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Marrapu S, Kumar R. Intestinal lymphangiectasia: Understanding the bigger picture. World J Clin Cases 2024; 12:3298-3303. [PMID: 38983414 PMCID: PMC11229932 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i18.3298] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) is characterized by the dilation of intestinal lymphatic vessels, which can rupture and cause loss of lymph into the intestine. Due to the high content of proteins, lipoproteins, and lymphocytes in the intestinal lymph, loss of lymph might result in hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and lymphocytopenia. In addition, there may be a depletion of minerals, lipids, and fat-soluble vitamins. IL can be primary due to inherent malfunctioning of the lymphatic system, or secondly, a result of various factors that may hinder lymphatic drainage either directly or indirectly. This condition has emerged as a subject of significant clinical interest. Given that the intestinal lymphatic system plays an important role in the body's fluid homeostasis, adaptive immunity, nutrient and drug absorption, intestinal transport, and systemic metabolism, its dysfunction may have wider implications. Although primary IL is rare, with varied clinical features, complications, treatment response, and outcomes, secondary IL is more common than previously believed. The definitive diagnosis of IL requires endoscopic demonstration of whitish villi (which frequently resemble snowflakes) and histological confirmation of dilated lacteals in the small intestinal mucosa. Treatment of IL is challenging and involves dietary modifications, managing underlying medical conditions, and using medications such as sirolimus and octreotide. Recognizing its prevalence and diverse etiology is crucial for targeted management of this challenging medical condition. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the clinical implications associated with IL. In addition, it offers valuable insights into critical knowledge gaps in the existing diagnostic and management landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudheer Marrapu
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, India
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, India
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Bielawski AM, Frishman WH. A Review of Terlipressin in Hepatorenal Syndrome: Targeting Endothelial Dysfunction and Subsequent Cardiovascular Adverse Events. Cardiol Rev 2024:00045415-990000000-00249. [PMID: 38832784 DOI: 10.1097/crd.0000000000000697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a serious complication of decompensated liver cirrhosis that results in acute kidney injury (AKI). The mortality rate is high. Endothelial dysfunction secondary to liver cirrhosis is a key driver of the development of portal hypertension, which is eventually complicated by ascites and HRS. Ultimately, splanchnic vasodilation and excess gut lymph production result in ascites, low effective arterial blood volume, and maladaptive compensatory mechanisms that contribute to renal hypoperfusion and injury. While the only curative treatment is liver transplantation, vasoconstrictors and albumin have been the mainstay of treatment for candidates who are ineligible or waiting for transplantation. On September 14, 2022, terlipressin, a V1 vasopressin receptor agonist, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HRS-AKI. In clinical trials, terlipressin plus albumin have been superior to albumin alone and equivocal to noradrenaline plus albumin in renal function improvement. Terlipressin, however, does not improve survival, is costly, and is associated with severe adverse events-including severe cardiac and vascular complications. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of terlipressin pharmacology, adverse events-with a focus on cardiovascular complications-and comparative randomized controlled trials that resulted in the Food and Drug Administration's approval of terlipressin. New literature since its approval and ongoing clinical trials will also be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne M Bielawski
- From the Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
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Rodrigues SG, van der Merwe S, Krag A, Wiest R. Gut-liver axis: Pathophysiological concepts and medical perspective in chronic liver diseases. Semin Immunol 2024; 71:101859. [PMID: 38219459 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Susana G Rodrigues
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Schalk van der Merwe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University hospital Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Centre for Liver Research, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Reiner Wiest
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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Terbah R, Testro A, Gow P, Majumdar A, Sinclair M. Portal Hypertension in Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Decompensated Cirrhosis-Pathogenesis, Implications and Therapeutic Opportunities. Nutrients 2023; 16:35. [PMID: 38201864 PMCID: PMC10780673 DOI: 10.3390/nu16010035] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and are associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Their pathophysiology is complex and multifactorial, with protein-calorie malnutrition, systemic inflammation, reduced glycogen stores and hormonal imbalances all well reported. The direct contribution of portal hypertension to these driving factors is however not widely documented in the literature. This review details the specific mechanisms by which portal hypertension directly contributes to the development of malnutrition and sarcopenia in cirrhosis. We summarise the existing literature describing treatment strategies that specifically aim to reduce portal pressures and their impact on nutritional and muscle outcomes, which is particularly relevant to those with end-stage disease awaiting liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryma Terbah
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (R.T.); (A.T.); (P.G.); (A.M.)
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Adam Testro
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (R.T.); (A.T.); (P.G.); (A.M.)
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Paul Gow
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (R.T.); (A.T.); (P.G.); (A.M.)
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Avik Majumdar
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (R.T.); (A.T.); (P.G.); (A.M.)
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Marie Sinclair
- Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (R.T.); (A.T.); (P.G.); (A.M.)
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
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Juneja P, Sharma A, Shasthry SM, Kumar G, Tripathi DM, Rajan V, Rastogi A, Sarin SK, Kaur S. Podoplanin-positive dilated lymphatic vessels in duodenum associates with three-month mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1045983. [PMID: 37304826 PMCID: PMC10248415 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1045983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Dilated and dysfunctional gut lymphatic vessels (LVs) have been reported in experimental cirrhosis. Here, we studied LVs in duodenal (D2)-biopsies of liver cirrhosis patients and investigated the prognostic role of a LV marker, podoplanin (PDPN), in predicting the mortality of patients with cirrhosis. A prospective, single-center cohort study was performed in liver cirrhosis patients (n = 31) and matched healthy controls (n = 9). D2-biopsies were obtained during endoscopy procedure, immunostained with PDPN, and scored based on 1) intensity and 2) density of positively-stained LVs per high power field. Gut and systemic inflammation were estimated by quantifying duodenal CD3+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), CD68+ macrophages, and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels, respectively. Gut permeability and inflammation as assessed by quantifying gene expression of TJP1, OCLN, TNF-α, and IL-6 in D2-biopsies. Gene expression of LV markers, PDPN (8-fold), and LYVE1 (3-fold) was enhanced in D2-biopsies of cirrhosis patients compared to control (p < 0.0001). The mean PDPN score in decompensated cirrhosis patients (6.91 ± 1.26, p < 0.0001) was significantly increased as compared to those with compensated (3.25 ± 1.60). PDPN score positively and significantly correlated with the number of IELs (r = 0.33), serum TNF-α (r = 0.35), and IL-6 (r = 0.48) levels, while inversely correlated with TJP1 expression (r = -0.46, p < 0.05 each). In Cox regression, the PDPN score was a significant and independent 3-month-mortality predictor in patients (HR: 5.61; 1.08-29.109; p = 0.04). The area under the curve for the PDPN score was 84.2, and cutoff value for predicting mortality was ≥6.5 with 100% sensitivity and 75% specificity. Collectively, dilated LVs with high PDPN expression in D2-biopsies is a characteristic feature of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. PDPN score correlates with enhanced gut and systemic inflammation and also associates with 3-month mortality in cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinky Juneja
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Aarti Sharma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - S. M. Shasthry
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Guresh Kumar
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Dinesh M. Tripathi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - V. Rajan
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Archana Rastogi
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Shiv K. Sarin
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Tilg H, Adolph TE, Trauner M. Gut-liver axis: Pathophysiological concepts and clinical implications. Cell Metab 2022; 34:1700-1718. [PMID: 36208625 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bidirectional crosstalk along the gut-liver axis controls gastrointestinal health and disease and exploits environmental and host mediators. Nutrients, microbial antigens, metabolites, and bile acids regulate metabolism and immune responses in the gut and liver, which reciprocally shape microbial community structure and function. Perturbation of such host-microbe interactions is observed in a variety of experimental liver diseases and is facilitated by an impaired intestinal barrier, which is fueling hepatic inflammation and disease progression. Clinical evidence describes perturbation of the gut-liver crosstalk in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. In liver cirrhosis, a common sequela of these diseases, the intestinal microbiota and microbial pathogen-associated molecular patterns constitute liver inflammation and clinical complications, such as hepatic encephalopathy. Understanding the intricate metabolic interplay between the gut and liver in health and disease opens an avenue for targeted therapies in the future, which is probed in controlled clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Tilg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Timon E Adolph
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University, Vienna, Austria
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Iwasa M, Eguchi A, Tamai Y, Shigefuku R, Nakagawa R, Hasegawa H, Kondo J, Morikawa M, Miyoshi E, Nakagawa H. Elevation of enterococcus-specific antibodies associated with bacterial translocation is predictive of survival rate in chronic liver disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:982128. [PMID: 36035413 PMCID: PMC9403143 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.982128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction/purposeThe gut-liver axis contributes to disease progression, a rise in infection rate, organ failure and a poor overall outcome in chronic liver diseases (CLD). Monitoring of the gut-liver axis is critical in understanding disease status, but biomarkers have not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to determine the level of serum antibodies against Enterococcus (E.) faecalis in evaluating patients with CLD, including those treated with rifaximin (a minimally absorbed antibiotic), and in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD).Materials and methodsWe enrolled 109 CLD patients (cohort 1), 30 hepatic encephalopathy patients treated with rifaximin (cohort 2), 53 inpatients with ALD undergoing alcohol cessation (cohort 3) and 33 healthy subjects. To assess the consequences of E. faecalis translocation, we developed an assay for the detection of a serum antibody against E. faecalis capsular polysaccharide (E.CPS).ResultsSerum E.CPS antibody titer was elevated only in those patients with advanced CLD and ALD. The E.CPS antibody titer was an independent prognostic factor (p < 0.05), while Mac-2 binding protein and albumin-bilirubin score were not independent predictors of survival. The improvement of predictive model in integrated factors was significant [continuous net reclassification index (value 0.699, p < 0.05) and integrated discrimination improvement (value 0.164, p = 0.051)]. Furthermore, rifaximin treatment led to a decrease of serum E.CPS antibody titer resulting in a significantly longer overall rate of survival.ConclusionThe E.CPS antibody titer appears to be a strong predictor of survival in CLD patients. Serum E.CPS levels decrease in CLD patients receiving rifaximin, and may be associated with an overall improvement in rate of survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoh Iwasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Akiko Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
- *Correspondence: Akiko Eguchi,
| | - Yasuyuki Tamai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Ryuta Shigefuku
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | | | - Hiroshi Hasegawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Jumpei Kondo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Eiji Miyoshi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hayato Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
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Liu J, Yu C. Lymphangiogenesis and Lymphatic Barrier Dysfunction in Renal Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23136970. [PMID: 35805972 PMCID: PMC9267103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As an integral part of the vascular system, the lymphatic vasculature is essential for tissue fluid homeostasis, nutritional lipid assimilation and immune regulation. The composition of the lymphatic vasculature includes fluid-absorbing initial lymphatic vessels (LVs), transporting collecting vessels and anti-regurgitation valves. Although, in recent decades, research has drastically enlightened our view of LVs, investigations of initial LVs, also known as lymphatic capillaries, have been stagnant due to technical limitations. In the kidney, the lymphatic vasculature mainly presents in the cortex, keeping the local balance of fluid, solutes and immune cells. The contribution of renal LVs to various forms of pathology, especially chronic kidney diseases, has been addressed in previous studies, however with diverging and inconclusive results. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in the proliferation and permeability of lymphatic capillaries as well as their influencing factors. Novel technologies to visualize and measure LVs function are described. Then, we highlight the role of the lymphatic network in renal fibrosis and the crosstalk between kidney and other organs, such as gut and heart.
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