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Guixé-Muntet S, Quesada-Vázquez S, Gracia-Sancho J. Pathophysiology and therapeutic options for cirrhotic portal hypertension. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 9:646-663. [PMID: 38642564 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00438-7] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Portal hypertension represents the primary non-neoplastic complication of liver cirrhosis and has life-threatening consequences, such as oesophageal variceal bleeding, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. Portal hypertension occurs due to increased resistance of the cirrhotic liver vasculature to portal blood flow and is further aggravated by the hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome. Existing knowledge indicates that the profibrogenic phenotype acquired by sinusoidal cells is the initial factor leading to increased hepatic vascular tone and fibrosis, which cause increased vascular resistance and portal hypertension. Data also suggest that the phenotype of hepatic cells could be further impaired due to the altered mechanical properties of the cirrhotic liver itself, creating a deleterious cycle that worsens portal hypertension in the advanced stages of liver disease. In this Review, we discuss recent discoveries in the pathophysiology and treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension, a condition with few pharmacological treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Quesada-Vázquez
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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2
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Paternostro R, Kwanten WJ, Hofer BS, Semmler G, Bagdadi A, Luzko I, Hernández-Gea V, Graupera I, García-Pagán JC, Saltini D, Indulti F, Schepis F, Moga L, Rautou PE, Llop E, Téllez L, Albillos A, Fortea JI, Puente A, Tosetti G, Primignani M, Zipprich A, Vuille-Lessard E, Berzigotti A, Taru MG, Taru V, Procopet B, Jansen C, Praktiknjo M, Gu W, Trebicka J, Ibanez-Samaniego L, Bañares R, Rivera-Esteban J, Pericas JM, Genesca J, Alvarado E, Villanueva C, Larrue H, Bureau C, Laleman W, Ardevol A, Masnou H, Vanwolleghem T, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Francque S, Reiberger T. Hepatic venous pressure gradient predicts risk of hepatic decompensation and liver-related mortality in patients with MASLD. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)00368-4. [PMID: 38823501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Portal hypertension drives hepatic decompensation and is best diagnosed by hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement. Here, we investigate the prognostic value of HVPG in MASLD-related compensated ACLD (MASLD-cACLD). METHODS This European multicentre study included patients with MASLD-cACLD characterised by HVPG at baseline. Hepatic decompensation (variceal bleeding/ascites/hepatic encephalopathy) and liver-related mortality were considered the primary events of interest. RESULTS A total of 340 patients with MASLD-cACLD (56.2% male; median age 62 [55-68] years, median MELD 8 [7-9], 71.2% with diabetes) were included. Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH: i.e., HVPG ≥10 mmHg) was found in 209 patients (61.5%). During a median follow-up of 41.5 (27.5-65.8) months, 65 patients developed hepatic decompensation with a cumulative incidence of 10.0% after 2 years (2Y) and 30.7% after 5 years (5Y) in those with MASLD-cACLD with CSPH, compared to 2.4% after 2Y and 9.4% after 5Y in patients without CSPH. Variceal bleeding did not occur without CSPH. CSPH (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 5.13; p <0.001) was associated with an increased decompensation risk and a higher HVPG remained an independent risk factor in the multivariable model (adjusted SHR per mmHg: 1.12, p <0.001). Liver-related mortality occurred in 37 patients at a cumulative incidence of 3.3% after 2Y and 21.4% after 5Y in CSPH. Without CSPH, the incidence after 5Y was 0.8%. Accordingly, a higher HVPG was also independently associated with a higher risk of liver-related death (adjusted SHR per mmHg: 1.20, p <0.001). CONCLUSION HVPG measurement is of high prognostic value in MASLD-cACLD. In patients with MASLD-cACLD without CSPH, the short-term risk of decompensation is very low and liver-related mortality is rare, while the presence of CSPH substantially increases the risk of both. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS While the incidence of compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) due to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasing worldwide, insights into the impact of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) on the risk of liver-related events in MASLD-cACLD remain limited. Based on the findings of this European multicentre study including 340 MASLD-cACLD patients, we could show that increasing HVPG values and the presence of CSPH in particular were associated with a significantly higher risk of first hepatic decompensation and liver-related mortality. In contrast, the short-term incidence of decompensation in patients with MASLD-cACLD without CSPH was low and the risk of liver-mortality remained negligible. Thus, HVPG measurements can provide important prognostic information for individualised risk stratification in MASLD-cACLD and may help facilitate the study of novel and promising treatment possibilities for MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Paternostro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wilhelmus J Kwanten
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Benedikt Silvester Hofer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ali Bagdadi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Irina Luzko
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Isabel Graupera
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Dario Saltini
- Division of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federica Indulti
- Division of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Filippo Schepis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucile Moga
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, Clichy, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, Clichy, France
| | - Elba Llop
- Liver Unit, Hospital U, Puerta de Hierro. Universidad Autònoma de Madrid, CIBERehd, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Téllez
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Albillos
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Ignacio Fortea
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Health Research Institute Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Angela Puente
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Health Research Institute Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Giulia Tosetti
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundation IRCCS Cá Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Primignani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundation IRCCS Cá Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexander Zipprich
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Internal Medicine IV, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Elise Vuille-Lessard
- Hepatology, Inselspital, University Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine (UVCM), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Hepatology, Inselspital, University Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine (UVCM), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Madalina-Gabriela Taru
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Octavian fodor", Hepatology Department and "luliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3(rd) Medical Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad Taru
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Octavian fodor", Hepatology Department and "luliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3(rd) Medical Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan Procopet
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Octavian fodor", Hepatology Department and "luliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3(rd) Medical Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Christian Jansen
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Praktiknjo
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Wenyi Gu
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Luis Ibanez-Samaniego
- Servicio de Medicina del Aparato Digestivo. IiSGM. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Complutense. CIBERehd. Madrid. Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Servicio de Medicina del Aparato Digestivo. IiSGM. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Complutense. CIBERehd. Madrid. Spain
| | - Jesús Rivera-Esteban
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan M Pericas
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Genesca
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Edilmar Alvarado
- Servei de Patología Digestiva, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona Spain. Universitat autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Candid Villanueva
- Servei de Patología Digestiva, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona Spain. Universitat autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Helene Larrue
- Department of Hepato-gastroenterology, Purpan Hospital, CHU Toulouse, InSERM U858, University of Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier Touluse, France
| | - Christophe Bureau
- Department of Hepato-gastroenterology, Purpan Hospital, CHU Toulouse, InSERM U858, University of Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier Touluse, France
| | - Wim Laleman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alba Ardevol
- Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Helena Masnou
- Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sven Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Demir M, Bornstein SR, Mantzoros CS, Perakakis N. Liver fat as risk factor of hepatic and cardiometabolic diseases. Obes Rev 2023; 24:e13612. [PMID: 37553237 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver that can progress to liver inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]), liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Although most efforts for drug development are focusing on the treatment of the latest stages of NAFLD, where significant fibrosis and NASH are present, findings from studies suggest that the amount of liver fat may be an important independent risk factor and/or predictor of development and progression of NAFLD and metabolic diseases. In this review, we first describe the current tools available for quantification of liver fat in humans and then present the clinical and pathophysiological evidence that link liver fat with NAFLD progression as well as with cardiometabolic diseases. Finally, we discuss current pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to reduce liver fat and present open questions that have to be addressed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Münevver Demir
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow Clinic and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID), Helmholtz Center Munich, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston VA Healthcare System and Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
| | - Nikolaos Perakakis
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID), Helmholtz Center Munich, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
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Bauer DJM, Matic V, Mare R, Maiocchi L, Chromy D, Müllner-Bucsics T, Mandorfer M, Mustapic S, Sporea I, Ferraioli G, Grgurevic I, Reiberger T. Point Shear Wave Elastography by ElastPQ for Fibrosis Screening in Patients with NAFLD: A Prospective, Multicenter Comparison to Vibration-Controlled Elastography. ULTRASCHALL IN DER MEDIZIN (STUTTGART, GERMANY : 1980) 2023; 44:169-178. [PMID: 35226932 PMCID: PMC10063334 DOI: 10.1055/a-1724-7289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of liver disease in the Western world, clinicians need reliable noninvasive tools for the identification of NAFLD-associated fibrosis. Limited evidence on the performance of the novel shear wave elastography technique Elast-PQ (EPQ) in NAFLD is available. METHOD In this prospective, European multinational study we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of EPQ using vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) as a reference standard. RESULTS Among 353 NAFLD patients, 332 (94.1%) fulfilled reliability criteria of VCTE and EPQ (defined by IQR/median ≤0.3; 41.3% female, mean age: 59 [IQR: 16.5], mean BMI: 29.0 (7.1)). 4/353 (1.1%) and 17/353 (4.8%) had unreliable VCTE and EPQ measurements, respectively. VCTE-based NAFLD fibrosis stages were F0/F1: 222(66.9%), F2: 41 (12.3%), F3: 30 (9.1%), F4: 39 (11.7%). We found a strong correlation (Pearson R=0.87; p<0.0001) and concordance (Lin's concordance correlation coefficient =0.792) of EPQ with VCTE. EPQ was able to identify NAFLD-fibrosis risk with the following EPQ cutoffs: ≥6.5 kPa for significant fibrosis (≥F2) (≥1.47 m/s; sensitivity: 78%; specificity: 95%; AUROC: 0.94), ≥6.9 kPa for advanced fibrosis (≥F3) (≥1.52 m/s; sens.: 88%, spec.: 89%; AUROC: 0.949), and ≥10.4 kPa for cirrhosis (F4) (≥1.86 m/s; sens.: 87%; spec.: 94%; AUROC: 0.949). CONCLUSION The point shear wave elastography technique EPQ shows excellent correlation to and concordance with VCTE. EPQ can reliably exclude NAFLD fibrosis <6.0 kPa (<1.41 m/s) and indicate a high risk of advanced fibrosis ≥10.4 kPa (≥1.86 m/s).
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Affiliation(s)
- David JM Bauer
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Vladimir Matic
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ruxandra Mare
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Center for Advanced Research in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Laura Maiocchi
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - David Chromy
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Theresa Müllner-Bucsics
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | | | - Ioan Sporea
- Department of Internal Medicine II,Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Center for Advanced Research in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Giovanna Ferraioli
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Thomas Reiberger
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
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5
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Hari A. Ultrasound-Based Diagnostic Methods: Possible Use in Fatty Liver Disease Area. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12112822. [PMID: 36428882 PMCID: PMC9689357 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112822] [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: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver steatosis is a chronic liver disease that is becoming one of the most important global health problems, due to its direct connection with metabolic syndrome, its significant impact on patients' socioeconomic status and frailty, and the occurrence of advanced chronic liver disease. In recent years, there has been rapid technological progress in the ultrasound-based diagnostics field that can help us to quantitatively assess liver steatosis, including continuous attenuation parameters in A and B ultrasound modes, backscatter coefficients (e.g., speed of sound) and ultrasound envelope statistic parametric imaging. The methods used in this field are widely available, have favorable time and financial profiles, and are well accepted by patients. Less is known about their reliability in defining the presence and degree of liver steatosis. Numerous study reports have shown the methods' favorable negative and positive predictive values in comparison with reference investigations (liver biopsy and MRI). Important research has also evaluated the role of these methods in diagnosing and monitoring non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Since NAFLD is becoming the dominant global cause of liver cirrhosis, and due to the close but complex interplay of liver steatosis with the coexistence of liver fibrosis, knowledge regarding NAFLD's influence on the progression of liver fibrosis is of crucial importance. Study findings, therefore, indicate the possibility of using these same diagnostic methods to evaluate the impact of NAFLD on the patient's liver fibrosis progression risk, metabolic risk factors, cardiovascular complications, and the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. The mentioned areas are particularly important in light of the fact that most of the known chronic liver disease etiologies are increasingly intertwined with the simultaneous presence of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Hari
- Oddelek za Bolezni Prebavil, Splošna Bolnišnica Celje, Oblakova Cesta 3, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
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Chan W, Tan S, Chan S, Lee Y, Tee H, Mahadeva S, Goh K, Ramli AS, Mustapha F, Kosai NR, Raja Ali RA. Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology consensus statement on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:795-811. [PMID: 35080048 PMCID: PMC9303255 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology saw the need for a consensus statement on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The consensus panel consisted of experts in the field of gastroenterology/hepatology, endocrinology, bariatric surgery, family medicine, and public health. A modified Delphi process was used to prepare the consensus statements. The panel recognized the high and increasing prevalence of the disease and the consequent anticipated increase in liver-related complications and mortality. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in MAFLD patients; therefore, cardiovascular disease risk assessment and management is important. A simple and clear liver assessment and referral pathway was agreed upon, so that patients with more severe MAFLD can be linked to gastroenterology/hepatology care, while patients with less severe MAFLD can remain in primary care or endocrinology, where they are best managed. Lifestyle intervention is the cornerstone in the management of MAFLD. The panel provided a consensus on the use of statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, pioglitazone, vitamin E, and metformin, as well as recommendations on bariatric surgery, screening for gastroesophageal varices and hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation in MAFLD patients. Increasing the awareness and knowledge of the various stakeholders on MAFLD and incorporating MAFLD into existing noncommunicable disease-related programs and activities are important steps to tackle the disease. These consensus statements will serve as a guide on MAFLD for clinicians and other stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wah‐Kheong Chan
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Soek‐Siam Tan
- Department of HepatologySelayang HospitalBatu CavesSelangorMalaysia
| | | | - Yeong‐Yeh Lee
- School of Medical SciencesUniversiti Sains MalaysiaKota BharuKelantanMalaysia
| | - Hoi‐Poh Tee
- KPJ Pahang Specialist CentreKuantanPahangMalaysia
| | - Sanjiv Mahadeva
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Khean‐Lee Goh
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Anis Safura Ramli
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of MedicineUniversiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang CampusBatu CavesSelangorMalaysia
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Research on Atherosclerosis and CVD PreventionUniversiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh CampusSungai BulohSelangorMalaysia
| | - Feisul Mustapha
- Disease Control DivisionMinistry of Health, MalaysiaPutrajayaMalaysia
| | - Nik Ritza Kosai
- Upper Gastrointestinal, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Unit, Department of SurgeryUniversiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Raja Affendi Raja Ali
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of MedicineUniversiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaKuala LumpurMalaysia
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7
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Tamaki N, Ajmera V, Loomba R. Non-invasive methods for imaging hepatic steatosis and their clinical importance in NAFLD. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:55-66. [PMID: 34815553 PMCID: PMC9012520 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00584-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic steatosis is a key histological feature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The non-invasive quantification of liver fat is now possible due to advances in imaging modalities. Emerging data suggest that high levels of liver fat and its temporal change, as measured by quantitative non-invasive methods, might be associated with NAFLD progression. Ultrasound-based modalities have moderate diagnostic accuracy for liver fat content and are suitable for screening. However, of the non-invasive imaging modalities, MRI-derived proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) has the highest diagnostic accuracy and is used for trial enrolment and to evaluate therapeutic effects in early-phase clinical trials in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In patients with NAFLD without advanced fibrosis, high levels of liver fat are associated with rapid disease progression. Furthermore, changes on MRI-PDFF (≥30% decline relative to baseline) are associated with NAFLD activity score improvement and fibrosis regression. However, an inverse association exists between liver fat and complications of cirrhosis. Liver fat decreases as liver fibrosis progresses towards cirrhosis, and the clinical importance of quantitative measurements of liver fat differs by NAFLD status. As such, patients with NAFLD should be stratified by fibrosis severity to investigate the utility of quantitative measurements of liver fat for assessing NAFLD progression and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuharu Tamaki
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Veeral Ajmera
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Lesmana CRA, Paramitha MS, Hasan I, Sulaiman AS, Gani RA. Portal Hypertension in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Era of Non-invasive Assessment. EUROPEAN MEDICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.33590/emj/21-00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the emerging global health problems due to an increase of burden worldwide. It has been known that NAFLD is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome. The progression of NAFLD is a complex and multifactorial mechanism. Portal hypertension is still the main key in liver disease progression management. In NAFLD, portal hypertension might occur in the non-cirrhotic condition. Hepatic vein pressure gradient measurement has been considered as the gold standard for portal pressure assessment; however, due to its invasiveness and the need for a high-expertise centre, it is considered a non-practical measurement tool in clinical practice. Many other non-invasive parameters have been developed to replace the invasive measurement; however, there are still some limitations with regard to the technical issue, patient’s condition, and its accuracy in the different stages of the disease. Therefore, the authors review portal hypertension related to the clinical course of NAFLD, and the development of portal pressure evaluation in patients with NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosmas Rinaldi Adithya Lesmana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary Division, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; Digestive Disease & GI Oncology Center, Medistra Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Maria Satya Paramitha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary Division, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Irsan Hasan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary Division, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Andri Sanityoso Sulaiman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary Division, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
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MUW researcher of the month. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2021; 133:994-995. [PMID: 34524539 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-021-01951-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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10
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Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) form the wall of the hepatic sinusoids. Unlike other capillaries, they lack an organized basement membrane and have cytoplasm that is penetrated by open fenestrae, making the hepatic microvascular endothelium discontinuous. LSECs have essential roles in the maintenance of hepatic homeostasis, including regulation of the vascular tone, inflammation and thrombosis, and they are essential for control of the hepatic immune response. On a background of acute or chronic liver injury, LSECs modify their phenotype and negatively affect neighbouring cells and liver disease pathophysiology. This Review describes the main functions and phenotypic dysregulations of LSECs in liver diseases, specifically in the context of acute injury (ischaemia-reperfusion injury, drug-induced liver injury and bacterial and viral infection), chronic liver disease (metabolism-associated liver disease, alcoholic steatohepatitis and chronic hepatotoxic injury) and hepatocellular carcinoma, and provides a comprehensive update of the role of LSECs as therapeutic targets for liver disease. Finally, we discuss the open questions in the field of LSEC pathobiology and future avenues of research.
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Frankova S, Lunova M, Gottfriedova H, Senkerikova R, Neroldova M, Kovac J, Kieslichova E, Lanska V, Urbanek P, Spicak J, Jirsa M, Sperl J. Liver stiffness measured by two-dimensional shear-wave elastography predicts hepatic vein pressure gradient at high values in liver transplant candidates with advanced liver cirrhosis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244934. [PMID: 33411729 PMCID: PMC7790429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver stiffness is a reliable non-invasive predictor of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) above 10 mm Hg. However, it failed to predict higher thresholds of HVPG. Our aim was to investigate whether liver stiffness and selected previously published non-invasive blood biomarkers could predict higher HVPG thresholds in liver transplant candidates without ongoing alcohol use. One hundred and nine liver transplant candidates with liver cirrhosis of various aetiologies underwent direct HVPG measurement, liver stiffness measurement by 2D shear-wave elastography (Aixplorer Multiwave, Supersonic Imagine, France) and assessment of blood HVPG biomarkers (osteopontin, VCAM-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ra/IL-1F3 and ELF score). The correlation between liver stiffness and HVPG was linear up to 30 mm Hg of HVPG (r = 0.765, p < 0.0001). The regression lines had similar slopes for HVPG values below and above 16 mm Hg (p > 0.05) and the correlation in patients with HVPG <16 mm Hg (r = 0.456, p = 0.01) was similar to patients with HVPG ≥ 16 mm Hg (r = 0.499, p < 0.0001). The correlation was similar in the subgroup patients with alcoholic (r = 0.718, p < 0.0001), NASH (r = 0.740, p = 0.008), cryptogenic (r = 0.648, p = 0,0377), cholestatic and autoimmune (r = 0.706, p < 0.0001) and viral cirrhosis (r = 0.756, p < 0.0001). Liver stiffness distinguished patients with HVPG above 16, and 20 mm Hg with AUROCs 0.90243, and 0.86824, sensitivity 0.7656, and 0.7027, and specificity 0.9333, and 0.8750. All studied blood biomarkers correlated better with liver stiffness than with HVPG and their AUROCs did not exceed 0.8 at both HVPG thresholds. Therefore, a composite predictor superior to liver stiffness could not be established. We conclude that liver stiffness is a clinically reliable predictor of higher HVPG thresholds in non-drinking subjects with advanced liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sona Frankova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Transplant Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mariia Lunova
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Halima Gottfriedova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Transplant Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Senkerikova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Transplant Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Neroldova
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Kovac
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kieslichova
- Anaesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care Department, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vera Lanska
- Department of Biostatistics, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Urbanek
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Central Military Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Julius Spicak
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Transplant Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Jirsa
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Sperl
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Transplant Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
- Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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12
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Ryou M, Stylopoulos N, Baffy G. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and portal hypertension. EXPLORATION OF MEDICINE 2020; 1:149-169. [PMID: 32685936 DOI: 10.37349/emed.2020.00011] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a substantial and growing problem worldwide and has become the second most common indication for liver transplantation as it may progress to cirrhosis and develop complications from portal hypertension primarily caused by advanced fibrosis and erratic tissue remodeling. However, elevated portal venous pressure has also been detected in experimental models of fatty liver and in human NAFLD when fibrosis is far less advanced and cirrhosis is absent. Early increases in intrahepatic vascular resistance may contribute to the progression of liver disease. Specific pathophenotypes linked to the development of portal hypertension in NAFLD include hepatocellular lipid accumulation and ballooning injury, capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, enhanced contractility of hepatic stellate cells, activation of Kupffer cells and pro-inflammatory pathways, adhesion and entrapment of recruited leukocytes, microthrombosis, angiogenesis and perisinusoidal fibrosis. These pathological events are amplified in NAFLD by concomitant visceral obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and dysbiosis, promoting aberrant interactions with adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and gut microbiota. Measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient by retrograde insertion of a balloon-tipped central vein catheter is the current reference method for predicting outcomes of cirrhosis associated with clinically significant portal hypertension and guiding interventions. This invasive technique is rarely considered in the absence of cirrhosis where currently available clinical, imaging and laboratory correlates of portal hypertension may not reflect early changes in liver hemodynamics. Availability of less invasive but sufficiently sensitive methods for the assessment of portal venous pressure in NAFLD remains therefore an unmet need. Recent efforts to develop new biomarkers and endoscopy-based approaches such as endoscopic ultrasound-guided measurement of portal pressure gradient may help achieve this goal. In addition, cellular and molecular targets are being identified to guide emerging therapies in the prevention and management of portal hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Ryou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nicholas Stylopoulos
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA
| | - Gyorgy Baffy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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