European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
Liraglutide modulates morpho-functional and inflammatory gastrointestinal responses in rats.
Obesity impairs homeostatic control of energy and is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1, the target in the gastrointestinal tract for anti-obesity drugs such as Liraglutide, were not properly associated with inflammation markers. This study investigated the effects of Liraglutide on metabolic and gastrointestinal parameters in a rat model of obesity. ⋯ Liraglutide reduced fat accumulation, improved metabolic parameters and downregulated levels of inflammatory signalling in duodenal tissue. Liraglutide at high doses controlled obesity-related outcomes, and such effects seemed to be driven by its action on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract slowing gastric motility.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
ReviewPhysical exercise in kidney disease: A commonly undervalued treatment modality.
Physical inactivity has been identified as a risk factor for multiple disorders and a strong association exists between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a sedentary lifestyle. Even though physical activity is crucial in the development and progression of disease, the general focus of the current medical practice is the pharmacological perspective of diseases with inadequate emphasis on lifestyle intervention. ⋯ Physical exercise plays a crucial role in ameliorating inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular function, immune response and macromolecular metabolism, and contributes significantly to the quality of life for patients with CKD, irrespective of the treatment and stage. Its direct impact on kidney function remains uncertain. Further extensive, long-term trials to conclusively determine the effect of exercise on major clinical outcomes such as mortality and cardiovascular risk remain a research priority.
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Calprotectin is a calcium-binding-S100-protein synthetized mainly in neutrophils which has been demonstrated to be an accurate biomarker of the presence of these cells. Gut barrier dysfunction in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD), in addition to the lack of noninvasive tools for diagnosis and prognosis of cirrhosis decompensations, has raised interest in this biomarker. ⋯ Calprotectin is emerging as a promising biomarker in ACLD, particularly for the management of bacterial infections and alcohol-related liver disease. Further research with better study designs should help to determine the feasibility of calprotectin measurement in routine clinical practice.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
ReviewNovel 3D versus traditional transesophageal echocardiography techniques: Defining differences in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis.
Despite the availability of current antibiotic and surgical treatment options, infective endocarditis (IE) remains associated with a high mortality rate. Even though two-dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a major criteria in the diagnosis of IE, it is constrained by the single-plane orientation. Since three-dimensional (3D) TOE provides a comprehensive understanding of the cardiac architecture by allowing for a realistic visualization of the underlying structures in 3D space, it has attracted considerable interest in recent years. ⋯ 3D TOE might fill the gaps left by 2D TOE in the diagnosis of IE.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
ReviewThe association of testosterone with sarcopenia and frailty in chronic liver disease.
Testosterone is an important anabolic hormone responsible for maintaining body composition and muscle mass and circulates mostly albumin-bound, or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)-bound or free in the plasma. Of these fractions, the latter is bioactive and exerts the androgenic effects on male population. Liver cirrhosis, the advanced stage of any chronic liver disease characterized by permanent distortions to the hepatic architecture, disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to diminished levels of free testosterone and hypogonadism. ⋯ Low serum testosterone is strongly correlated with sarcopenia, frailty, higher rate of hepatic decompensation and mortality. Nonetheless, exogenous supplementation of testosterone did not ameliorate the liver-related outcomes and complications.