Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · May 2014
Serum immunoglobulin levels predict fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A third of the population are estimated to have NAFLD of varying severity. Serum immunoglobulins are frequently elevated in patients with chronic liver disease, but little is known about serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with NAFLD. Aim of this study was to evaluate serum immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM) in a large cohort of patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and determine if immunoglobulin levels are associated with clinical or histological features. ⋯ The serum IgA level was frequently elevated in patients with NAFLD and was an independent predictor of advanced fibrosis.
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Journal of hepatology · May 2014
Development of new fatty liver, or resolution of existing fatty liver, over five years of follow-up, and risk of incident hypertension.
Approximately 50% of hypertensive patients have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but whether change in fatty liver status over time modifies risk of developing hypertension is uncertain. Our aim was to determine whether a change in fatty liver status (either development of new fatty liver, or resolution of existing fatty liver) over five years modified risk of incident hypertension at five year follow-up. ⋯ Development of incident fatty liver is associated with increased risk of hypertension.
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Journal of hepatology · Apr 2014
ReviewEthical considerations regarding early liver transplantation in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis not responding to medical therapy.
A recent study proposed that liver transplantation may represent life-saving treatment in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis not responding to medical therapy. In this pilot experience, stringent patient selection resulted in major improvement of short-term survival with low rates of post-transplant alcohol relapse. In the context of organ shortage, which imposes a need for strict selection of transplant candidates, these results raise major ethical questions. ⋯ In contrast, ethical principles recommend active treatment of patients, without discrimination, according to the best scientific knowledge. At this stage, we propose that there are no major ethical barriers for further evaluation of this new therapeutic option. The next steps should include transparent communication with the public and further studies to reproduce these results and identify the selection criteria that provide the best long-term outcomes.
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Journal of hepatology · Apr 2014
HOPE for human liver grafts obtained from donors after cardiac death.
Due to ethical rules in most countries, long ischemia times are unavoidable prior to organ procurement of donors without a heartbeat, which can cause early graft failure after liver transplantation or late biliary strictures. Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion, used prior to graft implantation, may rescue these high risk organs. ⋯ This is the first report on cold machine perfusion of human liver grafts obtained after cardiac arrest and subsequent transplantation. Application of HOPE appears well tolerated, easy-to-use, and protective against early and later injuries.
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Journal of hepatology · Apr 2014
Dietary glycotoxins exacerbate progression of experimental fatty liver disease.
Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) levels are high in western diets and contribute to tissue injury via activation of RAGE (receptor for AGEs) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we determined if high dietary AGE intake worsens progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). ⋯ In the MCD model of NAFLD, high dietary AGEs increases hepatic AGE content and exacerbates liver injury, inflammation, and liver fibrosis via oxidative stress and RAGE dependent profibrotic effects of AGEs on activated HSCs. This suggests that pharmacological and dietary strategies targeting the AGE/RAGE pathway could slow the progression of NAFLD.