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Ortiz-López N, Madrid AM, Aleman L, Zazueta A, Smok G, Valenzuela-Pérez L, Poniachik J, Beltrán CJ. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in obese patients with biopsy-confirmed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a cross-sectional study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1376148. [PMID: 38854668 PMCID: PMC11157043 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1376148] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/aims The metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and obesity are frequent comorbidities with a high prevalence worldwide. Their pathogenesis are multifactorial, including intestinal dysbiosis. The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in MASLD progression in obese patients remains unknown. We aimed to determine the association between SIBO and the severity of MASLD in obese patients. Methods An observational and cross-sectional study was conducted in obese patients, diagnosed with or without MASLD by liver biopsy. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver (MASL), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis without fibrosis (MASH-NF), MASH with fibrosis (MASH-F), or without MASLD (control subjects, CS) were identified by presence of steatosis, portal and lobular inflammation, and fibrosis. SIBO was determined by standardized lactulose breath tests. Results A total of 59 patients with MASLD, 16 with MASL, 20 with MASH-NF, 23 with MASH-F, and 14 CS were recruited. Higher percentages of SIBO were observed in MASLD patients (44.2%) compared to CS (14.2%; p = 0.0363). Interestingly, MASH-F showed higher percentages of SIBO (65.2%) in comparison to non-fibrotic MASLD (33.3%; p = 0.0165). The presence of SIBO was not correlated with the level of hepatic steatosis in MASLD patients. Conclusions A positive correlation between MASLD and SIBO in obese patients was principally explained by the presence of liver fibrosis. Our findings suggest a pathogenic role of intestinal dysbiosis in the progression of MASLD. Future research will elucidate the underlying mechanisms of SIBO in MASLD advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Ortiz-López
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory of Inmunogatroenterology, Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana María Madrid
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Larissa Aleman
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory of Inmunogatroenterology, Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Gladys Smok
- Department of Pathologist Anatomy, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Jaime Poniachik
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Caroll J. Beltrán
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory of Inmunogatroenterology, Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Roszkowska P, Klimczak E, Ostrycharz E, Rączka A, Wojciechowska-Koszko I, Dybus A, Cheng YH, Yu YH, Mazgaj S, Hukowska-Szematowicz B. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Twelve Groups of Related Diseases-Current State of Knowledge. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1030. [PMID: 38790992 PMCID: PMC11117733 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051030] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiota creates a complex microbial ecosystem, characterized by its high population density, wide diversity, and complex interactions. Any imbalance of the intestinal microbiome, whether qualitative or quantitative, may have serious consequences for human health, including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO is defined as an increase in the number of bacteria (103-105 CFU/mL), an alteration in the bacterial composition, or both in the small intestine. The PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Medline databases were searched for studies on SIBO and related diseases. These diseases were divided into 12 groups: (1) gastrointestinal disorders; (2) autoimmune disease; (3) cardiovascular system disease; (4) metabolic disease; (5) endocrine disorders; (6) nephrological disorders; (7) dermatological diseases; (8) neurological diseases (9); developmental disorders; (10) mental disorders; (11) genetic diseases; and (12) gastrointestinal cancer. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to present the current state of knowledge on the relationships between SIBO and these 12 disease groups, taking into account risk factors and the causal context. This review fills the evidence gap on SIBO and presents a biological-medical approach to the problem, clearly showing the groups and diseases having a proven relationship with SIBO, as well as indicating groups within which research should continue to be expanded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Roszkowska
- Department of Diagnostic Immunology, Pomeranian Medical University, st. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (P.R.); (I.W.-K.)
| | - Emilia Klimczak
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, st. Z. Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland; (E.K.); (E.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Ewa Ostrycharz
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, st. Z. Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland; (E.K.); (E.O.); (S.M.)
- Doctoral School, University of Szczecin, st. A. Mickiewicz 16, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center, University of Szczecin, st. Wąska 13, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Rączka
- Department of Genetics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, st. Aleja Piastów 45, 70-311 Szczecin, Poland; (A.R.); (A.D.)
| | - Iwona Wojciechowska-Koszko
- Department of Diagnostic Immunology, Pomeranian Medical University, st. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (P.R.); (I.W.-K.)
| | - Andrzej Dybus
- Department of Genetics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, st. Aleja Piastów 45, 70-311 Szczecin, Poland; (A.R.); (A.D.)
| | - Yeong-Hsiang Cheng
- Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, National Ilan University, Yilan 26047, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-H.Y.)
| | - Yu-Hsiang Yu
- Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, National Ilan University, Yilan 26047, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (Y.-H.Y.)
| | - Szymon Mazgaj
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, st. Z. Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland; (E.K.); (E.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Beata Hukowska-Szematowicz
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, st. Z. Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland; (E.K.); (E.O.); (S.M.)
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Center, University of Szczecin, st. Wąska 13, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
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Soppert J, Brandt EF, Heussen NM, Barzakova E, Blank LM, Kuepfer L, Hornef MW, Trebicka J, Jankowski J, Berres ML, Noels H. Blood Endotoxin Levels as Biomarker of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:2746-2758. [PMID: 36470528 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Growing evidence supports a role of gut-derived metabolites in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the relation of endotoxin levels with gut permeability and NAFLD stage remains unclear. This systematic review with meta-analysis aims to provide further insights. METHODS PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published until January 2022 assessing blood endotoxins in patients with NAFLD. Meta-analyses and univariate/multivariate meta-regression, as well as correlation analyses, were performed for endotoxin values and potential relationships to disease stage, age, sex, parameters of systemic inflammation, and metabolic syndrome, as well as liver function and histology. RESULTS Forty-three studies were included, of which 34 were used for meta-analyses. Blood endotoxin levels were higher in patients with simple steatosis vs liver-healthy controls (standardized mean difference, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-1.11) as well as in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis vs patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver/non-nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (standardized mean difference, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-1.35; P = .0078). Consistently, higher endotoxin levels were observed in patients with more advanced histopathological gradings of liver steatosis and fibrosis. An increase of blood endotoxin levels was partially attributed to a body mass index rise in patients with NAFLD compared with controls. Nevertheless, significant increases of blood endotoxin levels in NAFLD retained after compensation for differences in body mass index, metabolic condition, or liver enzymes. Increases in blood endotoxin levels were associated with increases in C-reactive protein concentrations, and in most cases, paralleled a rise in markers for intestinal permeability. CONCLUSION Our results support blood endotoxin levels as relevant diagnostic biomarker for NAFLD, both for disease detection as well as staging during disease progression, and might serve as surrogate marker of enhanced intestinal permeability in NAFLD. Registration number in Prospero: CRD42022311166.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefin Soppert
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Elisa Fabiana Brandt
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nicole Maria Heussen
- Department of Medical Statistics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Center of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Medical School, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emona Barzakova
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars Mathias Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars Kuepfer
- Institute for Systems Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Joachim Jankowski
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marie-Luise Berres
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), Site Aachen, Germany
| | - Heidi Noels
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Gkolfakis P, Tziatzios G, Leite G, Papanikolaou IS, Xirouchakis E, Panayiotides IG, Karageorgos A, Millan MJ, Mathur R, Weitsman S, Dimitriadis GD, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Pimentel M, Triantafyllou K. Prevalence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study. Microorganisms 2023; 11:723. [PMID: 36985296 PMCID: PMC10057935 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030723] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial, wide-spectrum liver disorder. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is characterized by an increase in the number and/or type of colonic bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract. SIBO, through energy salvage and induction of inflammation, may be a pathophysiological factor for NAFLD development and progression. AIM/METHODS Consecutive patients with histological, biochemical, or radiological diagnosis of any stage of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver [NAFL], non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], cirrhosis) underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Duodenal fluid (2cc) was aspirated from the 3rd-4th part of duodenum into sterile containers. SIBO was defined as ≥103 aerobic colony-forming units (CFU)/mL of duodenal aspirate and/or the presence of colonic-type bacteria. Patients without any liver disease undergoing gastroscopy due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) comprised the healthy control (HC) group. Concentrations (pg/mL) of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were also measured in the duodenal fluid. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the prevalence of SIBO in NAFLD patients, while the comparison of SIBO prevalence among NAFLD patients and healthy controls was a secondary endpoint. RESULTS We enrolled 125 patients (51 NAFL, 27 NASH, 17 cirrhosis, and 30 HC) aged 54 ± 11.9 years and with a weight of 88.3 ± 19.6 kg (NAFLD vs. HC 90.7 ± 19.1 vs. 80.8 ± 19.6 kg, p = 0.02). Overall, SIBO was diagnosed in 23/125 (18.4%) patients, with Gram-negative bacteria being the predominant species (19/23; 82.6%). SIBO prevalence was higher in the NAFLD cohort compared to HC (22/95; 23.2% vs. 1/30; 3.3%, p = 0.014). Patients with NASH had higher SIBO prevalence (6/27; 22.2%) compared to NAFL individuals (8/51; 15.7%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11). Patients with NASH-associated cirrhosis had a higher SIBO prevalence compared to patients with NAFL (8/17; 47.1% vs. 8/51; 15.7%, p = 0.02), while SIBO prevalence between patients with NASH-associated cirrhosis and NASH was not statistically different (8/17; 47.1% vs. 6/27; 22.2%, p = 0.11). Mean concentration of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 did not differ among the different groups. CONCLUSION The prevalence of SIBO is significantly higher in a cohort of patients with NAFLD compared to healthy controls. Moreover, SIBO is more prevalent in patients with NASH-associated cirrhosis compared to patients with NAFL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevas Gkolfakis
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Second Department of Internal Medicine-Propaedeutic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tziatzios
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Second Department of Internal Medicine-Propaedeutic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Gabriela Leite
- Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ioannis S Papanikolaou
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Second Department of Internal Medicine-Propaedeutic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Xirouchakis
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Athens Medical Palaio Faliron General Hospital, 17562 Palaio Faliron, Greece
| | - Ioannis G Panayiotides
- 2nd Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 124622 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Karageorgos
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Jesus Millan
- Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ruchi Mathur
- Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Stacy Weitsman
- Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - George D Dimitriadis
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Second Department of Internal Medicine-Propaedeutic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Mark Pimentel
- Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Konstantinos Triantafyllou
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Second Department of Internal Medicine-Propaedeutic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
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Gudan A, Jamioł-Milc D, Hawryłkowicz V, Skonieczna-Żydecka K, Stachowska E. The Prevalence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Liver Diseases: NAFLD, NASH, Fibrosis, Cirrhosis-A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14245261. [PMID: 36558421 PMCID: PMC9783356 DOI: 10.3390/nu14245261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO) is a pathological growth of the intestinal microbiota in the small intestine that causes clinical symptoms and can lead to digestive and absorption disorders. There is increasing evidence that people with NAFLD have a distinct gut microflora profile as well metabolome changes compared to people without NAFLD. Thorough analysis of observational and RCT studies in the current databases (EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, Cinahl, Clinical Trials) was conducted from 3 November 2021 to 21 June 2022. The following inclusion criteria were applied: confirmed NAFLD, NASH, LIVER FIBROSIS, CIRRHOSIS due to steatosis; diagnostic methods of liver diseases—biopsy, elastography, transabdominal ultrasound; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score; confirmed SIBO; diagnostic methods of SIBO−breath tests (hydrogen test; methane test and mix test; duodenal and jejunal aspiration before any type of intervention; adults above 18yo; number of participants ≥20; full articles. We excluded review articles, populations with HBV/HCV infection and alcohol etiology and interventions that may affect NAFLD or SIBO treatment. The quality of each study methodology was classified by means of the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool (RCT) and Newcastle—Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale adapted for cross-sectional, cohort and case-control studies. The random effects meta-analysis of outcomes for which ≥2 studies contributed data was conducted. The I2 index to measure heterogeneity and the χ2 test of homogeneity (statistically significant heterogeneity p < 0.05) were applied. For categorical outcome, the pooled event rate (effect size) was calculated. This systematic review was reported according to PRISMA reporting guidelines. We initially identified 6643 studies, from which 18 studies were included in final meta-analysis. The total number of patients was 1263. Accepted SIBO diagnostic methods were both available breath tests (n-total = 15) and aspirate culture (n-total = 3). We found that among patients with non-alcoholic liver diseases, the random overall event rate of SIBO was 0.350 (95% CI, 0.244−0.472), p = 0.017. The subgroup analysis regarding a type of diagnosis revealed that the lowest ER was among patients who developed simultaneously NAFLD, NASH and fibrosis: 0.197 (95% CI, 0.054−0.510) as compared to other annotated subgroups. The highest prevalence of SIBO was observed in the NASH subgroup: 0.411 (95% CI, 0.219−0.634). There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of SIBO in different subgroups (p = 0.854). Statistically significant heterogeneity between studies was estimated (I2 = 86.17%, p = 0.00). Egger’s test did not indicate a publication bias (df = 16, p = 0.885). A meta-regression using a random-effects model revealed that higher percentage of males in the population with liver diseases is a predisposing factor toward SIBO (Q = 4.11, df = 1, p = 0.0426 with coefficient = 0.0195, SE = 0.0096, Z = 2.03). We showed that the prevalence of SIBO in patients with chronic non-alcoholic liver diseases can be as high as 35%, and it increases with the percentage of men in the population. The prevalence of SIBO does not differ significantly depending on the type of chronic liver disease. Despite the high heterogeneity and moderate and low quality of included studies, our meta-analysis suggests the existence of a problem of SIBO in the population of patients with non-alcoholic liver diseases, and the presence of SIBO, in turn, determines the therapeutic treatment of such type of patients, which indicates the need for further research in this area. The study protocol was registered with the international Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022341473).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gudan
- Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Władysława Broniewskiego 24, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Dominika Jamioł-Milc
- Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Władysława Broniewskiego 24, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
- Correspondence: (D.J.-M.); (K.S.-Ż.); Tel.: +48-91-441-48-06 (D.J.-M. & K.S.-Ż.); Fax: +48-91-441-48-07 (D.J.-M. & K.S.-Ż.)
| | - Victoria Hawryłkowicz
- Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Władysława Broniewskiego 24, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Władysława Broniewskiego 24, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
- Correspondence: (D.J.-M.); (K.S.-Ż.); Tel.: +48-91-441-48-06 (D.J.-M. & K.S.-Ż.); Fax: +48-91-441-48-07 (D.J.-M. & K.S.-Ż.)
| | - Ewa Stachowska
- Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Władysława Broniewskiego 24, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
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Scarpellini E, Abenavoli L, Cassano V, Rinninella E, Sorge M, Capretti F, Rasetti C, Svegliati Baroni G, Luzza F, Santori P, Sciacqua A. The Apparent Asymmetrical Relationship Between Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth, Endotoxemia, and Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis in Cirrhotic and Non-Cirrhotic Patients: A Single-Center Pilot Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:872428. [PMID: 35559337 PMCID: PMC9090439 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.872428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Gut microbiota are a complex ecosystem harboring our intestine. They maintain human body equilibrium, while their derangement, namely, “dysbiosis“, has been associated with several gastrointestinal diseases, such as liver steatosis (NAFLD) and liver cirrhosis. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is an example of dysbiosis of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between SIBO and levels of endotoxemia and grade of liver steatosis (LS) and liver fibrosis (LF) in hepatologic patients. Materials and Methods Consecutive outpatients referred to our hepatology clinic were tested for SIBO by the lactulose breath test (LBT) and peripheral blood levels of endotoxemia; LS grading and LF were assessed by abdominal ultrasound and transient elastography, respectively. Results Fifty-two consecutive patients (17 with alcohol abuse (4.5 ± 0.8 alcohol units per day), 4 with HCV and 2 with HBV infection, 24 of metabolic origin, 2 of autoimmune origin, and 3 with cholangiopathies; mean age 54.7 ± 8.3 years, 31 F, BMI 24.1 ± 1.1 Kg/m2) and 14 healthy volunteers (HV) (mean age 50.1 ± 4.3 years, 9 F, BMI 23.3 ± 1.1 Kg/m2) were enrolled. SIBO prevalence was significantly higher in cirrhotic (LC) vs. non-cirrhotic (LNC) patients and vs. HV (all, p < 0.05), with a significant positive trend according to Child-Pugh status (all, p < 0.05). SIBO prevalence was not correlated with LS stages (all, p = NS). Consensually, endotoxin levels were significantly higher in LC vs. LNC and vs. HV (all, p < 0.05) and significantly correlated with LF in patients with LC, according to Child-Pugh status (all, p < 0.05). Conclusion This study shows that SIBO prevalence and relative endotoxin blood levels seem to be significantly associated with the grade of LF vs. LS in LC. SIBO is also present under pre-cirrhotic conditions, but its prevalence seems to correlate with liver disease irreversible derangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Scarpellini
- Hepatology and Internal Medicine Unit, “Madonna del Soccorso” General Hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
- T.A.R.G.I.D., Gasthuisberg University Hospital, KULeuven, Lueven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: E. Scarpellini
| | - L. Abenavoli
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - V. Cassano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University “Magna Græcia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - E. Rinninella
- Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Sorge
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit “Madonna del Soccorso” General Hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
| | - F. Capretti
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit “Madonna del Soccorso” General Hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
| | - C. Rasetti
- Hepatology and Internal Medicine Unit, “Madonna del Soccorso” General Hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
| | - G. Svegliati Baroni
- Gastroenterology Clinic, “Riuniti University Hospital”, Polytechnics University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - F. Luzza
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - P. Santori
- Hepatology and Internal Medicine Unit, “Madonna del Soccorso” General Hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
| | - A. Sciacqua
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University “Magna Græcia”, Catanzaro, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review will discuss recent studies showing that patients with chronic wasting diseases suffer from a variety of small intestinal impairments which might negatively impact the colonic microbiota and overall well-being. New insights will be addressed as well as novel approaches to assess intestinal function. RECENT FINDINGS Small intestinal dysfunction can enhance the amount and alter the composition of undigested food reaching the colon. As a result of reduced protein digestion and absorption, a large amount of undigested protein might reach the colon promoting the presence of pathogenic colonic bacteria and a switch from bacterial fiber fermentation to protein fermentation. While microbial metabolites of fiber fermentation, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), are mainly considered beneficial for overall health, metabolites of protein fermentation, i.e. ammonia, branched SCFAs, hydrogen sulfide, polyamines, phenols, and indoles, can exert beneficial or deleterious effects on overall health. Substantial advances have been made in the assessment of small intestinal dysfunction in chronic diseases, but studies investigating the connection to colonic microbial metabolism are needed. A promising new stable isotope approach can enable the measurement of metabolite production by the colonic microbiota. SUMMARY Several studies have been conducted to assess intestinal function in chronic diseases. Impairments in intestinal barrier function, sugar absorption, protein digestion, and absorption, as well as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth were observed and possibly might negatively impact colonic bacterial metabolism. We suggest that improving these perturbations will improve overall patient health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Kirschner
- Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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