tiziano Balzano
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
- Centro Integral de Neurociencias, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Sur CINAC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gergana Mincheva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mar Martinez-Garcia
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmina Montoliu
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Uojima H, Sakaguchi Y, Gotoh K, Satoh T, Hidaka H, Take A, Horio K, Hayashi S, Kusano C. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease on Distinct Microbial Communities at the Bacterial Phylum Level. Dig Dis 2023; 42:61-69. [PMID: 37769624 PMCID: PMC10836752 DOI: 10.1159/000534284] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Limited data are available on the correlation between microbial communities and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aimed to evaluate the influence of MAFLD on diverse microbial communities. METHODS We recruited 43 patients with a nonviral liver disease. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups according to MAFLD criteria. The fecal microbial composition was evaluated using the variable V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA region, which was amplified using polymerase chain reaction. First, we assessed the influence of MAFLD on distinct microbial communities at the bacterial phylum level. Next, the correlation between the microbial communities and diversity in patients with MAFLD was evaluated. RESULTS Among the enrolled participants, the non-MAFLD and MAFLD groups consisted of 21 and 22 patients, respectively. Sequences were distributed among ten bacterial phyla. The relative abundance of Firmicutes was significantly higher in the MAFLD group than in the non-MAFLD group (p = 0.014). The microbial diversity was not significantly influenced by the presence of MAFLD (Chao-1 index: p = 0.215 and Shannon index: p = 0.174, respectively); nonetheless, the correlation coefficient between the abundances of Firmicutes and microbial diversity was higher in the non-MAFLD group than in the MAFLD group. CONCLUSION The presence of MAFLD increased the relative abundances of Firmicutes at the bacterial phylum level, which may cause the discrepancy between the abundances of Firmicutes and diversity in patients with MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Uojima
- Department of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
- Department of Genome Medical Sciences Project, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Sakaguchi
- Department of Microbiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takashi Satoh
- Division of Hematology, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Hisashi Hidaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Akira Take
- Department of Microbiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kazue Horio
- Department of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Shunji Hayashi
- Department of Microbiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Chika Kusano
- Department of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
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Dantas Machado AC, Ramos SF, Gauglitz JM, Fassler AM, Petras D, Aksenov AA, Kim UB, Lazarowicz M, Barnard Giustini A, Aryafar H, Vodkin I, Warren C, Dorrestein PC, Zarrinpar A, Zarrinpar A. Portosystemic shunt placement reveals blood signatures for the development of hepatic encephalopathy through mass spectrometry. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5303. [PMID: 37652904 PMCID: PMC10471626 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40741-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement can worsen cognitive dysfunction in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) patients due to toxins, including possible microbial metabolites, entering the systemic circulation. We conducted untargeted metabolomics on a prospective cohort of 22 patients with cirrhosis undergoing elective TIPS placement and followed them up to one year post TIPS for HE development. Here we suggest that pre-existing intrahepatic shunting predicts HE severity post-TIPS. Bile acid levels decrease in the peripheral vein post-TIPS, and the abundances of three specific conjugated di- and tri-hydroxylated bile acids are inversely correlated with HE grade. Bilirubins and glycerophosphocholines undergo chemical modifications pre- to post-TIPS and based on HE grade. Our results suggest that TIPS-induced metabolome changes can impact HE development, and that pre-existing intrahepatic shunting could be used to predict HE severity post-TIPS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephany Flores Ramos
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Julia M Gauglitz
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Fassler
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Daniel Petras
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- CMFI Cluster of Excellence, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexander A Aksenov
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Un Bi Kim
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael Lazarowicz
- Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Abbey Barnard Giustini
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Puget Sounds Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hamed Aryafar
- San Diego Imaging, San Diego, CA, USA
- Departments of Radiology, University of California San Diego Medical Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Irine Vodkin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Curtis Warren
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Pieter C Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Computational Mass Spectrometry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ali Zarrinpar
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Amir Zarrinpar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Institute of Diabetes and Metabolic Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Zhu Y, Mei Y, Baby N, Teo HY, Binte Hanafi Z, Mohd Salleh SN, Sajikumar S, Liu H. Tumor-mediated microbiota alteration impairs synaptic tagging/capture in the hippocampal CA1 area via IL-1β production. Commun Biol 2023; 6:685. [PMID: 37400621 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05036-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer patients often experience impairments in cognitive function. However, the evidence for tumor-mediated neurological impairment and detailed mechanisms are still lacking. Gut microbiota has been demonstrated to be involved in the immune system homeostasis and brain functions. Here we find that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth alters the gut microbiota and impedes the cognitive functions. The synaptic tagging and capture (STC), an associative cellular mechanism for the formation of associative memory, is impaired in the tumor-bearing mice. STC expression is rescued after microbiota sterilization. Transplantation of microbiota from HCC tumor-bearing mice induces similar STC impairment in wide type mice. Mechanistic study reveals that HCC growth significantly elevates the serum and hippocampus IL-1β levels. IL-1β depletion in the HCC tumor-bearing mice restores the STC. Taken together, these results demonstrate that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in mediating the tumor-induced impairment of the cognitive function via upregulating IL-1β production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology of Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Yu Mei
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology of Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Nimmi Baby
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Huey Yee Teo
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology of Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Zuhairah Binte Hanafi
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology of Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Siti Nazihah Mohd Salleh
- Human Monoclonal Antibody Platform, Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Sreedharan Sajikumar
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
- Life Sciences Institute Neurobiology Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
| | - Haiyan Liu
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology of Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
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Balzano T, Llansola M, Arenas YM, Izquierdo-Altarejos P, Felipo V. Hepatic encephalopathy: investigational drugs in preclinical and early phase development. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:1055-1069. [PMID: 37902074 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2277386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome, in patients with liver disease, which affects life quality and span. Current treatments are lactulose or rifaximin, acting on gut microbiota. Treatments aiming ammonia levels reduction have been tested with little success. AREAS COVERED Pre-clinical research shows that the process inducing HE involves sequentially: liver failure, altered microbiome, hyperammonemia, peripheral inflammation, changes in immunophenotype and extracellular vesicles and neuroinflammation, which alters neurotransmission impairing cognitive and motor function. HE may be reversed using drugs acting at any step: modulating microbiota with probiotics or fecal transplantation; reducing peripheral inflammation with anti-TNFα, autotaxin inhibitors or silymarin; reducing neuroinflammation with sulforaphane, p38 MAP kinase or phosphodiesteras 5 inhibitors, antagonists of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2, enhancing meningeal lymphatic drainage or with extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells; reducing GABAergic neurotransmission with indomethacin or golexanolone. EXPERT OPINION A factor limiting the progress of HE treatment is the lack of translation of research advances into clinical trials. Only drugs acting on microbiota or ammonia reduction have been tested in patients. It is urgent to change the mentality on how to approach HE treatment to develop clinical trials to assess drugs acting on the immune system/peripheral inflammation, neuroinflammation or neurotransmission to improve HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Balzano
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Llansola
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yaiza M Arenas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Wang Q, Chen C, Zuo S, Cao K, Li H. Integrative analysis of the gut microbiota and faecal and serum short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan metabolites in patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. J Transl Med 2023; 21:395. [PMID: 37330571 PMCID: PMC10276405 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04262-9] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the changes in the gut microbiome of patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), as well as quantify the variations in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and tryptophan metabolite levels in serum and faeces. METHODS Fresh faeces and serum were collected from 20 healthy volunteers (NC group), 30 cirrhosis patients (Cir group), and 30 HE patients (HE group). Then, 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolite measurements were performed using the faeces. Gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used to measure SCFA and tryptophan levels, respectively. The results were analysed by SIMCA16.0.2 software. Differences in species were identified using MetaStat and t tests. The correlations among the levels of gut microbes and metabolites and clinical parameters were determined using Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS Patients with cirrhosis and HE had lower microbial species richness and diversity in faeces than healthy volunteers; these patients also had altered β-diversity. Serum valeric acid levels were significantly higher in the HE group than in the Cir group. Serum SCFA levels did not differ between the Cir and NC groups. Serum melatonin and 5-HTOL levels were significantly higher in the HE group than in the Cir group. The Cir and NC groups had significant differences in the levels of eight serum tryptophan metabolites. Furthermore, the levels of faecal SCFAs did not differ between the HE and Cir groups. Faecal IAA-Ala levels were significantly lower in the HE group than in the Cir group. There were significant differences in the levels of 6 faecal SCFAs and 7 faecal tryptophan metabolites between the Cir and NC groups. Certain gut microbes were associated with serum and faecal metabolites, and some metabolites were associated with certain clinical parameters. CONCLUSION Reduced microbial species richness and diversity were observed in patients with HE and cirrhosis. In both serum and faeces, the levels of different SCFAs and tryptophan metabolites showed varying patterns of change. In HE patients, the levels of some serum tryptophan metabolites, and not SCFAs, were correlated with liver function and systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammation in patients with cirrhosis was correlated with faecal acetic acid levels. In summary, this study identified metabolites important for HE and cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengxin Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi Zuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haiyang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China.
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Lv Y, Liu N, Li Y, Wu J, Zheng J, Li X, Zeng M. Coagulation Dysfunction in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Splenomegaly and Its Countermeasures: A Retrospective Study of 1522 Patients. DISEASE MARKERS 2023; 2023:5560560. [PMID: 37325552 PMCID: PMC10266912 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5560560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective Patients with cirrhosis and splenomegaly often have coagulation dysfunction which affects treatment and prognosis. This study explores the status, grading, and treatment strategies of coagulation dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis and splenomegaly. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the clinical data on consecutive patients with cirrhosis and splenomegaly treated at Hainan General Hospital, China, from January 2000 to December 2020. Starting research in January 2022. Results Among 1522 patients included into this study, 297 (19.5%) patients had normal results in all five coagulation tests (prothrombin time, prothrombin activity, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen), and 1225 (80.5%) had coagulation dysfunction in at least one of these tests. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in treatment efficacy on these patients for three of these five coagulation tests, with the exception of prothrombin activity and thrombin time. When coagulation dysfunction was classified into grades I, II, and III based on scores from the three significant coagulation tests, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen, significant differences in surgical outcomes were found among the three grades of coagulation dysfunction and between grades I and III (P < 0.05). The operative mortality rate in patients with grade III in treating liver cancer, portal hypersplenism, and/or splenomegaly was 6.5%. There was no significant difference between patients with grades I and II (P > 0.05). Conclusions Approximately, 80% of patients with liver cirrhosis and splenomegaly had coagulation dysfunction. Surgery is feasible for grade I and II patients. For grade III patients, nonsurgical treatment should be given first, and surgery should only be considered when the coagulation function returns to normal or near-normal levels after treatment. This trial is registered with MR-46-22-009299.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfu Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Medical College Affiliated People's Hospital), Haikou, 570311 Hainan Province, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Medical College Affiliated People's Hospital), Haikou, 570311 Hainan Province, China
| | - Yejuan Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center of Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, 570206 Hainan Province, China
| | - Jincai Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Medical College Affiliated People's Hospital), Haikou, 570311 Hainan Province, China
| | - Jinfang Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Medical College Affiliated People's Hospital), Haikou, 570311 Hainan Province, China
| | - Xinqiu Li
- Department of Surgery, Renhuai People's Hospital, Zunyi, 564500 Guizhou Province, China
| | - Min Zeng
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Medical College Affiliated People's Hospital), Haikou, 570311 Hainan Province, China
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Claeys W, Van Hoecke L, Lernout H, De Nolf C, Van Imschoot G, Van Wonterghem E, Verhaege D, Castelein J, Geerts A, Van Steenkiste C, Vandenbroucke RE. Experimental hepatic encephalopathy causes early but sustained glial transcriptional changes. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:130. [PMID: 37248507 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02814-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis, associated with high morbidity and mortality, for which no brain-targeted therapies exist at present. The interplay between hyperammonemia and inflammation is thought to drive HE development. As such, astrocytes, the most important ammonia-metabolizing cells in the brain, and microglia, the main immunomodulatory cells in the brain, have been heavily implicated in HE development. As insight into cellular perturbations driving brain pathology remains largely elusive, we aimed to investigate cell-type specific transcriptomic changes in the HE brain. In the recently established mouse bile duct ligation (BDL) model of HE, we performed RNA-Seq of sorted astrocytes and microglia at 14 and 28 days after induction. This revealed a marked transcriptional response in both cell types which was most pronounced in microglia. In both cell types, pathways related to inflammation and hypoxia, mechanisms commonly implicated in HE, were enriched. Additionally, astrocytes exhibited increased corticoid receptor and oxidative stress signaling, whereas microglial transcriptome changes were linked to immune cell attraction. Accordingly, both monocytes and neutrophils accumulated in the BDL mouse brain. Time-dependent changes were limited in both cell types, suggesting early establishment of a pathological phenotype. While HE is often considered a unique form of encephalopathy, astrocytic and microglial transcriptomes showed significant overlap with previously established gene expression signatures in other neuroinflammatory diseases like septic encephalopathy and stroke, suggesting common pathophysiological mechanisms. Our dataset identifies key molecular mechanisms involved in preclinical HE and provides a valuable resource for development of novel glial-directed therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Claeys
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lien Van Hoecke
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hannah Lernout
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- IBD Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Clint De Nolf
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Griet Van Imschoot
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elien Van Wonterghem
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daan Verhaege
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonas Castelein
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anja Geerts
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van Steenkiste
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maria Middelares Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roosmarijn E Vandenbroucke
- Barriers in Inflammation, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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Shahbazi A, Sepehrinezhad A, Vahdani E, Jamali R, Ghasempour M, Massoudian S, Sahab Negah S, Larsen FS. Gut Dysbiosis and Blood-Brain Barrier Alteration in Hepatic Encephalopathy: From Gut to Brain. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1272. [PMID: 37238943 PMCID: PMC10215854 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051272] [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: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A common neuropsychiatric complication of advanced liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), impacts the quality of life and length of hospital stays. There is new evidence that gut microbiota plays a significant role in brain development and cerebral homeostasis. Microbiota metabolites are providing a new avenue of therapeutic options for several neurological-related disorders. For instance, the gut microbiota composition and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity are altered in HE in a variety of clinical and experimental studies. Furthermore, probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation have been shown to positively affect BBB integrity in disease models that are potentially extendable to HE by targeting gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms that underlie microbiota dysbiosis and its effects on the BBB are still unclear in HE. To this end, the aim of this review was to summarize the clinical and experimental evidence of gut dysbiosis and BBB disruption in HE and a possible mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Shahbazi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran; (A.S.); (S.M.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran;
| | - Ali Sepehrinezhad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran; (A.S.); (S.M.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran;
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9919191778, Iran
| | - Edris Vahdani
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 4815733971, Iran;
| | - Raika Jamali
- Research Development Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417653761, Iran
- Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417653761, Iran
| | - Monireh Ghasempour
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran;
| | - Shirin Massoudian
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran; (A.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Sajad Sahab Negah
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9919191778, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9919191778, Iran
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran 9815733169, Iran
| | - Fin Stolze Larsen
- Department of Intestinal Failure and Liver Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Inge Lehmanns Vej 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Pabst O, Hornef MW, Schaap FG, Cerovic V, Clavel T, Bruns T. Gut-liver axis: barriers and functional circuits. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023:10.1038/s41575-023-00771-6. [PMID: 37085614 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00771-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The gut and the liver are characterized by mutual interactions between both organs, the microbiome, diet and other environmental factors. The sum of these interactions is conceptualized as the gut-liver axis. In this Review we discuss the gut-liver axis, concentrating on the barriers formed by the enterohepatic tissues to restrict gut-derived microorganisms, microbial stimuli and dietary constituents. In addition, we discuss the establishment of barriers in the gut and liver during development and their cooperative function in the adult host. We detail the interplay between microbial and dietary metabolites, the intestinal epithelium, vascular endothelium, the immune system and the various host soluble factors, and how this interplay establishes a homeostatic balance in the healthy gut and liver. Finally, we highlight how this balance is disrupted in diseases of the gut and liver, outline the existing therapeutics and describe the cutting-edge discoveries that could lead to the development of novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Pabst
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Mathias W Hornef
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank G Schaap
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Surgery, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Vuk Cerovic
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Clavel
- Functional Microbiome Research Group, Institute of Medical Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tony Bruns
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Gu L, Yin X, Cheng Y, Wang X, Zhang M, Zou X, Wang L, Zhuge Y, Zhang F. Overweight/Obesity Increases the Risk of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Cirrhotic Patients. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13040682. [PMID: 37109068 PMCID: PMC10141800 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13040682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the prevalence of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) after the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure in decompensated cirrhotic patients. A retrospective observational cohort study of 145 cirrhotic patients receiving TIPS was carried out in our department from 2017 to 2020. The relationships between BMI and clinical outcomes including OHE, as well as risk factors of developing post-TIPS OHE, were analyzed. BMI was categorized as normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23.0 kg/m2), underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), and overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 23.0 kg/m2). Among the 145 patients, 52 (35.9%) were overweight/obese and 50 (34%) had post-TIPS OHE. Overweight/obese patients more frequently had OHE compared with normal weight patients (OR: 2.754, 95% CI: 1.236-6.140; p = 0.013). Overweight/obesity (p = 0.013) and older age (p = 0.030) were independent risk factors for post-TIPS OHE according to the logistic regression analysis. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis suggested that overweight/obese patients had the highest cumulative incidence of OHE (log-rank p = 0.0118). In conclusion, overweight/obesity and older age may raise the risk of post-TIPS OHE in cirrhotic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Gu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xiaochun Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xixuan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xiaoping Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yuzheng Zhuge
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
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Eriksen PL, Djernes L, Vilstrup H, Ott P. Clearance and production of ammonia quantified in humans by constant ammonia infusion - the effects of cirrhosis and ammonia targeting treatments. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00220-9. [PMID: 37061198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hyperammonaemia is a key pathological feature of liver disease and the primary driver of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However, the relative roles of increased ammonia production and reduced clearance are poorly understood as is the action of ammonia-targeting HE drugs. We aimed to quantify whole-body ammonia metabolism in healthy persons and patients with cirrhosis and to validate our method by examining the effects of glycerol phenylbutyrate and lactulose + rifaximin treatment. METHODS Ten healthy men and ten male patients with cirrhosis were investigated by 90-minute constant ammonia infusion to achieve steady-state plasma ammonia. Whole-body ammonia clearance was calculated as infusion rate divided by steady-state concentration increase and ammonia production as clearance times baseline ammonia concentration. Participants were re-investigated after the ammonia targeting interventions. RESULTS In healthy persons, ammonia clearance was 3.5 (3.1-3.9) L/min and production 49 (35-63) μmol/min. Phenylbutyrate increased clearance by 11% (4-19%, p=0.009). Patients with cirrhosis had a 20% decreased ammonia clearance of 2.7 (2.1-3.3) L/min (p = 0.02) and a nearly tripled production to 131 (102-159) μmol/min (p<0.0001). Lactulose + rifaximin reduced production by 20% (2-37%, p=0.03). The infusion was generally well-tolerated save one hyperammonaemic patient with cirrhosis with possible bleeding unrelated to the infusion who developed clinical HE that reverted when infusion was discontinued. CONCLUSIONS Whole-body ammonia clearance and production may be measured separately by the technique used. The method identified a lower clearance and a higher production in patients with cirrhosis, and showed that phenylbutyrate increases clearance, whereas lactulose + rifaximin reduces production. The method may be used to examine a range of questions related to normo-/pathophysiology and ammonia-targeting treatment mechanisms. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS High blood ammonia plays a key role in liver cirrhosis related brain dysfunction. However, the relative roles of increased ammonia production and reduced ammonia clearance are poorly understood as is the action of ammonia-targeting treatments. This study presents a relatively simple test to measure ammonia metabolism. By use of this test, it was possible to show that patients with liver cirrhosis have decreased ammonia clearance and increased ammonia production compared with healthy persons and to quantify distinctively different ammonia-targeting treatment effects. The test presented holds several perspectives for future studies of normal physiology and pathophysiology, not least in regard to elucidating effects of ammonia-targeting therapies. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov (1-16-02-297-20).
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lykke Eriksen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
| | - Lars Djernes
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Viborg Regional Hospital, Denmark; Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Peter Ott
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
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Zöllner HJ, Thiel TA, Füllenbach ND, Jördens MS, Ahn S, Wilms LM, Ljimani A, Häussinger D, Butz M, Wittsack HJ, Schnitzler A, Oeltzschner G. J-difference GABA-edited MRS reveals altered cerebello-thalamo-cortical metabolism in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Metab Brain Dis 2023; 38:1221-1238. [PMID: 36729261 PMCID: PMC10897767 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01174-x] [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] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common neurological manifestation of liver cirrhosis and is characterized by an increase of ammonia in the brain accompanied by a disrupted neurotransmitter balance, including the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems. The aim of this study is to investigate metabolic abnormalities in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical system of HE patients using GABA-edited MRS and links between metabolite levels, disease severity, critical flicker frequency (CFF), motor performance scores, and blood ammonia levels. GABA-edited MRS was performed in 35 participants (16 controls, 19 HE patients) on a clinical 3 T MRI system. MRS voxels were placed in the right cerebellum, left thalamus, and left motor cortex. Levels of GABA+ and of other metabolites of interest (glutamine, glutamate, myo-inositol, glutathione, total choline, total NAA, and total creatine) were assessed. Group differences in metabolite levels and associations with clinical metrics were tested. GABA+ levels were significantly increased in the cerebellum of patients with HE. GABA+ levels in the motor cortex were significantly decreased in HE patients, and correlated with the CFF (r = 0.73; p < .05) and motor performance scores (r = -0.65; p < .05). Well-established HE-typical metabolite patterns (increased glutamine, decreased myo-inositol and total choline) were confirmed in all three regions and were closely linked to clinical metrics. In summary, our findings provide further evidence for alterations in the GABAergic system in the cerebellum and motor cortex in HE. These changes were accompanied by characteristic patterns of osmolytes and oxidative stress markers in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical system. These metabolic disturbances are a likely contributor to HE motor symptoms in HE. In patients with hepatic encephalopathy, GABA+ levels in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical loop are significantly increased in the cerebellum and significantly decreased in the motor cortex. GABA+ levels in the motor cortex strongly correlate with critical flicker frequency (CFF) and motor performance score (pegboard test tPEG), but not blood ammonia levels (NH3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Jörn Zöllner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Thomas A Thiel
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nur-Deniz Füllenbach
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus S Jördens
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Lena M Wilms
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexandra Ljimani
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus Butz
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörg Wittsack
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alfons Schnitzler
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Higuera-de-la-Tijera F, Velarde-Ruiz Velasco JA, Raña-Garibay RH, Castro-Narro GE, Abdo-Francis JM, Moreno-Alcántar R, Pérez-Hernández JL, Torre A, Contreras-Omaña R, Cano-Contreras A, Castillo-Barradas M, Pérez-Escobar J, Aldana-Ledesma JM, Cerda-Reyes E, Fernández-Pérez NJ, Meza-Cardona J, Flores-García NC, Reyes-Bastidas M, Lira-Vera JE, García-Jiménez ES, Santana-Vargas D, Páez-Zayas VM, Chávez-Tapia NC, Márquez-Guillén E. Current vision on diagnosis and comprehensive care in hepatic encephalopathy. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA DE MEXICO (ENGLISH) 2023; 88:155-174. [PMID: 37127462 DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The first clinical guidelines on hepatic encephalopathy were published in 2009. Almost 14 years since that first publication, numerous advances in the field of diagnosis, treatment, and special condition care have been made. Therefore, as an initiative of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología A.C., we present a current view of those aspects. The manuscript described herein was formulated by 24 experts that participated in six working groups, analyzing, discussing, and summarizing the following topics: Definition of hepatic encephalopathy; recommended classifications; epidemiologic panorama, worldwide and in Mexico; diagnostic tools; conditions that merit a differential diagnosis; treatment; and primary and secondary prophylaxis. Likewise, these guidelines emphasize the management of certain special conditions, such as hepatic encephalopathy in acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure, as well as specific care in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, such as the use of medications and types of sedation, describing those that are permitted or recommended, and those that are not.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Higuera-de-la-Tijera
- Departamento de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - J A Velarde-Ruiz Velasco
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | | | - G E Castro-Narro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - R Moreno-Alcántar
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital de Especialidades Bernardo Sepúlveda del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J L Pérez-Hernández
- Departamento de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Torre
- Centro Médico ABC, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Contreras-Omaña
- Centro de Educación e Investigación en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Toxicológicas (CEIHET), Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - A Cano-Contreras
- Centro de Investigaciones Médico Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - M Castillo-Barradas
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J Pérez-Escobar
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER) "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J M Aldana-Ledesma
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - E Cerda-Reyes
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital Central Militar, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - N C Flores-García
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - J E Lira-Vera
- Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto", San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - E S García-Jiménez
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - D Santana-Vargas
- Clínica de Trastornos del Sueño, Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - V M Páez-Zayas
- Departamento de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - E Márquez-Guillén
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
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46
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Andersen JV, Schousboe A. Glial Glutamine Homeostasis in Health and Disease. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:1100-1128. [PMID: 36322369 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine is an essential cerebral metabolite. Several critical brain processes are directly linked to glutamine, including ammonia homeostasis, energy metabolism and neurotransmitter recycling. Astrocytes synthesize and release large quantities of glutamine, which is taken up by neurons to replenish the glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter pools. Astrocyte glutamine hereby sustains the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, synaptic transmission and general brain function. Cerebral glutamine homeostasis is linked to the metabolic coupling of neurons and astrocytes, and relies on multiple cellular processes, including TCA cycle function, synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter uptake. Dysregulations of processes related to glutamine homeostasis are associated with several neurological diseases and may mediate excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration. In particular, diminished astrocyte glutamine synthesis is a common neuropathological component, depriving neurons of an essential metabolic substrate and precursor for neurotransmitter synthesis, hereby leading to synaptic dysfunction. While astrocyte glutamine synthesis is quantitatively dominant in the brain, oligodendrocyte-derived glutamine may serve important functions in white matter structures. In this review, the crucial roles of glial glutamine homeostasis in the healthy and diseased brain are discussed. First, we provide an overview of cellular recycling, transport, synthesis and metabolism of glutamine in the brain. These cellular aspects are subsequently discussed in relation to pathological glutamine homeostasis of hepatic encephalopathy, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Further studies on the multifaceted roles of cerebral glutamine will not only increase our understanding of the metabolic collaboration between brain cells, but may also aid to reveal much needed therapeutic targets of several neurological pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Balzano T. Active Clinical Trials in Hepatic Encephalopathy: Something Old, Something New and Something Borrowed. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03916-w. [PMID: 36977964 PMCID: PMC10047473 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03916-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a potentially reversible neurocognitive syndrome that occurs in patients with acute or chronic liver disease. Currently, most of the therapies for HE aim to reduce ammonia production or increase its elimination. To date, only two agents have been approved as treatments for HE: lactulose and rifaximin. Many other drugs have also been used, but data to support their use are limited, preliminary or lacking. The aim of this review is to provide an overview and discussion of the current development of treatments for HE. Data from ongoing clinical trials in HE were obtained from the ClinicalTrials.gov website, and a breakdown analysis of studies that were active on August 19th, 2022, was performed. Seventeen registered and ongoing clinical trials for therapeutics targeting HE were identified. More than 75% of these agents are in phase II (41.2%) or in phase III (34.7%). Among them, there are many old acquaintances in the field, such as lactulose and rifaximin, some new entries such as fecal microbiota transplantation and equine anti-thymocyte globulin, an immunosuppressive agent, but also some therapies borrowed from other conditions, such as rifamycin SV MMX and nitazoxanide, two antimicrobial agents FDA approved for the treatment of some types of diarrheas or VE303 and RBX7455, two microbiome restoration therapies, currently used as treatment of high-risk Clostridioides difficile infections. If working, some of these drugs could soon be used as valid alternatives to current therapies when ineffective or be approved as novel therapeutic approaches to improve the quality of life of HE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Balzano
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain.
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48
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Czarnecka AM, Obara-Michlewska M, Wesół-Kucharska D, Greczan M, Kaczor M, Książyk J, Rokicki D, Zielińska M. S100B Protein but Not 3-Nitrotyrosine Positively Correlates with Plasma Ammonia in Patients with Inherited Hyperammonemias: A New Promising Diagnostic Tool? J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062411. [PMID: 36983411 PMCID: PMC10056255 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062411] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with inherited hyperammonemias often present developmental and intellectual deficiencies which are likely to be exaggerated by hyperammonemia episodes in long-term outcomes. In order to find a new, systemic marker common to the course of congenital hyperammonemias, we decided to measure the plasma level of S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B), which is associated with cerebral impairment. Further, we analyzed three mechanistically diverged but linked with oxidative-nitrosative stress biochemical parameters: 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), a measure of plasma proteins' nitration; advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), a measure of protein oxidation; and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, a measure of anti-oxidative enzymatic capacity. The plasma biomarkers listed above were determined for the first time in congenital hyperammonemia. Also, the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators (i.e., IL-12, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10) and chemokines (IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, and RANTES) were quantified. S100B was positively correlated with plasma ammonia level, while noticeable levels of circulating 3-NT in some of the patients' plasma did not correlate with ammonia concentration. Overall, the linear correlation between ammonia and S100B but not standard oxidative stress-related markers offers a unique perspective for the future identification and monitoring of neurological deficits risk-linked with hyperammonemia episodes in patients with inherited hyperammonemias. The S100B measure may support the development of therapeutic targets and clinical monitoring in these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Czarnecka
- Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Obara-Michlewska
- Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Wesół-Kucharska
- Department of Pediatrics, Nutrition, and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Milena Greczan
- Department of Pediatrics, Nutrition, and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kaczor
- Department of Pediatrics, Nutrition, and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Książyk
- Department of Pediatrics, Nutrition, and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Rokicki
- Department of Pediatrics, Nutrition, and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zielińska
- Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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49
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Dantas Machado AC, Ramos SF, Gauglitz JM, Carpenter AM, Petras D, Aksenov AA, Kim UB, Lazarowicz M, Giustini AB, Aryafar H, Vodkin I, Warren C, Dorrestein PC, Zarrinpar A, Zarrinpar A. Pre- and Post-Portosystemic Shunt Placement Metabolomics Reveal Molecular Signatures for the Development of Hepatic Encephalopathy. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.01.02.22281374. [PMID: 36711444 PMCID: PMC9882439 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.02.22281374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of advanced liver disease causing brain dysfunction. This is likely due to the accumulation of unfiltered toxins within the bloodstream. A known risk factor for developing or worsening HE is the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), which connects the pre-hepatic and post-hepatic circulation allowing some blood to bypass the dysfunctional liver and decreases portal hypertension. To better understand the pathophysiology of post-TIPS HE, we conducted a multi-center prospective cohort study employing metabolomic analyses on hepatic vein and peripheral vein blood samples from participants with cirrhosis undergoing elective TIPS placement, measuring chemical modifications and changes in concentrations of metabolites resulting from TIPS placement. In doing so, we identified numerous alterations in metabolites, including bile acids, glycerophosphocholines, and bilirubins possibly implicated in the development and severity of HE.
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50
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Wu C, Zhang J, Wang H, Zhang W, Liu J, Zhou N, Chen K, Wang Y, Peng S, Fu L. TRAF2 as a key candidate gene in clinical hepatitis B-associated liver fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1168250. [PMID: 37091870 PMCID: PMC10113534 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1168250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Approximately 240 million individuals are infected with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide. HBV infection can develop into liver fibrosis. The mechanism of HBV-related liver fibrosis has not been fully understood, and there are few effective treatment options. The goal of this study was to use transcriptomics in conjunction with experimental validation to identify new targets to treat HBV-related liver fibrosis. Methods: To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), five liver tissues were collected from both healthy individuals and patients with chronic hepatitis B. NovoMagic and Java GSEA were used to screen DEGs and key genes, respectively. Immunocell infiltration analysis of RNA-seq data was, and the results were confirmed by Western blotting (WB), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and immunohistochemistry. Results: We evaluated 1,105 genes with differential expression, and 462 and 643 genes showed down- and upregulation, respectively. The essential genes, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor-2 (TRAF2), were screened out of DEGs. TRAF2 expression was abnormally high in hepatic fibrosis in patients with hepatitis B compared with healthy controls. The degree of hepatic fibrosis and serum levels of glutamate transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBIL) were positively linked with TRAF2 expression. TRAF2 may be crucial in controlling T lymphocyte-mediated liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Our findings imply that TRAF2 is essential for HBV-induced liver fibrosis progression, and it may potentially be a promising target for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cichun Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huiwen Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingqing Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nianqi Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Keyu Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shifang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Fu, ; Shifang Peng,
| | - Lei Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Fu, ; Shifang Peng,
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