Neurological affection and serum neurofilament light chain in wild type transthyretin amyloidosis

In contrast to inherited transthyretin amyloidosis (A-ATTRv), neuropathy is not a classic leading symptom of wild type transthyretin amyloidosis (A-ATTRwt). However, neurological symptoms are increasingly relevant in A-ATTRwt as well. To better understand the role of neurological symptoms in A-ATTRwt, A-ATTRwt patients were prospectively characterized at Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB) between 2018 and 2023 using detailed neurological examination, quality of life questionnaires, and analysis of age- and BMI-adapted serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels. 16 out of 73 (21.9%) patients presented with a severe neuropathy which we defined by a Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) of 20 or more. In this group, quality of life was reduced, peripheral neuropathy was more severe, and spinal stenosis and joint replacements were frequent. Age- and BMI matched serum NFL levels were markedly elevated in patients with a NIS ≥ 20. We therefore conclude that highly abnormal values in neuropathy scores such as the NIS occur in A-ATTRwt, and have an important impact on quality of life. Both peripheral neuropathy and spinal canal stenosis are likely contributors. Serum NFL may serve as a biomarker for neurological affection in patients with A-ATTRwt. It will be important to consider neurological aspects of A-ATTRwt for diagnosis, clinical follow-up, and future treatment development.

Predictive Potential of Biomarkers of Intestinal Barrier Function for Therapeutic Management with Teduglutide in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The human intestinal tract reacts to extensive resection with spontaneous intestinal adaptation. We analyzed whether gene expression analyses or intestinal permeability (IP) testing could provide biomarkers to describe regulation mechanisms in the intestinal barrier in short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients during adaptive response or treatment with the glucagon-like peptide-2 analog teduglutide.

METHODS

Relevant regions of the GLP-2 receptor gene were sequenced. Gene expression analyses and immunohistochemistry were performed from mucosal biopsies. IP was assessed using a carbohydrate oral ingestion test.

RESULTS

The study includes 59 SBS patients and 19 controls. Increases in gene expression with teduglutide were received for sucrase-isomaltase, sodium/glucose cotransporter 1, and calcium/calmodulin serine protein kinase. Mannitol recovery was decreased in SBS but elevated with teduglutide (Δ 40%), showed a positive correlation with remnant small bowel and an inverse correlation with parenteral support.

CONCLUSIONS

Biomarkers predicting clinical and functional features in human SBS are very limited. Altered specific gene expression was shown for genes involved in nutrient transport but not for genes controlling tight junctions. However, mannitol recovery proved useful in describing the absorptive capacity of the gut during adaptation and treatment with teduglutide.

Quality of Life in Teduglutide-Treated Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome Intestinal Failure-A Nested Matched Pair Real-World Study

BACKGROUND

Quality of life (QoL) data of chronic intestinal failure (cIF) patients treated with the GLP-2 analogue teduglutide are scarce. This study aims to analyze QoL changes over time in teduglutide-treated patients and compare the results to a matched non-treated cIF control group in a real-world setting.

METHODS

QoL data (SF-36 and SBS-QoL^TM) were obtained from adult cIF patients being treated with teduglutide and compared to previously collected QoL data from a PNLiver trial (DRKS00010993), during which patients had been therapy naive. The dataset was then extended by a pairwise matched control group (non-teduglutide-treated PNLiver trial patients) and follow-up data from this group were collected accordingly.

RESULTS

Median teduglutide treatment duration and the follow-up period of controls were both 4.3 years. SBS-QoL^TM subscales and the SBS-QoL^TM sum score showed significant improvements over time in teduglutide-treated patients, as well as for the SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores (all p < 0.02), while non-treated patients showed no significant changes in any of the mentioned scores. Significant differences of QoL changes between treated and non-treated patients were seen for both SF-36 summary scores (p = 0.031 and 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

We herein demonstrate for the first time that QoL significantly improved during teduglutide treatment in SBS-cIF patients in a real-world setting compared to individually matched non-treated SBS-cIF patients, indicating relevant clinical benefits.

Impact of intravenous fish oil on omega-3 fatty acids and their derived lipid metabolites in patients with parenteral nutrition

BACKGROUND

Long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) can lead to intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were shown to prevent IFALD. EPA-derived and DHA-derived oxylipins could contribute to this protective effect.

METHODS

We analyzed the effect of parenteral fish oil on oxylipins in patients with chronic intestinal failure receiving PN (n = 8). Patients first received no fish oil for 8 weeks and then switched to PN with 25% of fat as fish oil for another 8 weeks. Fatty acid profiles of red blood cells, PUFA-derived oxylipins generated by cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase (LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) pathways, inflammatory markers, and liver function were assessed before and during fish-oil PN.

RESULTS

EPA plus DHA in erythrocytes (the Omega-3 Index) was high with a median of 11.96% at baseline and decreased to 9.57% without fish oil in PN. Addition of fish oil in PN increased the median Omega-3-Index to 12.75%. EPA-derived and DHA-derived CYP-dependent and LOX-dependent metabolites increased significantly with fish oil in PN, with less pronounced changes in arachidonic acid and its oxylipins. There were no significant changes of inflammation and liver function parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that fish oil-containing PN leads to primarily CYP- and LOX-dependent n-3 PUFA-derived inflammation-dampening oxylipins arising from EPA and DHA. Within this short (16-week) study, there were no significant changes in inflammation and clinical readout parameters.

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Prevalence in Adult Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome - A German Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Not all patients suffer from a severe course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, demanding a definition of groups at risk. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) has been assumed to be a risk factor, due to the complexity of disease, the need for interdisciplinary care and frequent contact with caretakers. We aimed to establish data on the course of infection and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in SBS patients in Germany.

METHODS

From January 2021 until January 2022 a total of 119 patients from three different tertiary care centers with SBS were included. All patients received an antibody test against the nucleocapsid (N) antigen and were asked to fill out a questionnaire, which included frequency of contact with medical personnel, risk behavior and worries.

RESULTS

67% of SBS patients received parenteral nutrition with a median of 6 days per week. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 7.6% (n=9). Seven patients with positive antibodies had COVID-19 with a mild course. None of the patients were hospitalized or needed further treatment. There was no difference in willingness to take risks in SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive and negative patients (p=0.61). Patients were predominantly worried about the economy (61%) and transmitting COVID-19 (52%), less frequent (26%) about receiving insufficient medical treatment.

CONCLUSION

These are the first clinical results concerning SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and COVID-19 disease in patients with SBS. The seropositivity is comparable to national data, which we attribute to increased risk awareness and avoidance. Further studies are warranted to investigate effects of COVID-19 infection in SBS patients.

CLINICAL RELEVANCY STATEMENT

Patients with short bowel syndrome are proposed to be a group at high-risk for a severe course of COVID-19. This multicenter cross-sectional study analyzes the prevalence of antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) antigen in patients with short bowel syndrome, their risk behavior and frequency of contact with medical personnel. The overall SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in short bowel syndrome patient was comparable to national data, possibly attributed to increased risk awareness and avoidance. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Familial Oculo-Leptomeningeal Transthyretin Amyloidosis Caused by Leu55Arg Mutation

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis) is a multisystemic disease usually presenting in a mixed neurological and cardiological phenotype. We present a case of hATTR amyloidosis associated with Leu55Arg mutation causing a form of familial oculo-leptomeningeal amyloidosis. Two brothers and their mother presented with severe autonomic neuropathy, loss of visual acuity and lepto-meningeal involvement. One patient suffered subarachnoid hemorrhage as a possible complication of cerebral involvement. The patients suffered from treatment-refractory weight loss and recurring vitreous opacities. RNA interference-based treatment has led to stabilization of autonomic and peripheral neuropathy but has had no effect on ocular symptoms.

De Novo Development of Distal Jejunal and Duodenal Adenomas After 41 Months of Teduglutide Treatment in a Patient With Short-Bowel Syndrome: A Case Report

The glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analogue teduglutide is a medical treatment option for patients with short-bowel syndrome-associated chronic intestinal failure. Because studies in mice have shown that GLP-2 analogues may promote the growth of colonic neoplasms, surveillance colonoscopies before and during teduglutide therapy were recommended. The occurrence of small-intestinal neoplasms has not been reported so far, except for a recent report about de novo development of hamartomatous duodenal polyps. We report a case of de novo development of small-intestinal premalignant adenomatous polyps in both bulbar duodenum and distal jejunum in a patient treated with teduglutide for 41 months. Therefore, additional endoscopic surveillance of the upper gastrointestinal tract may be advised during teduglutide therapy for early detection and removal of potential small-bowel adenomas.

Future liver remnant function as a predictor of postoperative morbidity following liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma - A risk factor analysis

BACKGROUND

Advances in anaesthesia and surgical technique have considerably reduced mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing liver resection. However, extended resections in patients with liver cirrhosis still represent a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of volume/function analysis for the prediction of morbidity in HCC patients following liver resection.

METHODS

Between 2001 and 2014, a total of 261 patients who underwent open hepatectomy for HCC were enrolled in this study. Future liver remnant volume (FLRV) and future liver remnant function (FLRF) based on LiMAx testing were obtained retrospectively. Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors for postoperative ascites, post-hepatectomy haemorrhage (PHH), and wound healing disorders (WHD) within the total cohort and in a subgroup of cirrhotic patients.

RESULTS

The most commonly observed complication was ascites (57.1%), followed by liver failure (25.3%), PHH (19.5%), and WHD (19.2%). FLRF was a major predictor of postoperative ascites (AUC 0.776; OR 0.987, p = 0.001), PHH (AUC 0.717; OR 0.984, p = 0.001), and WHD (AUC 0.660; OR 0.994, p = 0.032) in total cohort. Multivariable analysis of the cirrhosis subgroup showed FLRF to be an independent predictor of ascites (AUC 0.814; OR 0.989, p = 0.021), PHH (AUC 0.677; OR 0.991, p = 0.040), and WHD (AUC 0.615; OR 0.989, p = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

FLRF is a major predictor of postoperative ascites, haemorrhage, and wound healing disorders in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients whereas FLRV failed to show significant correlations. Preoperative calculation of FLRF may augment surgical decision-making in high-risk patients and thereby improve perioperative outcome.

The predictive value of future liver remnant function after liver resection for HCC in noncirrhotic and cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND

Surgical procedures in patients with underlying liver disease are still burdened by a high rate of postoperative morbidity, especially posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), ranging from 1.2 to 33.8%. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of volume/function analysis for the prediction of hepatectomy-related morbidity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

Clinicopathological data were analysed in 261 patients who underwent liver resection for HCC between 2001 and 2014. Future liver remnant volume (FLRV) and future liver remnant function (FLRF) based on LiMAx test were obtained retrospectively. A subgroup analysis for high-risk patients with impaired liver function was conducted. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for major complications, defined by Dindo ≥ IIIb and PHLF grade ≥ B.

RESULTS

In the total cohort, FLRF was independently associated with major complications. FLRV, resected liver volume, and FLRF were independent risk factors for PHLF. In a subgroup analysis of high-risk patients, FLRF was identified as the only independent risk factor for major complications and PHLF development.

DISCUSSION

These results suggest the superior value of FLRF to FLRV in predicting postoperative complications as well as PHLF in patients with chronic liver disease.

Advanced liver function assessment in patients with intestinal failure on long-term parenteral nutrition

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD) is one of the leading complications and causes of deaths in adult patients receiving home parenteral nutrition for chronic intestinal failure (CIF). Early diagnosis of IFALD is key to alleviate the progression of hepatic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of noninvasive liver function tests.

METHODS

90 adult patients with CIF receiving long-term home parenteral nutrition were included in a prospective cross-sectional study at our department between 2014 and 2017. All participants underwent dynamic liver function assessment (maximum liver function capacity [LiMAx] test, indocyanine green [ICG] test), transient elastography (FibroScan), blood tests and comprehensive nutritional status assessment. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed to identify predictors of liver function.

RESULTS

LiMAx, ICG test, and FibroScan highly correlated with standard liver function tests. Multivariable analysis identified intact ileum (B = 520.895; p = 0.010), digestive anatomy type 3 (B = 75.612; p = 0.025), citrulline level (B = 3.428; p = 0.040), parenteral olive oil intake (B = -0.570; p = 0.043), and oral intake (B = 182.227; p = 0.040) as independent risk factors affecting liver function determined by LiMAx test. ICG test and FibroScan showed no correlation with gastrointestinal and nutrition-related parameters.

CONCLUSION

The LiMAx test is significantly associated with widely accepted risk factors for IFALD by multivariable analysis, whereas ICG test and FibroScan failed to show significant correlations. Liver function assessment by LiMAx test may therefore have the potential to detect alterations in liver function and identify patients at risk for the development of IFALD. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the impact of liver function determined by LiMAx test on long-term outcome in patients with CIF.

Functional considerations in ALPPS - consequences for clinical management

BACKGROUND

Since perioperative morbidity and mortality in ALPPS are extraordinarily high, a deeper understanding of actual liver function during the procedure is essential to make the approach safer.

METHODS

Data from 17 patients who underwent ALLPS were analyzed regarding their course of liver function capacity assessed with the LiMAx test and compared to an equal-sized matched cohort of patients that underwent PVE.

RESULTS

A comparison of LiMAx prior to and following ALPPS Step I (330 [258-385] vs. 197 [144-224] μg/kg/h, p = 0.003) and prior to and following PVE (386 [330-519] vs. 378 [336-455] μg/kg/h, p = 0.534) demonstrated a significant drop in function after ALLPS. A volume/function analysis predicting FLR function regarding step II revealed an excellent correlation of predicted versus assessed postoperative liver function with a mean relative difference of 9 (-6 to 18)% and an ICC of 0.905 (123 [74-138] vs. 107 [77-175] μg/kg/h, p = 0.310).

CONCLUSIONS

We provide evidence that liver function capacity is significantly impaired due to ALPPS step I. This is particularly notable when compared to PVE. Our data also shows that the portal ligated liver lobe still continues to contribute significantly to overall liver function. Therefore, FLR function after step II is still predictable by volume/function analysis.