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Ribeiro RM, Vasconcelos SC, Lima PLGDSB, Coelho EF, Oliveira AMN, Gomes EDABM, Mota LDA, Radtke LS, Carvalho MDS, Araújo DABS, Pinheiro MSN, Gama VCDV, Júnior RMM, Braga Neto P, Nóbrega PR. Pathophysiology and Treatment of Lipid Abnormalities in Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis: An Integrative Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:979. [PMID: 37508912 PMCID: PMC10377253 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13070979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in CYP27A1, leading to a deficiency in sterol 27-hydroxylase. This defect results in the accumulation of cholestanol and bile alcohols in various tissues, including the brain, tendons and peripheral nerves. We conducted this review to evaluate lipid profile abnormalities in patients with CTX. A search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and the Virtual Health Library in January 2023 to evaluate studies reporting the lipid profiles of CTX patients, including the levels of cholestanol, cholesterol and other lipids. Elevated levels of cholestanol were consistently observed. Most patients presented normal or low serum cholesterol levels. A decrease in chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) leads to increased synthesis of cholesterol metabolites, such as bile alcohols 23S-pentol and 25-tetrol 3-glucuronide, which may serve as surrogate follow-up markers in patients with CTX. Lipid abnormalities in CTX have clinical implications. Cholestanol deposition in tissues contributes to clinical manifestations, including neurological symptoms and tendon xanthomas. Dyslipidemia and abnormal cholesterol metabolism may also contribute to the increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications observed in some CTX patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucas Soares Radtke
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60430-372, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pedro Braga Neto
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60430-372, Brazil
| | - Paulo Ribeiro Nóbrega
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60430-372, Brazil
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Nóbrega PR, Bernardes AM, Ribeiro RM, Vasconcelos SC, Araújo DABS, Gama VCDV, Fussiger H, Santos CDF, Dias DA, Pessoa ALS, Pinto WBVDR, Saute JAM, de Souza PVS, Braga-Neto P. Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis: A practice review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1049850. [PMID: 36619921 PMCID: PMC9816572 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1049850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis represents a rare and underdiagnosed inherited neurometabolic disorder due to homozygous or compound heterozygous variants involving the CYP27A1 gene. This bile acid metabolism disorder represents a key potentially treatable neurogenetic condition due to the wide spectrum of neurological presentations in which it most commonly occurs. Cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, spastic paraparesis, epilepsy, parkinsonism, cognitive decline, intellectual disability, and neuropsychiatric disturbances represent some of the most common neurological signs observed in this condition. Despite representing key features to increase diagnostic index suspicion, multisystemic involvement does not represent an obligatory feature and can also be under evaluated during diagnostic work-up. Chenodeoxycholic acid represents a well-known successful therapy for this inherited metabolic disease, however its unavailability in several contexts, high costs and common use in patients at late stages of disease course limit more favorable neurological outcomes for most individuals. This review article aims to discuss and highlight the most recent and updated knowledge regarding clinical, pathophysiological, neuroimaging, genetic and therapeutic aspects related to Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Ribeiro Nóbrega
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil,Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson Moura Bernardes
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Mariano Ribeiro
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Sophia Costa Vasconcelos
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | | | - Helena Fussiger
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federação de Estabelecimentos de Ensino Superior em Novo Hamburgo, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil,Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - André Luíz Santos Pessoa
- Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin, Fortaleza, Brazil,Center of Health Science, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Jonas Alex Morales Saute
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil,Medical Genetics Service and Neurology Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil,Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paulo Victor Sgobbi de Souza
- Neurometabolic Unit, Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Paulo Victor Sgobbi de Souza ✉
| | - Pedro Braga-Neto
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil,Center of Health Science, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
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Fernández-Eulate G, Martin GC, Dureau P, Speeg-Spatz C, Brassier A, Gillard P, Bremond-Gignac D, Thouvenin D, Pagan C, Lamari F, Nadjar Y. Prospective cholestanol screening of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis among patients with juvenile-onset unexplained bilateral cataracts. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:434. [PMID: 36514115 PMCID: PMC9749289 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02591-4] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare genetic disorder related to CYP27A1 biallelic mutations, leading to decreased synthesis of bile acids and increased cholestanol. Juvenile bilateral cataracts are one of the most common findings in the disease, frequently occurring before the onset of neurological manifestations. While early treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid can prevent the onset of neurological impairment, poor awareness of CTX accounts for a markedly delayed diagnosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of plasma cholestanol analysis at the moment of cataract diagnosis and before the onset of neurological impairment in CTX. METHODS Multicenter prospective cohort study of patients with juvenile-onset unexplained bilateral cataracts recruited from seven French ophthalmology departments. Plasma cholestanol analysis was performed at diagnosis from January 2018 to January 2020. CYP27A1 genetic testing was performed at the ophthalmologist's discretion. Cholestanol levels were compared with those of a similar population of patients without cataracts (control cohort). RESULTS 30 patients were finally recruited, with a mean age at cataract diagnosis of 7.1 years (± 4.8 SD, range 1-19 years). One patient had a very high cholestanol level (68 μmol/L, reference < 10) and carried two pathogenic heterozygous mutations in CYP27A1 confirming CTX. This patient was a 19-year-old female, reporting chronic diarrhea only in childhood, and diagnosed with bilateral posterior cataracts with cortical fleck-like opacities. Therefore, the incidence of CTX in our cohort of patients was 3.3%. Five further patients (5/29; 17.2%) had moderate elevations of cholestanol level (between 10.3 and 16.5 μmol/L), compared to 12/286 (4.2%) in the control cohort (p = 0.014) after adjustment for age. CONCLUSION Our study argue for the relevance of plasma cholestanol CTX screening in all patients with juvenile-onset unexplained cataracts, even without other CTX identified manifestations. Whether moderate elevations of plasma cholestanol unrelated to CTX may be a risk factor for bilateral cataracts occurrence needs further examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorka Fernández-Eulate
- grid.411439.a0000 0001 2150 9058Reference Center for Lysosomal Diseases, Neuro-Metabolism Unit, Neurology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, APHP, 47-83 Boulevard de l’Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France ,grid.411439.a0000 0001 2150 9058Reference Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Neuro-Myology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Gilles C. Martin
- grid.419339.5Ophthalmology Department, Rothschild Foundation Hospitals, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Dureau
- grid.419339.5Ophthalmology Department, Rothschild Foundation Hospitals, Paris, France
| | - Claude Speeg-Spatz
- grid.413866.e0000 0000 8928 6711Ophthalmology Department, Nouvel Hôpital Civil - Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anais Brassier
- grid.412134.10000 0004 0593 9113Pediatric Department, Necker Enfants Malades University Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Perrine Gillard
- grid.419339.5Ophthalmology Department, Rothschild Foundation Hospitals, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Bremond-Gignac
- grid.412134.10000 0004 0593 9113Ophthalmology Department, Necker Enfants Malades University Hospital, APHP, INSERM Unit 1138, Team 17, Cordeliers, Paris University, Paris, France
| | | | - Cecile Pagan
- grid.413852.90000 0001 2163 3825Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LBMMS, Lyon University Hospital, Lyon, France
| | - Foudil Lamari
- grid.411439.a0000 0001 2150 9058Metabolic Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry of Neurometabolic Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Yann Nadjar
- grid.411439.a0000 0001 2150 9058Reference Center for Lysosomal Diseases, Neuro-Metabolism Unit, Neurology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, APHP, 47-83 Boulevard de l’Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
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Kim SY, Lee SM, Kwon GE, Kim BJ, Koo JN, Oh IH, Kim SM, Shin S, Kim W, Joo SK, Norwitz ER, Jung YM, Park CW, Jun JK, Choi MH, Park JS. Maternal dyslipidemia and altered cholesterol metabolism in early pregnancy as a risk factor for small for gestational age neonates. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21066. [PMID: 34702839 PMCID: PMC8548295 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00270-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the relationship between maternal cholesterol levels and its biologically active precursors and metabolites in the first trimester and subsequent risk for small-for-gestational-age birthweight (SGA). This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study which enrolled healthy singleton pregnancies (n = 1337). Maternal fasting blood was taken in the first trimester and followed up till delivery. The lipid parameters were compared between women who delivered SGA neonates (SGA-group, birthweight < 10th percentile, n = 107) and women who did not (non-SGA-group, n = 1230). In addition, metabolic signatures of cholesterol were evaluated in a subset consisting of propensity-score matched SGA (n = 56) and control group (n = 56). Among lipid parameters, maternal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower in SGA-group than in non-SGA-group (p = 0.022). The risk for SGA was negatively correlated with maternal serum HDL-C quartiles (p = 0.003), and this association remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables. In metabolic signatures of cholesterol, the cholesterol/lathosterol ratio in SGA-group was significantly higher than non-SGA-group [(2.7 (1.6-3.7) vs. 2.1 (1.5-2.9), respectively; p = 0.034)], suggesting increased endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis. We demonstrated that dyslipidemia and increased cholesterol biosynthesis led to delivery of SGA neonates even in early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Yeon Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Mi Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Go Eun Kwon
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seoul, 02792, Korea
| | - Byoung Jae Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Sun Min Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sue Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sae Kyung Joo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Errol R Norwitz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Young Mi Jung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Chan-Wook Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Jong Kwan Jun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Man Ho Choi
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seoul, 02792, Korea.
| | - Joong Shin Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.
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Badura-Stronka M, Hirschfeld AS, Winczewska-Wiktor A, Budzyńska E, Jakubiuk-Tomaszuk A, Piontek A, Steinborn B, Kozubski W. First case series of Polish patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis and systematic review of cases from the 21st century. Clin Genet 2021; 101:190-207. [PMID: 34689324 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by recessive variants in the cytochrome P450 CYP27A1 gene. CTX is said to manifest with childhood-onset chronic diarrhea and the classic triad of juvenile-onset cataracts, Achilles tendons xanthomas, and progressive ataxia. It is currently one of the few inherited neurometabolic disorders amenable to a specific treatment. The diagnosis may be significantly delayed resulting in permanent neurological impairment. A retrospective review of the clinical characteristics and diagnostic findings in case series of six Polish patients with CTX. Additional retrospective review of symptoms and pathogenic variants of 568 CTX available cases and case series from the past 20 years. To the best of our knowledge, this is the widest review of CTX cases reported in years 2000-2021. We report the largest cohort of Polish patients ever published, with the identification of two hot-spot mutations. During the review of available 568 cases, we found significant differences in the clinical phenotypes and the localization of variants within the gene between Asian and non-Asian populations. These findings may facilitate molecular testing in the Polish and Asian populations. Invariably better screening for CTX and wider awareness is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Badura-Stronka
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Centers for Medical Genetics GENESIS, Poznan, Poland
| | | | | | - Edyta Budzyńska
- Central Teaching Hospital, The Medical University of Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Jakubiuk-Tomaszuk
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.,Medical Genetics Unit, Mastermed Medical Center, Poland
| | - Anita Piontek
- Department of Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Barbara Steinborn
- Department of Child Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kozubski
- Department of Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Achilles Tendon Xanthoma and Cholestanol Revealing Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis: A New Case Report. Case Rep Rheumatol 2021; 2021:6656584. [PMID: 34104504 PMCID: PMC8159634 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6656584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an autosomal recessive lipid storage disease rarely reported in Africa. Therefore, we report a Moroccan first case report of CTX. A 20-year-old woman was presented in our department for bilateral swelling of the posterior aspect of ankles and the anterior aspect knees with gait disturbances evolving since the age of 7. The patient was the first child of consanguineous marriage. She had bilateral cataracts and developmental delay. Laboratory findings revealed that the plasma cholestanol level was remarkably elevated, and plasma and urine bile alcohol levels were elevated. MRI of ankles showed a bilateral diffuse thickening of the Achilles tendon with hypointense in T1 and heterogeneous hypersignal in T2 with spots in hypersignal in T1 and T2. Brain MRI revealed bilateral and symmetrical T2 hypersignal of dentate nuclei, without white matter signal alterations or cerebral or cerebellar atrophy. A biopsy obtained of the Achilles swelling with a histological study showed an aspect of tendon xanthoma. Hence, the diagnosis of CTX was made. MRI, especially brain MRI, plays an important role in the diagnosis of CTX.
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CFTR Modulator Therapy with Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor Alters Plasma Concentrations of Lipid-Soluble Vitamins A and E in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10030483. [PMID: 33808590 PMCID: PMC8003491 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10030483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Cystic fibrosis (CF), caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, leads to impaired pancreatic function and therefore reduced intestinal absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins especially in patients with CF developing pancreatic insufficiency (PI). Previous studies showed that CFTR modulator therapy with lumacaftor-ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) in Phe508del-homozygous patients with CF results in improvement of pulmonary disease and thriving. However, the effects of LUM/IVA on plasma concentration of the lipid soluble vitamins A and E remain unknown. OBJECTIVES To investigate the course of plasma vitamin A and E in patients with CF under LUM/IVA therapy. METHODS Data from annual follow-up examinations of patients with CF were obtained to assess clinical outcomes including pulmonary function status, body mass index (BMI), and clinical chemistry as well as fat-soluble vitamins in Phe508del-homozygous CF patients before initiation and during LUM/IVA therapy. RESULTS Patients with CF receiving LUM/IVA improved substantially, including improvement in pulmonary inflammation, associated with a decrease in blood immunoglobulin G (IgG) from 9.4 to 8.2 g/L after two years (p < 0.001). During the same time, plasma vitamin A increased significantly from 1.2 to 1.6 µmol/L (p < 0.05), however, levels above the upper limit of normal were not detected in any of the patients. In contrast, plasma vitamin E as vitamin E/cholesterol ratio decreased moderately over the same time from 6.2 to 5.5 µmol/L (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS CFTR modulator therapy with LUM/IVA alters concentrations of vitamins A and vitamin E in plasma. The increase of vitamin A must be monitored critically to avoid hypervitaminosis A in patients with CF.
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Lumacaftor/ivacaftor improves liver cholesterol metabolism but does not influence hypocholesterolemia in patients with cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros 2020; 20:e1-e6. [PMID: 32586737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2020.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have reduced intestinal absorption of sterols and, despite enhanced endogenous synthesis, low plasma cholesterol. Lumacaftor/ivacaftor CFTR protein modulator therapy is used to improve the clinical outcome of CF patients homozygous for F508del mutation (homo-deltaF508). Aim of the study is to evaluate the cholesterol metabolism and hepatobiliary injury/function in adult homo-deltaF508 patients, before and after lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment. Baseline parameters in homo-deltaF508 patients were compared to those in CF patients compound heterozygous for F508del mutation and another severe mutation (hetero-deltaF508). METHODS Cholesterol metabolism was evaluated measuring plasma phytosterols and cholestanol, as intestinal absorption markers, and lathosterol, as liver biosynthesis marker. We quantified serum vitamin E, as nutritional marker. We evaluated liver injury by aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), biliary injury by γ-glutamyltransferase (γGT) and AP, and the liver function by bilirubin and albumin. RESULTS Before the treatment, homo-deltaF508 patients (n = 20) had significantly lower cholesterol and vitamin E compared to hetero-deltaF508 (n = 20). Lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment caused: 1) further reduction of cholesterol; 2) lathosterol reduction, suggesting a normalization of endogenous synthesis; 3) cholestanol and vitamin E increment, indicating an improvement of lipid digestion/absorption. Vitamin E difference (after-before treatment) was positively associated to treatment months. Alkaline phosphatase was also reduced. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest an effect of lumacaftor/ivacaftor on cholesterol metabolism and enterohepatic flux in CF patients. However, lumacaftor/ivacaftor does not promote the increase of cholesterol serum concentration that on the contrary declines. Further studies are needed to research the real mechanism causing this reduction.
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