Limitations of liver biopsy and non-invasive diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Relationships among N,N-dimethylformamide exposure, CYP2E1 and TM6SF2 genes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the relationships among N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) exposure, cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2031920, rs3813867, rs6413432), transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) SNP rs58542926 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS

Baseline data were collected from participants who were then followed for 5 years in a prospective cohort study. The cohort initially consisted of 802 workers and ultimately included 660 people, all of whom underwent annual occupational health examinations from 2010 to 2015.

RESULTS

The above-threshold group (≥7.3 mg/m³ adjusted relative risk (RR)= 3.620, 95%CI 2.072-6.325) was significantly more likely to develop NAFLD than the below-threshold group (<7.3 mg/m³). The TM6SF2 SNP rs58542926 CT (adjusted RR=3.921, 95% CI 2.329-6.600, P = 0.000) and CT+TT (adjusted RR=4.385, 95% CI 2.639-7.287, P = 0.000) genotypes were risk factors for NAFLD, as compared with the TM6SF2 rs58542926 CC genotype. Each dose group (below-threshold group and above-threshold group) interacting with the genotype of TM6SF2 SNP rs58542926 had an adjusted RR from 7.764 (95% CI 3.272-18.420, P = 0.000) to 24.022 (95% CI 8.971-64.328, P = 0.000). The T allele of rs58542926 in the TM6SF2 gene may be a risk factor for susceptibility to DMF-induced NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

Polymorphisms of TM6SF2 SNP rs58542926 may play an important role in susceptibility to NAFLD after exposure to DMF.

Comparison of noninvasive screening tools for hepatic fibrosis, association with methotrexate cumulative dose, and risk factors in psoriasis patients

Methotrexate (MTX) is a first-line systemic psoriasis therapy with risk of liver fibrosis. Noninvasive tools for liver fibrosis screening are Fibroscan®, Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (APRI) index. To compare Fibroscan®, FIB-4, and APRI in detecting fibrosis, determine association of fibrosis with MTX cumulative dose, and explore risk factors for fibrosis. A case-control study involving psoriasis patients aged ≥18 years with MTX cumulative dose ≥1 g, with age and sex-matched MTX naïve psoriasis patients was performed. Noninvasive tools were used to assess liver fibrosis. Sixty-one patients on MTX and 54 controls participated. Fibroscan® detected fibrosis in 22 (36.1%) patients on MTX compared to 11 (19.6%) controls (p = 0.05). FIB-4 predicted fibrosis in 13 (21.3%) patients on MTX and in 10 (17.9%) controls (p = 0.64) while APRI diagnosed 7 (11.5%) versus 7 (12.5%), p = 0.65. No significant correlation between Fibroscan® assessed liver stiffness and MTX cumulative dose (p = 0.47). Independent risk factors for liver fibrosis were MTX use with raised alanine aminotransferase (OR = 68.56, 95% CI 8.26; 568.86, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR = 30.35, 95% CI 7.52; 122.42, p < 0.001), and raised BMI (obese patients OR = 8.26, 95% CI 1.73-39.43, p = 0.02; overweight patients OR = 6.29, 95% CI 1.28-30.99, p = 0.01). Liver fibrosis occurred in both MTX naïve and MTX-treated psoriasis patients. Fibroscan® detected higher prevalence of liver fibrosis compared to FIB-4 and APRI. Cumulative MTX does not correlate with fibrosis severity. Fibroscan® is recommended prior to MTX therapy and at regular intervals especially among patients with diabetes and increased BMI.

What Does the Future Hold for Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Diagnostic Strategies and Treatment Options in 2021 and Beyond?

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress to cirrhosis and its complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Given that the majority of patients with NASH are asymptomatic, developing screening strategies to identify those individuals at risk for progressive NASH remains a highly unmet need. Furthermore, noninvasive tests that accurately predict disease progression as part of the natural history of NASH or regression in response to treatment are urgently needed to decrease the reliance on repeat liver biopsies. To date, there are no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for NASH that can resolve steatohepatitis and lead to fibrosis regression. The lack of FDA-approved therapy has led to apathy in diagnosis and referral for specialty care. However, several therapeutic agents are rapidly progressing through the different phases of clinical trials with several already in phase 3 programs. In this review, we provide a summary of recent developments in NASH diagnostics and therapeutics that are likely to shape the future management of this underdiagnosed and undertreated disease.

Real-world Comorbidity Burden, Health Care Utilization, and Costs of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Patients With Advanced Liver Diseases

GOALS

This study evaluates the real-world comorbidity burden, health care resource utilization (HRU), and costs among nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) patients with advanced liver diseases [compensated cirrhosis (CC), decompensated cirrhosis (DCC), liver transplantation (LT), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)].

BACKGROUND

NAFLD/NASH is a leading cause of liver diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult NAFLD/NASH patients were identified retrospectively from MarketScan Commercial claims (2006-2016). Following initial NAFLD/NASH diagnosis, advanced liver diseases were identified using the first diagnosis as their index date. Mean annual all-cause HRU and costs (2016 USD) were reported. Adjusted costs were estimated through generalized linear models. Cumulative costs were illustrated for patient subsets with variable follow-up for each stage.

RESULTS

Within the database, 485,774 NAFLD/NASH patients met eligibility criteria. Of these, 93.4% (453,564) were NAFLD/NASH patients without advanced liver diseases, 1.6% (7665) with CC, 3.3% (15,833) with DCC, 0.1% (696) with LT, and 0.1% (428) with HCC. Comorbidity burden was high and increased as patients progressed through liver disease severity stages. Compared with NAFLD/NASH without advanced liver diseases (adjusted costs: $23,860), the annual cost of CC, DCC, LT, and HCC were 1.22, 5.64, 8.27, and 4.09 times higher [adjusted costs: $29,078, $134,448, $197,392, and $97,563 (P<0.0001)]. Inpatient admissions significantly drove increasing HRU.

CONCLUSION

Study findings suggest the need for early identification and effective management of NAFLD/NASH patients to minimize comorbidity burden, HRU, and costs in the privately insured US population.

Emerging artificial intelligence applications in liver magnetic resonance imaging

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are becoming increasingly more prevalent in modern society. The use of imaging techniques for early detection, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is crucial in reducing the impact of these diseases on healthcare systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been shown over the past decade to excel at image-based analysis tasks such as detection and segmentation. When applied to liver MRI, they have the potential to improve clinical decision making, and increase throughput by automating analyses. With Liver diseases becoming more prevalent in society, the need to implement these techniques to utilize liver MRI to its full potential, is paramount. In this review, we report on the current methods and applications of AI methods in liver MRI, with a focus on machine learning and deep learning methods. We assess four main themes of segmentation, classification, image synthesis and artefact detection, and their respective potential in liver MRI and the wider clinic. We provide a brief explanation of some of the algorithms used and explore the current challenges affecting the field. Though there are many hurdles to overcome in implementing AI methods in the clinic, we conclude that AI methods have the potential to positively aid healthcare professionals for years to come.

NAFLD mark: an accurate model based on microRNA-34 for diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

BACKGROUND

It remains essential for non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) patients, to develop a sensitive and specific diagnostic model. Data regarding the use of micro (mi)RNA-34 for NAFLD diagnosis are few. Routine clinical assessment, laboratory tests were done for Egyptian individuals (n = 314) were included (100 healthy individuals and 214 NAFLD patients). Quantification of miRNA-34 was done using real-time PCR. Extremely significant variables were entered into stepwise logistic regression. The diagnostic power of variables was estimated by the area under the ROC (AUC).

RESULTS

MiRNA-34 levels were higher in NAFLD patients than healthy individuals with a significant difference (P< 0.0001). The multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the NAFLD-associated variables (CRP, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), ALT had p< 0.0001 while mRNA-34 had (p=0.0004). The AUCs (CI) of candidate NAFLD markers were in the order of miRNA-34 0.72 (0.66-0.77) < ALT 0.73 (0.67-0.79) < BMI 0.81 (0.76-0.86) < cholesterol < 0.85 (0.79-0.90) < CRP 0.88 (0.84-0.92). We developed a novel index for discriminating patients with NAFLD named NAFLD Mark. AUC was jumped to 0.98 (0.93-0.99) when five markers were combined. The AUC of NAFLD mark for NAFLD detection was higher than the AUCs of seven common NAFLD indexes (0.44-0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

The NAFLD mark is a non-invasive and highly sensitive and specific model for NAFLD diagnosis.

Association between hepatic fat and subclinical vascular disease burden in the general population

OBJECTIVE

It is still controversial if increased hepatic fat independently contributes to cardiovascular risk. We aimed to assess the association between hepatic fat quantified by MRI and various subclinical vascular disease parameters.

DESIGN

We included two cross-sectional investigations embedded in two independent population-based studies (Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP): n=1341; Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA): n=386). The participants underwent a whole-body MRI examination. Hepatic fat content was quantified by proton-density fat fraction (PDFF). Aortic diameters in both studies and carotid plaque-related parameters in KORA were measured with MRI. In SHIP, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and plaque were assessed by ultrasound. We used (ordered) logistic or linear regression to assess associations between hepatic fat and subclinical vascular disease.

RESULTS

The prevalence of fatty liver disease (FLD) (PDFF >5.6%) was 35% in SHIP and 43% in KORA. In SHIP, hepatic fat was positively associated with ascending (β, 95% CI 0.06 (0.04 to 0.08)), descending (0.05 (0.04 to 0.07)) and infrarenal (0.02 (0.01 to 0.03)) aortic diameters, as well as with higher odds of plaque presence (OR, 95% CI 1.22 (1.05 to 1.42)) and greater cIMT (β, 95% CI 0.01 (0.004 to 0.02)) in the age-adjusted and sex-adjusted model. However, further adjustment for additional cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly body mass index, attenuated these associations. In KORA, no significant associations were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The relation between hepatic fat and subclinical vascular disease was not independent of overall adiposity. Given the close relation of FLD with cardiometabolic risk factors, people with FLD should still be prioritised for cardiovascular disease screening.

Changes in Insulin Resistance Index and the Risk of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease without Diabetes: Kangbuk Samsung Health Study

BACKGROUND

Fibrosis is the most important prognostic factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Insulin resistance plays a key role of fibrosis progression. We evaluated the association between changes in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values and changes in fibrosis status in NAFLD.

METHODS

We analyzed the data of 15,728 participants with NAFLD (86% men, mean age 40.5 years) who had no diabetes at baseline and visited our centers for health check-ups both in 2012 and 2016. The participants were classified into four groups according to the degree of change in HOMA-IR values from baseline to the end of follow-up: G1 (<0), G2 (0-0.50), G3 (0.51-1.00), and G4 (>1.00). NAFLD was assessed by ultrasonography, and fibrosis status was evaluated by the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI).

RESULTS

After the 4-year follow-up, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for progression of fibrosis probability increased with increasing HOMA-IR values (OR, 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87 to 2.71 for NFS; and OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 2.05 to 3.18 for APRI, G4). This tendency remained consistent throughout the subgroup analyses, except in those for female sex and a body mass index <25 kg/m2. The OR for regression of fibrosis probability decreased with increasing HOMA-IR values (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.43 for NFS, G4).

CONCLUSION

Changes in HOMA-IR values were associated with changes in fibrosis status in patients with NAFLD without diabetes, which underscores the role of insulin resistance in liver fibrosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetes: When to refer to the hepatologist?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. A strong relationship exists between NAFLD and diabetes mellitus. There is growing evidence of a mechanistically complex and strong association between the two diseases. Current data also shows that one disease actually leads to worsening of the other and vice versa. Understanding of the various pathophysiological mechanisms involved, natural history and spectrum of these two diseases is essential not only for early diagnosis and management but also for prevention of severe disease forms. Despite the tremendous progress made in recent times in acquiring knowledge about these highly prevalent diseases, the guidelines and recommendations for screening and management of diabetics with NAFLD remain ambiguous. An interdisciplinary approach is required to not only raise awareness of the prevalence of NAFLD in diabetics but also for better patient management. This can help attenuate the development of significant complications, such as cirrhosis, decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma in these patients, thereby halting NAFLD in its tracks. This review focuses on the pivotal role of primary care physicians and endocrinologists in identification of NAFLD in diabetics in early stages and the role of proactive screening for prompt referral to hepatologist.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment

There has been a rise in the prevalence of non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to the popularity of western diets and sedentary lifestyles. One quarter of NAFLD patients is diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with histological evidence not only of fat accumulation in hepatocytes but also of liver cell injury and death due to long-term inflammation. Severe NASH patients have increased risks of cirrhosis and liver cancer. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis and current methods of diagnosis for NASH, and current status of drug development for this life-threatening liver disease.

[Development of liver organoids from NASH model mice and their application to drug discovery]

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease, with the increased prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic disorders in recent years. As the disease progresses, it leads to hepatic fibrosis, which may progress to hepatocellular carcinoma, but there is still no cure for severe hepatic fibrosis. Currently, in order to develop drugs for the treatment of NASH, the effects of candidate drugs are evaluated by a long-term administration to mice and rats that are fed a high-fat or methionine-deficient diet to reproduce the pathology of fatty liver and liver fibrosis. Since drug development using these experimental animals is time-consuming and costly, in vitro models that reproduce the pathology of NASH have recently been developing. In this review, we will outline the current issues in the diagnosis and treatment of NASH, and introduce our research for the discovery of early diagnostic markers and the development of new therapeutic agents using liver organoid cultures derived from mouse models of NASH.

Diagnostic accuracy of fibrosis tests in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in children. Even at young age, it can progress to liver fibrosis. Given the drawbacks of liver biopsy, there is a need for non-invasive methods to accurately stage liver fibrosis in this age group. In this systematic review, we evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive methods for staging liver fibrosis in children with NAFLD.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library, for studies that evaluated the performance of a blood-based biomarker, prediction score or imaging technique in staging liver fibrosis in children with NAFLD, using liver biopsy as the reference standard.

RESULTS

Twenty studies with a total of 1787 NAFLD subjects were included, which evaluated three prediction scores, five simple biomarkers, two combined biomarkers and six imaging techniques. Most studies lacked validation. Substantial heterogeneity of studies and limited available study data precluded a meta-analysis of the few fibrosis tests evaluated in more than one study. The most consistent accuracy data were found for transient elastography by FibroScan®, ELF test and ultrasound elastography, with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve varying between 0.92 and 1.00 for detecting significant fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Due to the lack of validation, the accuracy and clinical utility of non-invasive fibrosis tests in children with NAFLD remains uncertain. As studies have solely been performed in tertiary care settings, accuracy data cannot directly be translated to screening populations.

Non-invasive diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

Liver disease has emerged as a significant cause of death in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Due to a common underlying pathogenic mechanism, namely insulin resistance, T2D represents the main risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by a buildup of fat in the liver. Globally, NAFLD is the most common liver disease, affecting a quarter of the general adult population. The development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) signifies an increased risk of liver fibrosis progression that can result in cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death. Liver fibrosis progression and development of cirrhosis is mostly asymptomatic until complications from decompensated end-stage liver disease arise. Traditionally, liver biopsy is used to diagnose NASH and stage fibrosis, however, it is invasive and costly. Non-invasive diagnostic alternatives include serum biomarkers and imaging techniques. Early identification of advanced liver fibrosis is pivotal to prompt initiation of targeted surveillance, including screening for HCC, as well as providing options for current and investigational therapeutic interventions to reduce fibrosis progression. This review gives an update on non-invasive diagnostic tools for NAFLD and liver fibrosis in the specific context of T2D, providing clinicians a pragmatic diagnostic approach to this frequent comorbidity in diabetes medicine.

Baseline homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance associated with fibrosis progression in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease without diabetes: A cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Fibrosis progression is the most important prognostic factor, and insulin resistance is one of the main mechanisms associated with fibrosis progression in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluate the association between baseline insulin resistance and future fibrosis progression in patients with NAFLD without diabetes.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

This retrospective longitudinal study with 8-year follow-up period included 32,606 (men, 83%) participants aged >20 years (average age, 38.0 years) without diabetes at baseline who completed at least two comprehensive health checkups from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018. NAFLD was diagnosed based on ultrasonography. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to evaluate baseline insulin resistance. Fibrosis progression was assessed using the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI). The advanced liver fibrosis with an APRI value above the intermediate fibrosis probability (≥0.5) developed in a total of 2,897 participants during 136,108 person-years. 114 participants progressed to a high fibrosis probability stage (APRI >1.5) during 141,064 person-years. Using the lowest baseline HOMA-IR quartile group (Q1) as a reference, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for development of advanced liver fibrosis (APRI ≥0.5) in the highest baseline HOMA-IR quartile group (Q4) was 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.74-2.19; Model 4). And the HR for development of advanced liver fibrosis with high fibrosis probability was 1.95 (95% CI 1.10-3.46; Model 4). The positive association was maintained throughout the entire follow-up period. The baseline HOMA-IR model was superior to the baseline body mass index (BMI) model in predicting the progression of fibrosis probability.

CONCLUSIONS

In this longitudinal study, we found that the degree of baseline insulin resistance, assessed by HOMA-IR values, was positively associated with future fibrosis progression in patients with NAFLD without diabetes.

Long Noncoding RNAs and Human Liver Disease

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pervasively transcribed in the genome, exhibit a diverse range of biological functions, and exert effects through a variety of mechanisms. The sheer number of lncRNAs in the human genome has raised important questions about their potential biological significance and roles in human health and disease. Technological and computational advances have enabled functional annotation of a large number of lncRNAs. Though the number of publications related to lncRNAs has escalated in recent years, relatively few have focused on those involved in hepatic physiology and pathology. We provide an overview of evolving lncRNA classification systems and characteristics and highlight important advances in our understanding of the contribution of lncRNAs to liver disease, with a focus on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cholestatic liver disease. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease, Volume 17 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Reliability of ultrasound hepatorenal index and magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction techniques in the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis, with magnetic resonance spectroscopy as the reference standard

PURPOSE

To evaluate the reliability of ultrasound hepatorenal index (US-HRI) and magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) techniques in the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis, with magnetic resonance spectroscopy proton density fat fraction (MRS-PDFF) as the reference standard.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-two adult volunteers (30 men, 22 women; age, 31.5 ± 6.5 years) who had no history of kidney disease or viral/alcoholic hepatitis were recruited to undergo abdominal US, MRI, and MRS examinations. US-HRI was calculated from the average of three pairs of regions of interest (ROIs) measurements placed in the liver parenchyma and right renal cortex. On MRI, the six-point Dixon technique was employed for calculating proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). An MRS sequence with a typical voxel size of 27 ml was chosen to estimate MRS-PDFF as the gold standard. The data were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

The Pearson correlation coefficients of US-HRI and MRI-PDFF with MRS-PDFF were 0.38 (p = 0.005) and 0.95 (p<0.001), respectively. If MRS-PDFF ≥5.56% was defined as the gold standard of fatty liver disease, the areas under the curve (AUCs), cut-off values, sensitivities and specificities of US-HRI and MRI-PDFF were 0.74, 1.54, 50%, 91.7% and 0.99, 2.75%, 100%, 88.9%, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of US-HRI and MRI-PDFF were 0.70 and 0.85.

CONCLUSION

MRI-PDFF was more reliable than US-HRI in diagnosing hepatic steatosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis: State of the art on effective therapeutics based on the gold standard method for diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) is increasing. NAFLD/NASH may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, most patients with NAFLD/NASH will die from a vascular cause. There are no approved pharmacological treatments for NASH/NAFLD. Many clinical trials have been, or are being, undertaken; however, the challenge is the assessment of the clinical endpoint. The main objective of this narrative review was to evaluate the efficacy of drugs used in clinical trials for the treatment of NAFLD/NASH that included a liver biopsy as the gold standard.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using 3 databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) to identify the clinical trials that included liver biopsy assessment before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Interventional clinical trials (n = 33) involving 18 different agents, alone and in combination, were identified. Pioglitazone is the only agent that has shown consistent benefit and efficacy in clinical trials. Pentoxifylline, rosiglitazone, and ursodeoxycholic acid had both positive and negative results from clinical trials. There is also evidence for vitamin E and metformin. Other drugs, including bicyclol, cysteamine bitartrate, l-carnitine, liraglutide, obeticholic acid, oligofructose, selonsertib, silymarin, and statins, each had a single clinical study.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the available molecules demonstrated a significant improvement in NASH and/or liver fibrosis in a minority of patients; thus, other drugs should be identified, possibly those acting on alternative pathophysiological pathways, and tested for their safety and efficacy.

Is there a link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease aspects and pancreatic cancer? Results of a case-matched study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

An association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been previously suggested. This study aims at investigating this association and at identifying potential links between variables of the NAFLD spectrum and PDAC.

METHODS

A cross-sectional case-matched analytical and comparative study was carried out to analyze patients undergoing surgical resection of PDAC and compare them to a control group of individuals undergoing cholecystectomy at a public tertiary teaching hospital, matched by sex, age and BMI. Hepatic histopathological examinations were compared between cases and controls.

RESULTS

Of 56 individuals, 36 were male (64.3%) and the median age was 61.5 years old (interquartile range: 57.5 - 70). The participants' median BMI was 24.3 kg/m2 (interquartile range: 22.1-26.2 kg/m2). Microvesicular steatosis (p=0.04), hepatocellular ballooning (p=0.02), fibrosis (p=0.0003) and steatohepatitis (p=0.03) were significantly more frequent in the group of cases. Odds ratios for hepatocellular ballooning (6.2; 95%CI: 1.2-31.8; p=0.03), fibrosis (9.3; 95%CI: 2.5-34.1; p=0.0008) and steatohepatitis (3.9; 95%CI: 1.1-14.3; p=0.04) were statistically significant in relation to the PDAC prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant associations were identified between histopathological aspects of NAFLD (microvesicular steatosis, hepatocellular ballooning, fibrosis, and steatohepatitis) and PDAC.

Preoperative classification of primary and metastatic liver cancer via machine learning-based ultrasound radiomics

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the application of machine learning-based ultrasound radiomics in preoperative classification of primary and metastatic liver cancer.

METHODS

Data of 114 consecutive histopathologically confirmed patients with liver cancer from January 2018 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent liver ultrasonography within 1 week before hepatectomy or fine-needle biopsy. The liver lesions were manually segmented by two experts using ITK-SNAP software. Seven categories of radiomics features, including first-order, two-dimensional shape, gray-level co-occurrence matrices, gray-level run-length matrix, gray-level size-zone matrix, neighboring gray tone difference matrix, and gray-level dependence matrix, were extracted on the Pyradiomics platform. Fourteen filters were applied to the original images, and derived images were obtained. Then, the dimensions of radiomics features were reduced by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) method. Finally, k-nearest neighbor (KNN), logistic regression (LR), multilayer perceptron (MLP), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) were employed to distinguish primary liver cancer from metastatic liver cancer by a fivefold cross-validation strategy. The performance of the established model was mainly evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and accuracy.

RESULTS

One thousand four hundred nine radiomics features were extracted from the original images and/or derived images for each patient. The mentioned five machine learning classifiers were able to differentiate primary liver cancer from metastatic liver cancer. LR outperformed other classifiers, with the accuracy of 0.843 ± 0.078 (AUC, 0.816 ± 0.088; sensitivity, 0.768 ± 0.232; specificity, 0.880 ± 0.117).

CONCLUSIONS

Machine learning-based ultrasound radiomics features are able to non-invasively distinguish primary liver tumors from metastatic liver tumors.

KEY POINTS

• Ultrasound-based radiomics was initially used for preoperative classification of primary versus metastatic liver cancer. • Multiple machine learning-based algorithms with cross-validation strategy were applied to extract machine learning-based ultrasound radiomics features. • Distinction between primary and metastatic tumors was obtained with a sensitivity of 0.768 and a specificity of 0.880.

Multifocus Thermal Strain Imaging Using a Curved Linear Array Transducer for Identification of Lipids in Deep Tissue

Thermal strain imaging (TSI) is an ultrasound-based imaging technique intended primarily for diseases in which lipid accumulation is the main biomarker. The goal of the research described here was to successfully implement TSI on a single, commercially available curved linear array transducer for heating and imaging of organs at a deeper depth. For an effective temperature rise of the tissue over a large area, which is key to TSI performance, an innovative multifocus beamforming approach was applied. This yielded a heating area from 32 to 96 mm in the axial direction and -7 to +7 mm in the lateral direction. The pressure fields generated from simulation were in agreement with pressure fields measured with the hydrophone. TSI with safe acoustic power identified with high contrast a rubber inclusion and liposuction fat tissue embedded in a gelatin block.

The Association between Decreased Kidney Function and FIB-4 Index Value, as Indirect Liver Fibrosis Indicator, in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects

Liver fibrosis might be linked to the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is little information about the association between liver fibrosis and decreased kidney function in middle-aged and older subjects. We aimed to evaluate the influence of liver fibrosis on the incidence or prevalence of CKD stage 3–5 in a retrospective cross-sectional study (Study 1, n = 806) and a 6-year longitudinal study (Study 2, n = 380) of middle-aged and older subjects. We evaluated liver fibrosis using the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and kidney function using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of all subjects. All subjects were divided into four groups on the basis of their FIB-4 score quartiles (low to high). In the Jonckheere–Terpstra trend test of Study 1, the eGFR decreased significantly from the lowest group to the highest group (p < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier survival curve in Study 2 showed that the cumulative prevalence of CKD stage 3–5 was higher in the third quartile than the other quartiles. Our results suggest that liver fibrosis could be a useful indicator for the prevalence of CKD, even within a relatively healthy population, although liver fibrosis was not an independent risk factor.

Association of hepatic steatosis derived from ultrasound and quantitative MRI with prediabetes in the general population

The aim of our study was to investigate the association of hepatic steatosis derived from quantitative ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with prediabetes in a large population-based study conducted in Northeast Germany. Hepatic steatosis was assessed through transabdominal ultrasound and quantitative MRI. For analysis we included 1622 subjects with MRI who participated in an oral glucose tolerance test and reported no known type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We classified participants as proposed by the American Diabetes Association: isolated impaired fasting glucose (i-IFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT), combined IFG and IGT (IFG + IGT), and undiagnosed T2DM. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex body mass index and alcohol consumption. We observed positive associations of hepatic steatosis with glycated hemoglobin, fasting glucose and insulin, 2-h glucose and insulin, as well as homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index. Similarly, individuals having hepatic steatosis as defined by MRI had a higher relative risk ratio (RR) to be in the prediabetes groups i-IFG (RR = 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2; 2.2), i-IGT (RR = 3.3, 95% CI 2.0; 5.6) and IFG + IGT (RR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.6; 3.9) or to have undiagnosed T2DM (RR = 4.8, 95% CI 2.6; 9.0). All associations were attenuated when defining hepatic steatosis by ultrasound. Hepatic steatosis is associated with prediabetes and undiagnosed T2DM in the general population. Quantitative liver MRI revealed stronger associations with prediabetes and undiagnosed T2DM compared to ultrasound, which indicates the higher sensitivity and specificity of MRI to determine hepatic steatosis.

Plasma and stool metabolomics to identify microbiota derived-biomarkers of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: effect of PNPLA3 genotype

INTRODUCTION

Non-invasive biomarkers are needed for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), especially for patients at risk of disease progression in high-prevalence areas. The microbiota and its metabolites represent a niche for MAFLD biomarker discovery. However, studies are not reproducible as the microbiota is variable.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify microbiota-derived metabolomic biomarkers that may contribute to the higher MAFLD prevalence and different disease severity in Latin America, where data is scarce.

METHODS

We compared the plasma and stool metabolomes, gene patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), diet, demographic and clinical data of 33 patients (12 simple steatosis and 21 steatohepatitis) and 19 healthy volunteers (HV). The potential predictive utility of the identified biomarkers for MAFLD diagnosis and progression was evaluated by logistic regression modelling and ROC curves.

RESULTS

Twenty-four (22 in plasma and 2 in stool) out of 424 metabolites differed among groups. Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels were higher among MAFLD patients, whereas plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lysoPC levels were lower among HV. The PNPLA3 risk genotype was related to higher plasma levels of eicosenoic acid or fatty acid 20:1 (FA(20:1)). Body mass index and plasma levels of PCaaC24:0, FA(20:1) and TG (16:1_34:1) showed the best AUROC for MAFLD diagnosis, whereas steatosis and steatohepatitis could be discriminated with plasma levels of PCaaC24:0 and PCaeC40:1.

CONCLUSION

This study identified for the first time MAFLD potential non-invasive biomarkers in a Latin American population. The association of PNPLA3 genotype with FA(20:1) suggests a novel metabolic pathway influencing MAFLD pathogenesis.

The Role of Lipid Profile as an Independent Predictor of Non-alcoholic Steatosis and Steatohepatitis in Morbidly Obese Patients

Background and Aims: Obesity is one of the major health problems worldwide. Morbid obesity (body mass index >40 kg/m2 or over 35 with a comorbidity) is associated, apart from other diseases, with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Moreover, dyslipidemia is an important comorbidity that is frequently found in NAFLD patients. The aim of this study was to analyze whether serum lipids in morbidly obese patients are associated with the spectrum of NAFLD. Methods: Total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, VLDL, and triglycerides were analyzed in 90 morbidly obese patients. The association of lipid profile parameters with histopathological, elastographic, and sonographic indices of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and liver fibrosis were explored. Results: The mean levels of serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, and non-HDL cholesterol in patients with positive histology for liver steatosis and NASH were significantly higher than those in patients with negative histology. None of the indices showed a strong association with NAFLD, NASH, or liver fibrosis after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusion: A slight predictive value of lipid profile is not sufficiently enough to use solely as a non-invasive test in predicting NASH or liver fibrosis.

Serum Micro-RNA-122 Level as a Simple Noninvasive Marker of MAFLD Severity

BACKGROUND

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common disease worldwide. Micro-RNA-122 is known to be the most abundant micro-RNA expressed in the liver.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of micro-RNA-122 and the degree of steatosis and fibrosis in obese patients with MAFLD.

METHODS

The study included 120 obese Egyptian patients with MAFLD, which were diagnosed and classified according to ultra-sonographic liver findings. All patients enrolled in the study were subjected to thorough clinical examination and laboratory investigations (serum micro-RNA-122 levels by PCR, lipid profile, liver biochemistry, and functions). Fibro-scan was used to assess the level of fibrosis.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in levels of micro-RNA-122 in obese patients with MAFLD compared to controls (p<0.001). Micro-RNA-122 level was lower in patients with mild liver steatosis than patients with moderate or severe steatosis (p<0.001). It was lower in patients with a mild degree of fibrosis than those with mild or moderate fibrosis (p<0.001). Micro-RNA-122 was significantly positively correlated with low-density cholesterol and triglycerides level, and liver enzymes, and negatively correlated to high-density cholesterol (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Serum micro-RNA-122 could be a useful predictor of assessing MAFLD severity regarding level of steatosis or fibrosis.

What proportion of people have a follow-up biopsy in randomized trials of treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis?: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aim

Trials of treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis require endpoint assessment with liver biopsies. Previous large-scale trials have calculated their sample size expecting high retention but on average did not achieve this. We aimed to quantify the proportion of participants with a valid follow-up biopsy.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE and Embase until May 2020 and included randomized clinical trials of any intervention in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with at least 1-year follow-up. We were guided by Cochrane methods to run a meta-analysis with generalized linear mixed models with random effects.

Results

Forty-one trials (n = 6,695) were included. The proportion of participants with a valid follow-up biopsy was 82% (95%CI: 78%-86%, I² = 92%). There was no evidence of a difference by location, trial length, or by allocated treatment group. Reasons for missing follow-up biopsies were, in ranked order, related to participants (95 per 1,000 participants (95%CI: 69–129, I² = 92%), medical factors, protocol, trial conduct, and other/unclear. Biopsy-related serious adverse events occurred in 16 per 1,000 participants (95% CI: 8–33, I² = 54%). No biopsy-related deaths were reported.

Conclusions

The proportion of participants with a valid follow-up biopsy in therapeutic trials in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is on average 82%, with around 1 in 10 participants declining a follow-up biopsy. These findings can inform adequately-powered trials.

Test-Retest Reliability of the Assessment of Fatty Liver Disease Using Low-Dose Computed Tomography in Cardiac Patients

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disorder that is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, its prevalence is high in patients with coronary artery disease. In myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans are used for attenuation correction in separate stress and rest studies. Here, the test–retest reliability of CT-based quantification of NAFLD was evaluated using these two CT scans. The study population consisted of 261 patients (156 men and 105 women, age 66 ± 10 years). Quantification of liver fat content was based on the radiodensity of the liver in Hounsfield units as well as in relation to corresponding values of the spleen. NAFLD was observed in 47 subjects (18%). CT quantification has good test–retest reliability in assessing NAFLD, with concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) ranging from 0.512 to 0.923, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranging from 0.513 to 0.923, and coefficient of variation ranging from 3.1 to 7.0%. Regarding the liver to spleen ratio, CCC for non-NAFLD patients and NAFLD patients was 0.552 and 0.911, respectively. For non-NAFLD patients ICC was 0.553 and NAFLD patients it was 0.913. The coefficient of variation for non-NAFLD and NAFLD patients was 4.9% and 3.1%, respectively. Our results suggest that low-dose CT is a feasible and well repeatable method but amount of liver fat contributes to repeatability. In NAFLD patients CCC and ICC were high reflecting excellent reliability, whereas in non-NAFLD patients test-retest reliability was moderate. Assessment of liver fat content can be used as additional information in studies where a CT scan has been done for other medical reasons, such as for low-dose attenuation correction CT along with MPI.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Comorbidities: Pathophysiological Links, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Management

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a growing prevalence in recent years. Its association with cardiovascular disease has been intensively studied, and certain correlations have been identified. The connection between these two entities has lately aroused interest regarding therapeutic management. In order to find the best therapeutic options, a detailed understanding of the pathophysiology that links (NAFLD) to cardiovascular comorbidities is needed. This review focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms that are behind these two diseases and on the therapeutic management available at this time.

Fatty Liver Disease Prediction Model Based on Big Data of Electronic Physical Examination Records

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a common liver disease, which poses a great threat to people's health, but there is still no optimal method that can be used on a large-scale screening. This research is based on machine learning algorithms, using electronic physical examination records in the health database as data support, to a predictive model for FLD. The model has shown good predictive ability on the test set, with its AUC reaching 0.89. Since there are a large number of electronic physical examination records in most of health database, this model might be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for FLD for large-scale screening.

Two-dimensional shear wave elastography and ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter for progressive non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We investigated the usefulness of combining two-dimensional shear wave elastography and the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter for assessing the risk of progressive non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, defined as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score of ≥4 and a fibrosis stage of ≥2.

METHODS

This prospective study included 202 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who underwent two-dimensional shear wave elastography, ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter, vibration-controlled transient elastography, the controlled attenuation parameter, and liver biopsy on the same day. Patients were grouped according to liver stiffness measurement using two-dimensional shear wave elastography and the attenuation coefficient, assessed using the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter: A, low liver stiffness measurement/low attenuation coefficient; B, low liver stiffness measurement/high attenuation coefficient; C, high liver stiffness measurement/low attenuation coefficient; and D, high liver stiffness measurement/high attenuation coefficient.

RESULTS

Two-dimensional shear wave elastography and vibration-controlled transient elastography had equivalent diagnostic performance for fibrosis. The areas under the curve of the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter for identifying steatosis grades ≥S1, ≥S2, and S3 were 0.89, 0.91, and 0.92, respectively, which were significantly better than those of the controlled attenuation parameter (P<0.05). The percentages of progressive non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in Groups A, B, C, and D were 0.0%, 7.7%, 35.7%, and 50.0%, respectively (P<0.001). The prediction model was established as logit (p) = 0.5414 × liver stiffness measurement (kPa) + 7.791 × attenuation coefficient (dB/cm/MHz)-8.401, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.832, 80.9%, and 74.6%, respectively; there was no significant difference from the FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase score.

CONCLUSION

Combined assessment by two-dimensional shear wave elastography and the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter is useful for risk stratification of progressive non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and may be convenient for evaluating the necessity of specialist referral and liver biopsy.

Non-invasive Assessment of Liver Fat in ob/ob Mice Using Ultrasound-Induced Thermal Strain Imaging and Its Correlation with Hepatic Triglyceride Content

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the accumulation of triglycerides in liver. In its malignant form, it can proceed to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, cancer and ultimately liver impairment, leading to liver transplantation. In a previous study, ultrasound-induced thermal strain imaging (US-TSI) was used to distinguish between excised fatty livers from obese mice and non-fatty livers from control mice. In this study, US-TSI was used to quantify lipid composition of fatty livers in ob/ob mice (n = 28) at various steatosis stages. A strong correlation coefficient was observed (R² = 0.85) between lipid composition measured with US-TSI and hepatic triglyceride content. Hepatic triglyceride content is used to quantify adipose tissue in liver. The ob/ob mice were divided into three groups based on the degree of steatosis that is used in clinics: none, mild and moderate. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to determine if US-TSI can potentially differentiate among the steatosis grades in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Hepatic Steatosis Predicts Higher Incidence of Recurrence in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis Patients

Purpose: Colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is the major cause of death due to colorectal cancer. Although great efforts have been made in treatment of CRLM, about 60–70% of patients will develop hepatic recurrence. Hepatic steatosis was reported to provide fertile soil for metastasis. However, whether hepatic steatosis predicts higher incidence of CRLM recurrence is not clear. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of hepatic steatosis in CRLM recurrence in the present study.

Methods: Consecutive CRLM patients undergoing curative treatment were retrospectively enrolled and CT liver-spleen attenuation ratio was used to detect the presence of hepatic steatosis. In patients with hepatic steatosis, we also detected the presence of fibrosis. Besides, a systematic literature search was performed to do meta-analysis to further analyze the association between hepatic steatosis and CRLM recurrence.

Results: A total of 195 eligible patients were included in our center. Patients with hepatic steatosis had a significantly worse overall (P = 0.0049) and hepatic recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.0012). Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed its essential role in prediction of RFS. Besides, hepatic fibrosis is associated with worse overall RFS (P = 0.039) and hepatic RFS (P = 0.048). In meta-analysis, we included other four studies, with a total of 1,370 patients in the case group, and 3,735 patients in the control group. The odds ratio was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.25–3.14, P = 0.004), indicating that patients with steatosis had a significantly higher incidence of CRLM recurrence.

Conclusion: In summary, patients with hepatic steatosis had a significantly worse overall and hepatic RFS and it's associated with higher incidence of CRLM recurrence.

Aptamer-Based Detection of Circulating Targets for Precision Medicine

The past decade has witnessed ongoing progress in precision medicine to improve human health. As an emerging diagnostic technique, liquid biopsy can provide real-time, comprehensive, dynamic physiological and pathological information in a noninvasive manner, opening a new window for precision medicine. Liquid biopsy depends on the sensitive and reliable detection of circulating targets (e.g., cells, extracellular vesicles, proteins, microRNAs) from body fluids, the performance of which is largely governed by recognition ligands. Aptamers are single-stranded functional oligonucleotides, capable of folding into unique tertiary structures to bind to their targets with superior specificity and affinity. Their mature evolution procedure, facile modification, and affinity regulation, as well as versatile structural design and engineering, make aptamers ideal recognition ligands for liquid biopsy. In this review, we present a broad overview of aptamer-based liquid biopsy techniques for precision medicine. We begin with recent advances in aptamer selection, followed by a summary of state-of-the-art strategies for multivalent aptamer assembly and aptamer interface modification. We will further describe aptamer-based micro-/nanoisolation platforms, aptamer-enabled release methods, and aptamer-assisted signal amplification and detection strategies. Finally, we present our perspectives regarding the opportunities and challenges of aptamer-based liquid biopsy for precision medicine.

A comprehensive review of long non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

One of the most prevalent diseases worldwide without a fully-known mechanism is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as significant regulatory molecules. These RNAs have been claimed by bioinformatic research that is involved in biologic processes, including cell cycle, transcription factor regulation, fatty acids metabolism, and-so-forth. There is a body of evidence that lncRNAs have a pivotal role in triglyceride, cholesterol, and lipoprotein metabolism. Moreover, lncRNAs by up- or down-regulation of the downstream molecules in fatty acid metabolism may determine the fatty acid deposition in the liver. Therefore, lncRNAs have attracted considerable interest in NAFLD pathology and research. In this review, we provide all of the lncRNAs and their possible mechanisms which have been introduced up to now. It is hoped that this study would provide deep insight into the role of lncRNAs in NAFLD to recognize the better molecular targets for therapy.

NAFLD in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Still many challenging questions

Epidemiologic data consistently show that in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including advanced fibrosis, is double compared to the general population, and it associates with high risk of liver-related morbidity (advanced fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma) and mortality, but also with other systemic consequences, such as cardiovascular (CV) disease, chronic kidney disease, and overall mortality. There are still many answers that need to be clarified regarding NAFLD in T2DM, including deciphering the complex pathogenetic mechanisms, the intertwined relationships with the extrahepatic organs and tissues (mainly heart, kidneys, adipose tissue, gut), the prognostic value of NAFLD for CV risk stratification, and more importantly, what would be the most appropriate screening algorithm, diagnostic method and therapeutic approach. We advocate here for proactive action, in order to identify NAFLD in a timely manner, and suggest a simple algorithm to be used in clinical practice, based on risk stratification and on experts' opinions. We discuss the current therapeutic options for NAFLD in T2DM, for which a multifactorial approach is needed, that concomitantly addresses the liver and the cardio-reno-metabolic disturbances.

Pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease predicted by anthropometric values through transient elastography

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of pediatric chronic liver disease, which is strongly associated with obesity. Transient elastography, together with anthropometric values including waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) z-scores are a more precise diagnostic method of NAFLD than ultrasonography. Through transient elastography, we investigate the principal anthropometric values associated with pediatric NAFLD.

METHODS

Healthy children between the ages of 6-18 years whose BMIs were ≥85% of normal were recruited as the overweight-and-obese group, and children whose BMIs ranged between 5%-85% were recruited as the control group. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was evaluated via transient elastography. BMI z-score and WHtR were measured.

RESULTS

A total of 107 (58 overweight-and-obese, 49 control) children were recruited. As evaluated by transient elastography, children in the overweight-and-obese group had significantly higher controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness measurement values than the control group. To detect fatty liver, WHtR with a cut-off point of 0.481 and BMI z-score with cut-off point of 1.075 had the best sensitivity and specificity. To identify liver stiffness or inflammation, WHtR with cut-off point of 0.514 and BMI z-score with cut-off point of 1.62 had the best sensitivity and specificity. Controlled attenuation parameter demonstrated a fair correlation with WHtR and BMI z-scores, even in the normal range of these parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Transient elastography together with anthropometric measurements demonstrate that pediatric NAFLD may develop earlier than expected. We present principal anthropometric values associated with pediatric NAFLD.

Prognostic accuracy of FIB-4, NAFLD fibrosis score and APRI for NAFLD-related events: A systematic review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Fibrosis is the strongest predictor for long-term clinical outcomes among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There is growing interest in employing non-invasive methods for risk stratification based on prognosis. FIB-4, NFS and APRI are models commonly used for detecting fibrosis among NAFLD patients. We aimed to synthesize existing literature on the ability of these models in prognosticating NAFLD-related events.

METHODS

A sensitive search was conducted in two medical databases to retrieve studies evaluating the prognostic accuracy of FIB-4, NFS and APRI among NAFLD patients. Target events were change in fibrosis, liver-related event and mortality. Two reviewers independently performed reference screening, data extraction and quality assessment (QUAPAS tool).

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies (FIB-4:12, NFS: 11, APRI: 10), published between 2013 and 2019, were retrieved. All studies were conducted in a secondary or tertiary care setting, with follow-up ranging from 1 to 20 years. All three markers showed consistently good prognostication of liver-related events (AUC from 0.69 to 0.92). For mortality, FIB-4 (AUC of 0.67-0.82) and NFS (AUC of 0.70-0.83) outperformed APRI (AUC of 0.52-0.73) in all studies. All markers had inconsistent performance for predicting change in fibrosis stage.

CONCLUSIONS

FIB-4, NFS, and APRI have demonstrated ability to risk stratify patients for liver-related morbidity and mortality, with comparable performance to a liver biopsy, although more head-to-head studies are needed to validate this. More refined models to prognosticate NAFLD-events may further enhance performance and clinical utility of non-invasive markers.

Association between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Bone Mineral Density in HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Long-term TDF-Based Antiretroviral Therapy

BACKGROUND

Tenofovir (TDF) has a detrimental effect on bone mineral density (BMD), while nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a lower BMD.

OBJECTIVE

To help understand the mutual effects of NAFLD and TDF on BMD, this study was designed to explore the potential association between NAFLD and BMD in HIV-infected patients receiving long-term TDF-based antiretroviral therapy (ART).

METHODS

A total of 89 HIV-infected patients who received TDF-based ART for more than three years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We measured BMD using an ultrasonic bone density apparatus, and liver ultrasonography was performed to determine the severity of the fatty liver. The association of NAFLD with BMD was examined using multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Patients with NAFLD showed a worse BMD status than those without NAFLD. The incidence rates of osteopenia (42.86% versus 25.93%) and osteoporosis (17.14% versus 3.70%) were significantly higher in HIV-infected patients with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD. After multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) for patients with NAFLD exhibiting a worse BMD status compared with those without NAFLD was 4.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42, 14.15).

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, NAFLD was significantly associated with a worse BMD status, including osteopenia and osteoporosis, in HIV patients after receiving long-term TDF-based ART. Furthermore, we may want to avoid using TDF for ART in HIV-infected patients with NAFLD.

Comparison of MR-PWI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters for the evaluation of liver fibrosis

Background

To evaluate different stages of liver fibrosis in cynomolgus monkeys by comparing magnetic resonance-perfusion weighted imaging (MR-PWI) quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters, and confirm the best detection indicators for diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

Methods

A liver fibrosis model of different stages (S0–S4) was established in cynomolgus monkeys. The changes in MR-PWI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters with the progression of liver fibrosis were investigated.

Results

MR-PWI quantitative parameters gradually decreased with the progression of liver fibrosis. Hepatic arterial perfusion index (HPI) was found to increase with the progression of liver fibrosis and significant differences of HPI between each group were observed. There was a highly positive correlation between HPI and the stages of liver fibrosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that HPI had the highest efficacy of the MR-PWI quantitative parameters for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. The MR-PW semi-quantitative parameters gradually reduced with the progression of liver fibrosis, and the differences were statistically significant between stages S3–S4 and S0–S2. Time to peak (TPP) gradually extended and showed a positive correlation with the stages of liver fibrosis. TTP had the highest efficacy of the semi-quantitative parameters for diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

Conclusions

Both the MR-PWI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters of the liver fibrosis model in cynomolgus monkeys varied at different stages of liver fibrosis, and HPI and TTP were the best detection indices for quantitative and semi-quantitative evaluation of liver fibrosis, respectively.

Circulating non-coding RNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers in liver diseases

The liver plays a principal role in the human body as a metabolic and detoxifying unit. Liver diseases are the world's major health problems and affect millions of people worldwide. Early detection of liver diseases is certainly effective in timely treatment and prevention of their progression. Liver injury is associated with significant alterations in immune responses and pattern changes in various tissue-related gene expressions and cytokine production. Increasing or decreasing the specific spectrum of non-coding RNAs in different phases of liver disease can be a criterion for diagnosis. Novel diagnostic biomarkers are needed for liver diseases. Currently, micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are known to play important roles in the diagnosis of liver diseases. Circulating biomarkers such as miRNA-assisted diagnosis can conceivably be helpful for the early treatment of liver diseases. In this review, we look at miRNAs and their potential applications in liver diseases as diagnostic biomarkers were investigated.

MRI quantification techniques in fatty liver: the diagnostic performance of hepatic T1, T2, and stiffness measurements in relation to the proton density fat fraction

PURPOSE

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can progress to liver cirrhosis and is predicted to become the most frequent indication for liver transplantation in the near future. Noninvasive assessment of NAFLD is important for diagnosis and patient management. This study aims to prospectively determine the liver stiffness and T1 and T2 values in patients with NAFLD and to compare the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and mapping techniques in relation to the proton density fat fraction (PDFF).

METHODS

Eighty-three patients with NAFLD and 26 participants with normal livers were imaged with a 1.5 T scanner. PDFF measurements obtained from the multiecho Dixon technique were used to quantify the liver fat. MRE, native T1 mapping (modified Look-Locker inversion recovery [MOLLI] schemes 5(3)3, 3(3)3(3)5, and 3(2)3(2)5 and the B1-corrected variable flip angle [VFA] method), and T2 mapping values were correlated with PDFF. The diagnostic performance of MRE and the mapping techniques were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

T1 values measured with the MOLLI schemes and the B1-corrected VFA (P < 0.001), and the stiffness values from MRE (P = 0.047) were significantly higher in the NAFLD group. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of T2 values (P = 0.127). In differentiation of the NAFLD and control groups, the B1-corrected VFA technique had slightly higher accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) than the MOLLI schemes. In the NAFLD group, there was a good correlation between the PDFF, MOLLI 3(3)3(3)5 and 3(2)3(2)5, and VFA T1 measurements (r=0.732; r=0.735; r=0.716, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Liver T1 mapping techniques have the potential to distinguish steatotic from nonsteatotic livers, and T1 values seem to have a strong correlation with the liver fat content.

Study on the correlation between urinary retinol-binding protein and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects human health worldwide. Our objective was to explore the correlation between urinary retinol-binding protein (URBP) and NAFLD.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 445 NAFLD patients and 911 healthy controls. The URBP level and other parameters were measured.

Results

The URBP level (expressed by the RBP/creatinine ratio) was higher in the NAFLD patients compared with the non-NAFLD patients. The urinary RBP/creatinine ratio was an independent risk factor for NAFLD after univariate and multivariate regression analysis, with the or values of 2.271 (1.795-2.872, P < 0.001) and 2.338 (1.775-3.080, P < 0.001), respectively. The prevalence of the urinary RBP/creatinine ratio (groups 1, 2, 3, 4) was 20.0%, 17.3%, 27.3%, and 35.4%, respectively (P < 0.001), and the prevalence of NAFLD in the high urinary RBP/creatinine ratio group was significantly higher than that in the low urinary RBP/creatinine ratio group.

Conclusions

Our results revealed that the urinary RBP/creatinine ratio was an independent risk factor for NAFLD.

Development and Validation of a Novel Scoring System for Noninvasive Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Detection in Bariatric Patients

INTRODUCTION

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease covers a broad spectrum. Simple steatosis has usually a benign course while nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress into hepatocellular carcinoma, and cirrhosis. Therefore, differentiating patients with benign steatosis and NASH is crucial. Liver biopsy, the usual gold standard for NASH diagnosis, cannot be used as a screening method due to its associated risks. This is especially problematic for obese patients with a prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in >80% of patients. The aim of this study was therefore to develop and validate a noninvasive NASH screening test in a cohort of high-risk, morbidly obese patients.

METHODS

This prospective study examined diagnostic accuracy in accordance with STARD guidelines. 112 liver biopsies were consecutively assigned to either a training or validation cohort. Using the Bedossa histological scoring system, the cohorts were subdivided into NASH versus NAFLD/No NAFLD. Predictors of NASH were evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A model was then constructed using a backward stepwise logistic regression and evaluated in an independent validation cohort.

RESULTS

53.5% of the patients had NASH and 4 patients had cirrhosis. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 49.8 ± 7.5 kg/m2. Backward stepwise logistic regression identified 4 parameters associated with the presence of NASH: alanin-aminotransferase, albumin, BMI, and triglycerides. The noninvasive NASH detection score (NI-NASH-DS) had an ROC of 0.851 and 0.727 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 77.1% and 88% in the training cohort and 88% and 48% in the validation cohort which was much better than the established noninvasive scores.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The NI-NASH-DS is easy-to-use, inexpensive, and noninvasive and can reliably detect NASH in patients with morbid obesity. Due to its simplicity, it can be used frequently and repeatedly.

Liver Fibrosis in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: From Liver Biopsy to Non-invasive Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Treatment

An increasing percentage of people have or are at risk to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide. NAFLD comprises different stadia going from isolated steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a chronic state of liver inflammation that leads to the transformation of hepatic stellate cells to myofibroblasts. These cells produce extra-cellular matrix that results in liver fibrosis. In a normal situation, fibrogenesis is a wound healing process that preserves tissue integrity. However, sustained and progressive fibrosis can become pathogenic. This process takes many years and is often asymptomatic. Therefore, patients usually present themselves with end-stage liver disease e.g., liver cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease or even hepatocellular carcinoma. Fibrosis has also been identified as the most important predictor of prognosis in patients with NAFLD. Currently, only a minority of patients with liver fibrosis are identified to be at risk and hence referred for treatment. This is not only because the disease is largely asymptomatic, but also due to the fact that currently liver biopsy is still the golden standard for accurate detection of liver fibrosis. However, performing a liver biopsy harbors some risks and requires resources and expertise, hence is not applicable in every clinical setting and is unsuitable for screening. Consequently, different non-invasive diagnostic tools, mainly based on analysis of blood or other specimens or based on imaging have been developed or are in development. In this review, we will first give an overview of the pathogenic mechanisms of the evolution from isolated steatosis to fibrosis. This serves as the basis for the subsequent discussion of the current and future diagnostic biomarkers and anti-fibrotic drugs.

Combined methods of optical spectroscopy and artificial intelligence in the assessment of experimentally induced non-alcoholic fatty liver

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Due to the existing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its relation to the epidemic of obesity in the general population, it is imperative to develop detection and evaluation methods of the early stages of the disease with improved efficacy over the current diagnostic approaches. We aimed to obtain an improved diagnosis, combining methods of optical spectroscopy -diffuse reflectance and fluorescence- with statistical data analysis applied to detect early stages of NAFLD.

METHODS

Statistical analysis scheme based on quadratic discriminant analysis followed by canonical discriminant analysis were applied to the diffuse reflectance data combined with endogenous fluorescence spectral data excited at one of these wavelengths: 330, 365, 385, 405 or 415 nm. The statistical scheme was also applied to the combinations of fluorescence spectrum (405 nm) with each one of the other fluorescence spectra. Details of the developed software, including the application of machine learning algorithms to the combination of spectral data followed by classification statistical schemes, are discussed.

RESULTS

Steatosis progression was differentiated with little classification error (≤1.3%) by using diffuse reflectance and endogenous fluorescence at different wavelengths. Similar results were obtained using fluorescence at 405 nm and one of the other fluorescence spectra (classification error ≤1.0%). Adding the corresponding areas under the curves to the above combinations of spectra diminished errors to 0.6% and 0.3% or less, respectively. The best results for the compounded reflectance-plus-fluorescence spectra were obtained with fluorescence spectra excited at 415 nm with a total classification error of 0.2%; for the combination of the 405nm-excited fluorescence spectrum with another fluorescence spectrum, the best results were achieved for 385 nm, for which total relative classification error amounted 0.4%. The consideration of the area under the spectral curves further improved both classifiers, reducing the error to 0.0% in both cases.

CONCLUSION

Spectrometric techniques combined with statistical processing are a promising tool to improve steatosis classification through a label free approach. However, statistical schemes here applied, might result complex for the everyday medical practice, the designed software including machine learning algorithms is able to render automatic classification of samples according to their steatosis grade with low error.

Prevalence and Predictors of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Using Multiple Non-Invasive Methods: Data from NHANES III

Objective

Patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are at risk for developing cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. Currently, the definitive gold-standard method of diagnosing NASH is a liver biopsy, an invasive and costly method. Our objective was to compare three non-invasive methods of identifying NASH by using data on 10,007 subjects from NHANES III (1988-1994) to determine the prevalence and variables associated with NASH, as defined by each non-invasive method.

Methods

We used ultrasound data to identify subjects with moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis, of whom we identified the NASH population using either the HAIR score, the NASH liver fat score, or the Gholam score, each of which had been validated with liver biopsy. We performed multinomial logistic regression to compare each NASH population to the normal population (those with no-to-mild hepatic steatosis).

Results

We identified 1136 (9.5%) subjects as having NASH by at least one method and 219 (1.8%) were identified by all 3 methods. Independent of the non-invasive method used, Mexican-Americans (MA) had the highest prevalence of NASH. All three methods identified significant risk factors for NASH (p<0.05), including: elevated waist-to-hip ratio, elevated levels of C-peptide, total cholesterol, or C-reactive protein (CRP).

Conclusion

We conclude that the combined non-invasive methods can help identify candidates with a high likelihood of being diagnosed with NASH. Health care providers can screen people with the combined non-invasive methods for the risk factors and identify candidates for interventions, including exercise and/or referral to biopsy.

Development and validation of a noninvasive clinical scoring system to predict significant fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for significant fibrosis (SF) by assessing physical and laboratory parameters and develop and validate a clinical score and nomogram for the prediction of SF in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 225 patients with histologically confirmed NAFLD who were divided into two cohorts using 10-fold cross validation for model training and validation. The clinical score and nomogram were used to predict the NAFLD outcome.

RESULTS

The model for predicting SF (stage ≥ 2) including the free T4/free T3 ratio, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), percentage of appendicular skeletal muscle mass and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level in the training and validation cohorts yielded an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.79 and 0.78, respectively. The AUROC of the combined clinical score for the prediction of SF was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.75-0.89) at a cutoff value of 3 points, with a sensitivity (SE) of 77.19%, specificity (SP) of 82.88%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 63.77%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 90.30%. The nomogram had good performance in quantitatively predicting the risk probability of SF.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that a noninvasive clinical scoring system using easily available physical and laboratory variables can identify patients with NAFLD with or without SF with a high degree of accuracy. Application of this system may decrease the need for staging liver biopsy specimens and allow early identification and intervention in these high-risk patients.

The Role of Elastography in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The most common liver disease in developing countries is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This involves the abnormal accumulation of lipids in the liver, the pathogenesis of the disease being related to dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Most often, the diagnosis of NAFLD is incidental, when performing routine blood tests or when performing a transabdominal ultrasound. The NAFLD spectrum ranges from simple forms of hepatic steatosis to the most advanced form of the disease, steatohepatitis (NASH), which in evolution can cause inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis of the liver and even liver cancer. For the evaluation of the prognosis and the clinical evolution, the most important parameter to define is the degree of liver fibrosis. Currently, the gold standard remains the liver biopsy, the differentiation between NAFLD and NASH being made only on the basis of histological analysis. However, liver biopsy is an invasive procedure, with numerous risks such as bleeding, lesions of the other organs and complications related to anesthesia, which significantly reduces its widespread use. Moreover, the risk of a false negative result and the increased costs of the procedure further limits its use in current practice. For this reason, non-invasive methods of evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis have gained ground in recent years. Imaging techniques such as elastography have shown promising results in evaluating and staging NAFLD. The aim of this article is to review the current status of the non-invasive tests for the assessment of NAFLD with a focus on the ultrasound-based elastography techniques.