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Han J, Lee C, Hur J, Jung Y. Current Therapeutic Options and Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Alcoholic Liver Disease. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010022. [PMID: 36611816 PMCID: PMC9818513 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a globally prevalent chronic liver disease caused by chronic or binge consumption of alcohol. The therapeutic efficiency of current therapies for ALD is limited, and there is no FDA-approved therapy for ALD at present. Various strategies targeting pathogenic events in the progression of ALD are being investigated in preclinical and clinical trials. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising candidate for ALD treatment and have been tested in several clinical trials. MSC-released factors have captured attention, as they have the same therapeutic function as MSCs. Herein, we focus on current therapeutic options, recently proposed strategies, and their limitations in ALD treatment. Also, we review the therapeutic effects of MSCs and those of MSC-related secretory factors on ALD. Although accumulating evidence suggests the therapeutic potential of MSCs and related factors in ALD, the mechanisms underlying their actions in ALD have not been well studied. Further investigations of the detailed mechanisms underlying the therapeutic role of MSCs in ALD are required to expand MSC therapies to clinical applications. This review provides information on current or possible treatments for ALD and contributes to our understanding of the development of effective and safe treatments for ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsol Han
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanbin Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hur
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- PNU GRAND Convergence Medical Science Education Research Center, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (Y.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-8074 (J.H.); +82-51-510-2262 (Y.J.)
| | - Youngmi Jung
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (Y.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-8074 (J.H.); +82-51-510-2262 (Y.J.)
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Bhavsar-Burke I, Jansson-Knodell CL, Gilmore AC, Crabb DW. Review article: the role of nutrition in alcohol-associated liver disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2021; 53:1268-1276. [PMID: 33896017 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition is a commonly encountered issue in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease. The role of nutritional supplementation in the management of alcohol-associated liver disease is integral to patient outcomes-it has been shown to decrease rates of hepatic encephalopathy, improve outcomes post-liver transplant, reduce 90-day hospital readmissions and lower mortality. Despite these benefits, many studies have shown nutritional support to be an underutilised tool in the care of patients with alcohol-associated liver disease. AIMS To review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, recommendations for nutritional assessment and supplementation, as well as future directions for research of the relationship between nutrition and alcohol-associated liver disease. METHODS A literature search was conducted via PubMed using MeSH terms to inform this narrative review. RESULTS Decreased dietary intake, socioeconomic status, impaired absorption of nutrients and increased free radical species are implicated in the pathophysiology of malnutrition in alcohol-associated liver disease. CONCLUSIONS Malnutrition is common in alcohol-associated liver disease, and physicians should be aware of its association with poor clinical outcomes. Routine nutritional assessment, involvement of a dietician and nutritional supplementation are recommended to improve clinical outcomes in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Bhavsar-Burke
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Claire L Jansson-Knodell
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ashley C Gilmore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - David W Crabb
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Emami MR, Jamshidi S, Zarezadeh M, Khorshidi M, Olang B, Sajadi Hezaveh Z, Sohouli M, Aryaeian N. Can vitamin E supplementation affect obesity indices? A systematic review and meta-analysis of twenty-four randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr 2021; 40:3201-3209. [PMID: 33632535 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several mechanisms have been proposed for the effect of vitamin E on weight loss. Yet various interventional studies with wide ranges of doses and durations have reported contradictory results. METHODS Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched up to December 2020. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect method. Effect size was presented as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 index. In order to identification of potential sources of heterogeneity, predefined subgroup and meta regression analyses was conducted. RESULTS A total of 24 studies with 33 data sets were included. There was no significant effect of vitamin E on weight (WMD: 0.15, 95% CI: -1.35 to 1.65, P = 0.847), body mass index (BMI) (WMD = 0.04, 95% CI: -0.29 to 0.37, P = 0.815), and waist circumference (WC) (WMD = -0.19 kg, 95% CI: -2.06 to 1.68, P = 0.842), respectively. However, subgroup analysis revealed that vitamin E supplementation in studies conducted on participants with normal BMI (18.5-24.9) had increasing impact on BMI (P = 0.047). CONCLUSION There was no significant effect of vitamin E supplementation on weight, BMI and WC. However, vitamin E supplementation might be associated with increasing BMI in people with normal BMI (18.5-24.9).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Emami
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sanaz Jamshidi
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meysam Zarezadeh
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Nutrition Research Center, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Masoud Khorshidi
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Beheshteh Olang
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Sajadi Hezaveh
- Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Naheed Aryaeian
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Wu J, Meng QH. Current understanding of the metabolism of micronutrients in chronic alcoholic liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:4567-4578. [PMID: 32884217 PMCID: PMC7445863 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i31.4567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains an important health problem worldwide. Perturbation of micronutrients has been broadly reported to be a common characteristic in patients with ALD, given the fact that micronutrients often act as composition or coenzymes of many biochemical enzymes responsible for the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cell proliferation. Mapping the metabolic pattern and the function of these micronutrients is a prerequisite before targeted intervention can be delivered in clinical practice. Recent years have registered a significant improvement in our understanding of the role of micronutrients on the pathogenesis and progression of ALD. However, how and to what extent these micronutrients are involved in the pathophysiology of ALD remains largely unknown. In the current study, we provide a review of recent studies that investigated the imbalance of micronutrients in patients with ALD with a focus on zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, selenium, vitamin D and vitamin E, and determine how disturbances in micronutrients relates to the pathophysiology of ALD. Overall, zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin E uniformly exhibited a deficiency, and iron demonstrated an elevated trend. While for copper, both an elevation and deficiency were observed from existing literature. More importantly, we also highlight several challenges in terms of low sample size, study design discrepancies, sample heterogeneity across studies, and the use of machine learning approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Qing-Hua Meng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine of Liver Disease, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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Abstract
Malnutrition is a change in body composition owing to disordered nutrition associated with a decrease in function and poor clinical outcomes. Malnutrition can result from overnutrition, undernutrition and inflammatory activity. Patients with alcoholic liver disease are at increased risk for malnutrition. In this article, we discuss the different methods used to assess malnutrition, prevalence of malnutrition, potential mechanisms underlying malnutrition, and its treatments in patients with alcoholic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Styskel
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yamini Natarajan
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Morry J, Ngamcherdtrakul W, Yantasee W. Oxidative stress in cancer and fibrosis: Opportunity for therapeutic intervention with antioxidant compounds, enzymes, and nanoparticles. Redox Biol 2017; 11:240-253. [PMID: 28012439 PMCID: PMC5198743 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress, mainly contributed by reactive oxygen species (ROS), has been implicated in pathogenesis of several diseases. We review two primary examples; fibrosis and cancer. In fibrosis, ROS promote activation and proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, activating TGF-β pathway in an autocrine manner. In cancer, ROS account for its genomic instability, resistance to apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Importantly, ROS trigger cancer cell invasion through invadopodia formation as well as extravasation into a distant metastasis site. Use of antioxidant supplements, enzymes, and inhibitors for ROS-generating NADPH oxidases (NOX) is a logical therapeutic intervention for fibrosis and cancer. We review such attempts, progress, and challenges. Lastly, we review how nanoparticles with inherent antioxidant activity can also be a promising therapeutic option, considering their additional feature as a delivery platform for drugs, genes, and imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingga Morry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Worapol Ngamcherdtrakul
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA; PDX Pharmaceuticals, LLC, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Wassana Yantasee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA; PDX Pharmaceuticals, LLC, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Buzzetti E, Kalafateli M, Thorburn D, Davidson BR, Thiele M, Gluud LL, Del Giovane C, Askgaard G, Krag A, Tsochatzis E, Gurusamy KS. Pharmacological interventions for alcoholic liver disease (alcohol-related liver disease): an attempted network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 3:CD011646. [PMID: 28368093 PMCID: PMC6464309 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011646.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-related liver disease is due to excessive alcohol consumption. It includes a spectrum of liver diseases such as alcohol-related fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. Mortality associated with alcoholic hepatitis is high. The optimal pharmacological treatment of alcoholic hepatitis and other alcohol-related liver disease remains controversial. OBJECTIVES To assess the comparative benefits and harms of different pharmacological interventions in the management of alcohol-related liver disease through a network meta-analysis and to generate rankings of the available pharmacological interventions according to their safety and efficacy in order to identify potential treatments. However, even in the subgroup of participants when the potential effect modifiers appeared reasonably similar across comparisons, there was evidence of inconsistency by one or more methods of assessment of inconsistency. Therefore, we did not report the results of the network meta-analysis and reported the comparative benefits and harms of different interventions using standard Cochrane methodology. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and randomised controlled trials registers until February 2017 to identify randomised clinical trials on pharmacological treatments for alcohol-related liver diseases. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials (irrespective of language, blinding, or publication status) including participants with alcohol-related liver disease. We excluded trials that included participants who had previously undergone liver transplantation and those with co-existing chronic viral diseases. We considered any of the various pharmacological interventions compared with each other or with placebo or no intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently identified trials and independently extracted data. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and rate ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using both fixed-effect and random-effects models based on available-participant analysis with Review Manager. We assessed risk of bias according to Cochrane, controlled risk of random errors with Trial Sequential Analysis, and assessed the quality of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We identified a total of 81 randomised clinical trials. All the trials were at high risk of bias, and the overall quality of the evidence was low or very low for all outcomes. Alcoholic hepatitisFifty randomised clinical trials included 4484 participants with alcoholic hepatitis. The period of follow-up ranged from one to 12 months. Because of concerns about transitivity assumption, we did not perform the network meta-analysis. None of the active interventions showed any improvement in any of the clinical outcomes reported in the trials, which includes mortality (at various time points), cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, liver transplantation. None of the trials reported health-related quality of life or incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Severe alcoholic hepatitisOf the trials on alcoholic hepatitis, 19 trials (2545 participants) included exclusively participants with severe alcoholic hepatitis (Maddrey Discriminat Function > 32). The period of follow-up ranged from one to 12 months. There was no alteration in the conclusions when only people with severe alcoholic hepatitis were included in the analysis. SOURCE OF FUNDING Eleven trials were funded by parties with vested interest in the results. Sixteen trials were funded by parties without vested interest in the results. The source of funding was not reported in 23 trials. Other alcohol-related liver diseasesThirty-one randomised clinical trials included 3695 participants with other alcohol-related liver diseases (with a wide spectrum of alcohol-related liver diseases). The period of follow-up ranged from one to 48 months. The mortality at maximal follow-up was lower in the propylthiouracil group versus the no intervention group (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.78; 423 participants; 2 trials; low-quality evidence). However, this result is based on two small trials at high risk of bias and further confirmation in larger trials of low risk of bias is necessary to recommend propylthiouracil routinely in people with other alcohol-related liver diseases. The mortality at maximal follow-up was higher in the ursodeoxycholic acid group versus the no intervention group (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.90; 226 participants; 1 trial; low-quality evidence). SOURCE OF FUNDING Twelve trials were funded by parties with vested interest in the results. Three trials were funded by parties without vested interest in the results. The source of funding was not reported in 16 trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Because of very low-quality evidence, there is uncertainty in the effectiveness of any pharmacological intervention versus no intervention in people with alcoholic hepatitis or severe alcoholic hepatitis. Based on low-quality evidence, propylthiouracil may decrease mortality in people with other alcohol-related liver diseases. However, these results must be confirmed by adequately powered trials with low risk of bias before propylthiouracil can be considered effective.Future randomised clinical trials should be conducted with approximately 200 participants in each group and follow-up of one to two years in order to compare the benefits and harms of different treatments in people with alcoholic hepatitis. Randomised clinical trials should include health-related quality of life and report serious adverse events separately from adverse events. Future randomised clinical trials should have a low risk of bias and low risk of random errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Buzzetti
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentreLondonUK
| | - Maria Kalafateli
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentreLondonUK
| | - Douglas Thorburn
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentreLondonUK
| | - Brian R Davidson
- Royal Free Campus, UCL Medical SchoolDepartment of SurgeryPond StreetLondonUKNW3 2QG
| | - Maja Thiele
- Odense University HospitalDepartment of Gastroenterology and HepatologySdr. Boulevard 29, Entrance 126OdenseDenmark5000
| | - Lise Lotte Gluud
- Copenhagen University Hospital HvidovreGastrounit, Medical DivisionKettegaards AlleHvidovreDenmark2650
| | - Cinzia Del Giovane
- University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaCochrane Italy, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health MedicineVia del Pozzo 71ModenaItaly41124
| | - Gro Askgaard
- RigshospitaletDepartment of HepatologyBlegdamsvej 9København ØDenmark2100
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Odense University HospitalDepartment of Gastroenterology and HepatologySdr. Boulevard 29, indgang 126Odense CDenmark5000
| | - Emmanuel Tsochatzis
- Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive HealthSheila Sherlock Liver CentreLondonUK
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Morry J, Ngamcherdtrakul W, Gu S, Goodyear SM, Castro DJ, Reda MM, Sangvanich T, Yantasee W. Dermal delivery of HSP47 siRNA with NOX4-modulating mesoporous silica-based nanoparticles for treating fibrosis. Biomaterials 2015; 66:41-52. [PMID: 26196532 PMCID: PMC4522385 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases such as scleroderma have been linked to increased oxidative stress and upregulation of pro-fibrotic genes. Recent work suggests a role of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) in inducing excessive collagen synthesis, leading to fibrotic diseases. Herein, we elucidate the relationship between NOX4 and HSP47 in fibrogenesis and propose to modulate them altogether as a new strategy to treat fibrosis. We developed a nanoparticle platform consisting of polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating on a 50-nm mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSNP) core. The nanoparticles effectively delivered small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HSP47 (siHSP47) in an in vitro model of fibrosis based on TGF-β stimulated fibroblasts. The MSNP core also imparted an antioxidant property by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequently reducing NOX4 levels in the in vitro fibrogenesis model. The nanoparticle was far superior to n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) at modulating pro-fibrotic markers. In vivo evaluation was performed in a bleomycin-induced scleroderma mouse model, which shares many similarities to human scleroderma disease. Intradermal administration of siHSP47-nanoparticles effectively reduced HSP47 protein expression in skin to normal level. In addition, the antioxidant MSNP also played a prominent role in reducing the pro-fibrotic markers, NOX4, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen type I (COL I), as well as skin thickness of the mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingga Morry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Worapol Ngamcherdtrakul
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Shenda Gu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Shaun M Goodyear
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - David J Castro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA; PDX Pharmaceuticals, LLC, 24 Independence Ave, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, USA
| | - Moataz M Reda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Thanapon Sangvanich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Wassana Yantasee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA; PDX Pharmaceuticals, LLC, 24 Independence Ave, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, USA.
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Rathi S, Dhiman RK. Hepatobiliary Quiz (Answers)-15 (2015). J Clin Exp Hepatol 2015; 5:269-71. [PMID: 26628847 PMCID: PMC4632104 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Radha K. Dhiman
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
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Restellini S, Alaei M, Matthes T, Kherad O, Moschetta A, Spahr L. Effect of hydrosoluble vitamin E on erythrocyte membrane lipid composition in patients with advanced cirrhosis: An open-label pilot trial. Hepatol Res 2015; 45:890-7. [PMID: 25286983 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM Deficiency in vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, participates in abnormal erythrocyte membrane lipids, structural alterations and hemolysis in advanced cirrhosis. Poor absorption of fat-soluble vitamins limits full correction of deficiency with standard formulations in cirrhosis with cholestasis. The aim of the present study was to examine safety and effects of tocofersolan, a water-soluble derivative of vitamin E, on erythrocyte membrane lipids and anemia in patients with biopsy-proven advanced cirrhosis, vitamin E deficiency and hemolysis. METHODS Twenty patients (age, 53 ± 10 years; Child class B/C, 8/12), with low plasma vitamin E, chronic anemia and hemolysis, received oral tocofersolan 700 mg/day for 4 weeks. Erythrocyte membrane lipid composition (cholesterol [Chol], phospholipids [Phosph]) was determined by enzymatic assays. Total and conjugated bilirubin, hemoglobin and vitamin E were measured. RESULTS Abdominal pain occurred in one patient. Five patients received blood transfusions due to severe anemia. After 4 weeks, both Chol and Phosph decreased, but changes were not significant. Both plasma vitamin E (P < 0.05) and hemoglobin (P < 0.05) increased, together with a decrease in total (P < 0.05) and conjugated (P < 0.05) bilirubin. CONCLUSION In patients with advanced cirrhosis, low vitamin E plasma levels and chronic anemia with hemolysis, oral tocofersolan was overall well tolerated, but did not affect erythrocyte membrane lipid composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Restellini
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mahnaz Alaei
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Matthes
- Department of Hematology, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Omar Kherad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital La Tour, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Laurent Spahr
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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Bémeur C, Butterworth RF. Reprint of: Nutrition in the Management of Cirrhosis and its Neurological Complications. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2015; 5:S131-40. [PMID: 26041952 PMCID: PMC4442848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2015.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition is a common feature of chronic liver diseases that is often associated with a poor prognosis including worsening of clinical outcome, neuropsychiatric complications as well as outcome following liver transplantation. Nutritional assessment in patients with cirrhosis is challenging owing to confounding factors related to liver failure. The objectives of nutritional intervention in cirrhotic patients are the support of liver regeneration, the prevention or correction of specific nutritional deficiencies and the prevention and/or treatment of the complications of liver disease per se and of liver transplantation. Nutritional recommendations target the optimal supply of adequate substrates related to requirements linked to energy, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals. Some issues relating to malnutrition in chronic liver disease remain to be addressed including the development of an appropriate well-validated nutritional assessment tool, the identification of mechanistic targets or therapy for sarcopenia, the development of nutritional recommendations for obese cirrhotic patients and liver-transplant recipients and the elucidation of the roles of vitamin A hepatotoxicity, as well as the impact of deficiencies in riboflavin and zinc on clinical outcomes. Early identification and treatment of malnutrition in chronic liver disease has the potential to lead to better disease outcome as well as prevention of the complications of chronic liver disease and improved transplant outcomes.
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Key Words
- AAAs, aromatic amino acids
- BCAAs, branched-chain amino acids
- BMI, body mass index
- CNS, central nervous system
- CONUT, controlling nutritional status
- HE, hepatic encephalopathy
- ISHEN, International Society for Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen metabolism
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NASH, non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis
- PNI, prognostic nutritional index
- complications
- hepatic encephalopathy
- liver disease
- liver transplantation
- nutritional status
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Bémeur
- Département de nutrition, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Unité de recherche en sciences neurologiques, Hôpital Saint-Luc (CHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Roger F. Butterworth
- Unité de recherche en sciences neurologiques, Hôpital Saint-Luc (CHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Bémeur C, Butterworth RF. Nutrition in the management of cirrhosis and its neurological complications. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2014; 4:141-50. [PMID: 25755550 PMCID: PMC4116712 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2013.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition is a common feature of chronic liver diseases that is often associated with a poor prognosis including worsening of clinical outcome, neuropsychiatric complications as well as outcome following liver transplantation. Nutritional assessment in patients with cirrhosis is challenging owing to confounding factors related to liver failure. The objectives of nutritional intervention in cirrhotic patients are the support of liver regeneration, the prevention or correction of specific nutritional deficiencies and the prevention and/or treatment of the complications of liver disease per se and of liver transplantation. Nutritional recommendations target the optimal supply of adequate substrates related to requirements linked to energy, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals. Some issues relating to malnutrition in chronic liver disease remain to be addressed including the development of an appropriate well-validated nutritional assessment tool, the identification of mechanistic targets or therapy for sarcopenia, the development of nutritional recommendations for obese cirrhotic patients and liver-transplant recipients and the elucidation of the roles of vitamin A hepatotoxicity, as well as the impact of deficiencies in riboflavin and zinc on clinical outcomes. Early identification and treatment of malnutrition in chronic liver disease has the potential to lead to better disease outcome as well as prevention of the complications of chronic liver disease and improved transplant outcomes.
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Key Words
- AAAs, aromatic amino acids
- BCAAs, branched-chain amino acids
- BMI, body mass index
- CNS, central nervous system
- CONUT, controlling nutritional status
- HE, hepatic encephalopathy
- ISHEN, International Society for Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen metabolism
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NASH, non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis
- PNI, prognostic nutritional index
- complications
- hepatic encephalopathy
- liver disease
- liver transplantation
- nutritional status
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Bémeur
- Département de nutrition, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada ; Unité de recherche en sciences neurologiques, Hôpital Saint-Luc (CHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Roger F Butterworth
- Unité de recherche en sciences neurologiques, Hôpital Saint-Luc (CHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Effects of vitamins E and C supplementation on hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity and tissue injury associated with ethanol ingestion in malnourished rats. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2014; 67:118-37. [PMID: 24678089 DOI: 10.1016/j.curtheres.2006.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2006] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidative stress has been associated with tissue injury in alcoholic liver disease. Although this close association is well known, whether prevention of oxidative stress retards tissue injury has not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation with vitamins E and C on antioxidant enzyme status and histologic changes in hepatic tissue in a rat model of alcoholic liver disease. METHODS This 8-week, blinded, controlled study was conducted at the Department of Internal Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey. Weanling albino female protein-deficient Wistar rats weighing ∼200 g were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups: (1) liquid diet+ethanol+vitamin E 15 mg/kg PO (LDetvitE); (2) liquid diet+ethanol+vitamin C 10 mg/kg PO (LDetvitC); (3) liquid diet+ethanol+vitamin E 15 mg/kg+vitamin C 10 mg/kg PO (LDetvitEC); (4) liquid diet+ethanol (LDet); (5) liquid diet+isocaloric sucrose (LDS); and (6) normal diet (control). The primary end point of the study was to determine whether antioxidant vitamin E/C combination therapy prevents development of hepatic fibrosis (ie, cirrhosis in a period of 1 year). After being euthanized at week 8, the rats were weighed, and their livers and spleens were weighed. Hepatic tissue specimens were histopathologically assessed according to the Brunt system. Hepatic tissue glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were determined. Biochemical tissue collagen concentrations were measured to determine the presence of hepatic fibrosis. RESULTS Seventy-two rats were included in the study (mean [SE] weight, 205 [21] g) (12 rats per group). Initially planned to last 48 weeks, the study was terminated at 8 weeks due to the death of 3 rats in each group (except the LDS group and control group). The relative liver weight was significantly lower in the LDetvitEC group compared with that in the LDet group (mean [SE], 3.7% [0.5%] vs 4.8% [0.9%]; P<0.01). Mean (SE) hepatic tissue glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly reduced in the LDet-treated rats compared with controls (1.2 [0.2] vs 2.6 [0.3] U/mg protein; P<0.001). The groups that received supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamins E and C combined had significantly more hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity (mean [SE], 2.1 [0.5], 2.5 [0.2], and 2.6 [0.7] U/mg protein, respectively) compared with the LDet group (1.2 [0.2] U/mg protein) (all, P<0.001). No significant between-group differences in hepatic superoxide dismutase or catalase activities were found. Compared with controls (14.5 [1.9] μg collagen/mg protein), the mean (SE) histologic hepatic collagen concentration was significantly higher in all groups (19.2 [1.2], 19.5 [3.3], 18.5 [3.0], 25.9 [3.3], and 21.6 [1.5] μg collagen/mg protein in the LDetvitE, LDetvitC, LDetvitEC, LDet, and LDS groups, respectively; P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). Compared with the LDet group, the mean hepatic collagen concentration was significantly lower in the LDetvitE, LDetvitC, and LDetvitEC groups (P<0.01, P<0.05, and P<0.01, respectively). The LDetvitEC group had a significantly lower mean (SE) hepatic inflammatory score compared with the LDet group (0.8 [0.1] vs 1.3 [0.2]; P<0.05). The LDetvitEC group had a significantly lower mean (SE) hepatic necrosis score compared with that in the LDet group (1.5 [0.2] vs 2.4 [0.3]; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study in protein-deficient rats fed with a high-fat liquid diet suggest that supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin C, and a combination of vitamins E and C was associated with decreased ethanol-induced hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity and hepatic fibrosis, and that supplementation with vitamins E and C might have attenuated the development of hepatomegaly and hepatic necroinflammation, whereas this result was not found in the group given a liquid diet and ethanol in this 8-week study. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2006;67:118-137) Copyright © 2006 Excerpta Medica, Inc.
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Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud C. Meta-regression analyses, meta-analyses, and trial sequential analyses of the effects of supplementation with beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E singly or in different combinations on all-cause mortality: do we have evidence for lack of harm? PLoS One 2013; 8:e74558. [PMID: 24040282 PMCID: PMC3765487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2012] [Accepted: 08/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Evidence shows that antioxidant supplements may increase mortality. Our aims were to assess whether different doses of beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E affect mortality in primary and secondary prevention randomized clinical trials with low risk of bias. Methods The present study is based on our 2012 Cochrane systematic review analyzing beneficial and harmful effects of antioxidant supplements in adults. Using random-effects meta-analyses, meta-regression analyses, and trial sequential analyses, we examined the association between beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E, and mortality according to their daily doses and doses below and above the recommended daily allowances (RDA). Results We included 53 randomized trials with low risk of bias (241,883 participants, aged 18 to 103 years, 44.6% women) assessing beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E. Meta-regression analysis showed that the dose of vitamin A was significantly positively associated with all-cause mortality. Beta-carotene in a dose above 9.6 mg significantly increased mortality (relative risk (RR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 to 1.09, I2 = 13%). Vitamin A in a dose above the RDA (> 800 µg) did not significantly influence mortality (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.19, I2 = 53%). Vitamin E in a dose above the RDA (> 15 mg) significantly increased mortality (RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05, I2 = 0%). Doses below the RDAs did not affect mortality, but data were sparse. Conclusions Beta-carotene and vitamin E in doses higher than the RDA seem to significantly increase mortality, whereas we lack information on vitamin A. Dose of vitamin A was significantly associated with increased mortality in meta-regression. We lack information on doses below the RDA. Background All essential compounds to stay healthy cannot be synthesized in our body. Therefore, these compounds must be taken through our diet or obtained in other ways [1]. Oxidative stress has been suggested to cause a variety of diseases [2]. Therefore, it is speculated that antioxidant supplements could have a potential role in preventing diseases and death. Despite the fact that a normal diet in high-income countries may provide sufficient amounts of antioxidants [3,4], more than one third of adults regularly take antioxidant supplements [5,6].
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Bjelakovic
- The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Niš, Serbia
- * E-mail:
| | - Dimitrinka Nikolova
- The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Gluud
- The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gallego-Durán R, Ampuero J, Funuyet J, Romero-Gómez M. [Alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: who is affected and what can we do for them?]. GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA 2013; 36:587-96. [PMID: 24011648 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The most common causes of steatohepatitis are alcohol intake and metabolic disorders. Several methods based on biochemical determinations (carbohydrate deficient transferrin) and questionnaires (AUDIT, CAGE, MALE) are useful for detecting surreptitious alcohol intake. Although new non-invasive methods are under development, based both on lipidomics (Owl-Liver(®)) and on biochemical determinations and anthropometric parameters (NAFLD Fibrosis score) or imaging methods (DeMILI NASH-MRi(®)), none has been proposed as definitive and the gold standard continues to be liver biopsy. The pathogenesis of alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis shares some elements such as insulin resistance, cytochrome CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress, adiponutrin and its PNPLA3 gene, and the microbiota. The first-line treatment consists of lifestyle changes, including giving up alcohol, diet and exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Gallego-Durán
- Unidad Médico-Quirúrgica de Enfermedades Digestivas y CIBERehd, Hospital Universitario de Valme, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España
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Ulbricht C, Basch E, Chao W, Conquer J, Costa D, Culwell S, Flanagan K, Guilford J, Hammerness P, Hashmi S, Isaac R, Rusie E, Serrano JMG, Ulbricht C, Vora M, Windsor RC, Woloszyn M, Zhou S. An evidence-based systematic review of vitamin A by the natural standard research collaboration. J Diet Suppl 2013; 9:299-416. [PMID: 23157584 DOI: 10.3109/19390211.2012.736721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
An evidence-based systematic review of vitamin A by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the scientific literature using a validated and reproducible grading rationale. This paper includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.
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Abstract
The liver plays an important role in the metabolism, synthesis, storage, and absorption of nutrients. Patients with cirrhosis are prone to nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition, with a higher prevalence among patients with decompensated disease. Mechanisms of nutritional deficiencies in patients with liver disease are not completely understood and probably multifactorial. Malnutrition among patients with cirrhosis or alcoholic liver disease correlates with poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, frequent hospitalizations, complications, mortality, poor graft and patient survival after liver transplantation, and economic burden. Physicians, including gastroenterologists and hepatologists, should be conversant with assessment and management of malnutrition and nutritional supplementation.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Weight loss and muscle wasting are commonly found in patients with end-stage liver disease. Since there is an association between malnutrition and poor clinical outcome, such patients (or those at risk of becoming malnourished) are often given parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, or oral nutritional supplements. These interventions have costs and adverse effects, so it is important to prove that their use results in improved morbidity or mortality, or both. OBJECTIVES To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, and oral nutritional supplements on the mortality and morbidity of patients with underlying liver disease. SEARCH METHODS The following computerised databases were searched: the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index Expanded (January 2012). In addition, reference lists of identified trials and review articles and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched. Trials identified in a previous systematic handsearch of Index Medicus were also considered. Handsearches of a number of medical journals, including abstracts from annual meetings, were done. Experts in the field and manufacturers of nutrient formulations were contacted for potential references. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials (parallel or cross-over design) comparing groups of patients with any underlying liver disease who received, or did not receive, enteral or parenteral nutrition or oral nutritional supplements were identified without restriction on date, language, or publication status. Six categories of trials were separately considered: medical or surgical patients receiving parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, or supplements. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The following data were sought in each report: date of publication; geographical location; inclusion and exclusion criteria; the type of nutritional support and constitution of the nutrient formulation; duration of treatment; any nutrition provided to the controls; other interventions provided to the patients; number, sex, age of the study participants; hospital or outpatient status; underlying liver disease; risks of bias (sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome reporting, intention-to-treat analysis, selective outcome reporting, others (vested interests, baseline imbalance, early stopping)); mortality; hepatic morbidity (development or resolution of ascites or hepatic encephalopathy, occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding); quality of life scores; adverse events; infections; lengths of stay in the hospital or intensive care unit; costs; serum bilirubin; postoperative complications (surgical trials only); and nutritional outcomes (nitrogen balance, anthropometric measurements, body weight). The primary outcomes of this review were mortality, hepatic morbidity, quality of life, and adverse events. Data were extracted in duplicate; differences were resolved by consensus.Data for each outcome were combined in a meta-analysis (RevMan 5.1). Estimates were reported using risk ratios or mean differences, along with the 95% confidence intervals (CI). Both fixed-effect and random-effects models were employed; fixed-effect models were reported unless one model, but not the other, found a significant difference (in which case both were reported). Heterogeneity was assessed by the Chi(2) test and I(2) statistic. Subgroup analyses were planned to assess specific liver diseases (alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma), acute or chronic liver diseases, and trials employing standard or branched-chain amino acid formulations (for the hepatic encephalopathy outcomes). Sensitivity analyses were planned to compare trials at low and high risk of bias and trials reported as full papers. The following exploratory analyses were undertaken: 1) medical and surgical trials were combined for each nutritional intervention; 2) intention-to-treat analyses in which missing dichotomous data were imputed as best- and worst-case scenarios; 3) all trials were combined to assess mortality; 4) effects were estimated by absolute risk reductions. MAIN RESULTS Thirty-seven trials were identified; only one was at low risk of bias. Most of the analyses failed to find any significant differences. The significant findings that were found were the following: 1) icteric medical patients receiving parenteral nutrition had a reduced serum bilirubin (mean difference (MD) -2.86 mg%, 95% CI -3.82 mg% to -1.89 mg%, 3 trials) and better nitrogen balance (MD 3.60 g/day, 95% CI 0.86 g/day to 6.34 g/day, 1 trial); 2) surgical patients receiving parenteral nutrition had a reduced incidence of postoperative ascites only in the fixed-effect model (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.87, 2 trials, I(2) = 70%) and one trial demonstrated a reduction in postoperative complications, especially infections (pneumonia in particular); 3) enteral nutrition may have improved nitrogen balance in medical patients (although a combination of the three trials was not possible); 4) one surgical trial of enteral nutrition found a reduction in postoperative complications; and 5) oral nutritional supplements had several effects in medical patients (reduced occurrence of ascites (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.88, 3 trials), possibly (significant differences only seen in the fixed-effect model) reduced rates of infection (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.99, 3 trials, I(2) = 14%), and improved resolution of hepatic encephalopathy (RR 3.75, 95% CI 1.15 to 12.18, 2 trials, I(2) = 79%). While there was no overall effect of the supplements on mortality in medical patients, the one low risk of bias trial found an increased risk of death in the recipients of the supplements. Three trials of supplements in surgical patients failed to show any significant differences. No new information was derived from the various subgroup or sensitivity analyses. The exploratory analyses were also unrevealing except for a logical conundrum. There was no difference in mortality when all of the trials were combined, but the trials of parenteral nutrition found that those recipients had better survival (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.98, 10 trials). Either the former observation represents a type II error or the latter one a type I error. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The data do not compellingly justify the routine use of parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, or oral nutritional supplements in patients with liver disease. The fact that all but one of these trials were at high risks of bias even casts doubt on the few benefits that were demonstrated. Data from well-designed and executed randomised trials that include an untreated control group are needed before any such recommendation can be made. Future trials have to be powered adequately to see small, but clinically important, differences.
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Koretz RL, Avenell A, Lipman TO. Nutritional support for liver disease. THE COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2012. [PMID: 22592729 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd008344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Weight loss and muscle wasting are commonly found in patients with end-stage liver disease. Since there is an association between malnutrition and poor clinical outcome, such patients (or those at risk of becoming malnourished) are often given parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, or oral nutritional supplements. These interventions have costs and adverse effects, so it is important to prove that their use results in improved morbidity or mortality, or both. OBJECTIVES To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, and oral nutritional supplements on the mortality and morbidity of patients with underlying liver disease. SEARCH METHODS The following computerised databases were searched: the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index Expanded (January 2012). In addition, reference lists of identified trials and review articles and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched. Trials identified in a previous systematic handsearch of Index Medicus were also considered. Handsearches of a number of medical journals, including abstracts from annual meetings, were done. Experts in the field and manufacturers of nutrient formulations were contacted for potential references. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised clinical trials (parallel or cross-over design) comparing groups of patients with any underlying liver disease who received, or did not receive, enteral or parenteral nutrition or oral nutritional supplements were identified without restriction on date, language, or publication status. Six categories of trials were separately considered: medical or surgical patients receiving parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, or supplements. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The following data were sought in each report: date of publication; geographical location; inclusion and exclusion criteria; the type of nutritional support and constitution of the nutrient formulation; duration of treatment; any nutrition provided to the controls; other interventions provided to the patients; number, sex, age of the study participants; hospital or outpatient status; underlying liver disease; risks of bias (sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome reporting, intention-to-treat analysis, selective outcome reporting, others (vested interests, baseline imbalance, early stopping)); mortality; hepatic morbidity (development or resolution of ascites or hepatic encephalopathy, occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding); quality of life scores; adverse events; infections; lengths of stay in the hospital or intensive care unit; costs; serum bilirubin; postoperative complications (surgical trials only); and nutritional outcomes (nitrogen balance, anthropometric measurements, body weight). The primary outcomes of this review were mortality, hepatic morbidity, quality of life, and adverse events. Data were extracted in duplicate; differences were resolved by consensus.Data for each outcome were combined in a meta-analysis (RevMan 5.1). Estimates were reported using risk ratios or mean differences, along with the 95% confidence intervals (CI). Both fixed-effect and random-effects models were employed; fixed-effect models were reported unless one model, but not the other, found a significant difference (in which case both were reported). Heterogeneity was assessed by the Chi(2) test and I(2) statistic. Subgroup analyses were planned to assess specific liver diseases (alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma), acute or chronic liver diseases, and trials employing standard or branched-chain amino acid formulations (for the hepatic encephalopathy outcomes). Sensitivity analyses were planned to compare trials at low and high risk of bias and trials reported as full papers. The following exploratory analyses were undertaken: 1) medical and surgical trials were combined for each nutritional intervention; 2) intention-to-treat analyses in which missing dichotomous data were imputed as best- and worst-case scenarios; 3) all trials were combined to assess mortality; 4) effects were estimated by absolute risk reductions. MAIN RESULTS Thirty-seven trials were identified; only one was at low risk of bias. Most of the analyses failed to find any significant differences. The significant findings that were found were the following: 1) icteric medical patients receiving parenteral nutrition had a reduced serum bilirubin (mean difference (MD) -2.86 mg%, 95% CI -3.82 mg% to -1.89 mg%, 3 trials) and better nitrogen balance (MD 3.60 g/day, 95% CI 0.86 g/day to 6.34 g/day, 1 trial); 2) surgical patients receiving parenteral nutrition had a reduced incidence of postoperative ascites only in the fixed-effect model (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.87, 2 trials, I(2) = 70%) and one trial demonstrated a reduction in postoperative complications, especially infections (pneumonia in particular); 3) enteral nutrition may have improved nitrogen balance in medical patients (although a combination of the three trials was not possible); 4) one surgical trial of enteral nutrition found a reduction in postoperative complications; and 5) oral nutritional supplements had several effects in medical patients (reduced occurrence of ascites (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.88, 3 trials), possibly (significant differences only seen in the fixed-effect model) reduced rates of infection (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.99, 3 trials, I(2) = 14%), and improved resolution of hepatic encephalopathy (RR 3.75, 95% CI 1.15 to 12.18, 2 trials, I(2) = 79%). While there was no overall effect of the supplements on mortality in medical patients, the one low risk of bias trial found an increased risk of death in the recipients of the supplements. Three trials of supplements in surgical patients failed to show any significant differences. No new information was derived from the various subgroup or sensitivity analyses. The exploratory analyses were also unrevealing except for a logical conundrum. There was no difference in mortality when all of the trials were combined, but the trials of parenteral nutrition found that those recipients had better survival (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.98, 10 trials). Either the former observation represents a type II error or the latter one a type I error. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The data do not compellingly justify the routine use of parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, or oral nutritional supplements in patients with liver disease. The fact that all but one of these trials were at high risks of bias even casts doubt on the few benefits that were demonstrated. Data from well-designed and executed randomised trials that include an untreated control group are needed before any such recommendation can be made. Future trials have to be powered adequately to see small, but clinically important, differences.
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Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C. Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012; 2012:CD007176. [PMID: 22419320 PMCID: PMC8407395 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd007176.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our systematic review has demonstrated that antioxidant supplements may increase mortality. We have now updated this review. OBJECTIVES To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in adults. SEARCH METHODS We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, the Science Citation Index Expanded, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science to February 2011. We scanned bibliographies of relevant publications and asked pharmaceutical companies for additional trials. SELECTION CRITERIA We included all primary and secondary prevention randomised clinical trials on antioxidant supplements (beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) versus placebo or no intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three authors extracted data. Random-effects and fixed-effect model meta-analyses were conducted. Risk of bias was considered in order to minimise the risk of systematic errors. Trial sequential analyses were conducted to minimise the risk of random errors. Random-effects model meta-regression analyses were performed to assess sources of intertrial heterogeneity. MAIN RESULTS Seventy-eight randomised trials with 296,707 participants were included. Fifty-six trials including 244,056 participants had low risk of bias. Twenty-six trials included 215,900 healthy participants. Fifty-two trials included 80,807 participants with various diseases in a stable phase. The mean age was 63 years (range 18 to 103 years). The mean proportion of women was 46%. Of the 78 trials, 46 used the parallel-group design, 30 the factorial design, and 2 the cross-over design. All antioxidants were administered orally, either alone or in combination with vitamins, minerals, or other interventions. The duration of supplementation varied from 28 days to 12 years (mean duration 3 years; median duration 2 years). Overall, the antioxidant supplements had no significant effect on mortality in a random-effects model meta-analysis (21,484 dead/183,749 (11.7%) versus 11,479 dead/112,958 (10.2%); 78 trials, relative risk (RR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98 to 1.05) but significantly increased mortality in a fixed-effect model (RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.05). Heterogeneity was low with an I(2)- of 12%. In meta-regression analysis, the risk of bias and type of antioxidant supplement were the only significant predictors of intertrial heterogeneity. Meta-regression analysis did not find a significant difference in the estimated intervention effect in the primary prevention and the secondary prevention trials. In the 56 trials with a low risk of bias, the antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality (18,833 dead/146,320 (12.9%) versus 10,320 dead/97,736 (10.6%); RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07). This effect was confirmed by trial sequential analysis. Excluding factorial trials with potential confounding showed that 38 trials with low risk of bias demonstrated a significant increase in mortality (2822 dead/26,903 (10.5%) versus 2473 dead/26,052 (9.5%); RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.15). In trials with low risk of bias, beta-carotene (13,202 dead/96,003 (13.8%) versus 8556 dead/77,003 (11.1%); 26 trials, RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.09) and vitamin E (11,689 dead/97,523 (12.0%) versus 7561 dead/73,721 (10.3%); 46 trials, RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05) significantly increased mortality, whereas vitamin A (3444 dead/24,596 (14.0%) versus 2249 dead/16,548 (13.6%); 12 trials, RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.18), vitamin C (3637 dead/36,659 (9.9%) versus 2717 dead/29,283 (9.3%); 29 trials, RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.07), and selenium (2670 dead/39,779 (6.7%) versus 1468 dead/22,961 (6.4%); 17 trials, RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.03) did not significantly affect mortality. In univariate meta-regression analysis, the dose of vitamin A was significantly associated with increased mortality (RR 1.0006, 95% CI 1.0002 to 1.001, P = 0.002). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Beta-carotene and vitamin E seem to increase mortality, and so may higher doses of vitamin A. Antioxidant supplements need to be considered as medicinal products and should undergo sufficient evaluation before marketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Bjelakovic
- Department of InternalMedicine,Medical Faculty, University ofNis,Nis, Serbia.
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Singal AK, Jampana SC, Weinman SA. Antioxidants as therapeutic agents for liver disease. Liver Int 2011; 31:1432-48. [PMID: 22093324 PMCID: PMC3228367 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02604.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2010] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is commonly associated with a number of liver diseases and is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), haemochromatosis and Wilson's disease. Antioxidant therapy has thus been considered to have the possibility of beneficial effects in the management of these liver diseases. Despite this promise, antioxidants have produced mixed results in a number of clinical trials of efficacy. This review summarizes the results of clinical trials of antioxidants as sole or adjuvant therapy of chronic hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Overall, the most promising results to date are for vitamin E therapy of NASH but some encouraging results have been obtained with antioxidant therapy of acute alcoholic hepatitis as well. Despite evidence for small reductions of serum alanine aminotransferase, there is as yet no convincing evidence that antioxidant therapy itself is beneficial to patients with chronic hepatitis C. Problems such as small sample size, short follow up duration, inadequate endpoints, failure to demonstrate tissue delivery and antioxidant efficacy, and heterogeneous nature of the 'antioxidant' compounds used have complicated interpretation of results of the clinical studies. These limitations and their implications for future trial design are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani K. Singal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX
| | - Sarat C. Jampana
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX
| | - Steven A. Weinman
- Department of Internal Medicine; University of Kansas Medical Center; Kansas City, KS
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22
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Bjelakovic G, Gluud LL, Nikolova D, Bjelakovic M, Nagorni A, Gluud C. Antioxidant supplements for liver diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011:CD007749. [PMID: 21412909 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd007749.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several liver diseases have been associated with oxidative stress. Accordingly, antioxidants have been suggested as potential therapeutics for various liver diseases. The evidence supporting these suggestions is equivocal. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of antioxidant supplements for patients with liver diseases. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, the Science Citation Index Expanded, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science to January 2011. We scanned bibliographies of relevant publications and asked experts and pharmaceutical companies for additional trials. SELECTION CRITERIA We considered for inclusion randomised trials that compared antioxidant supplements (beta-carotene, vitamin A, C, E, and selenium) versus placebo or no intervention for autoimmune liver diseases, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and cirrhosis (any aetiology). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Four authors independently selected trials for inclusion and extracted data. Outcome measures were all-cause mortality, liver-related mortality, liver-related morbidity, biochemical indices at maximum follow-up in the individual trials as well as adverse events, quality-of-life measures, and cost-effectiveness. For patients with hepatitis B or C we also considered end of treatment and sustained virological response. We conducted random-effects and fixed-effect meta-analyses. Results were presented as relative risks (RR) or mean differences (MD), both with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS Twenty randomised trials with 1225 participants were included. The trials assessed beta-carotene (3 trials), vitamin A (2 trials), vitamin C (9 trials), vitamin E (15 trials), and selenium (8 trials). The majority of the trials had high risk of bias and showed heterogeneity. Overall, the assessed antioxidant supplements had no significant effect on all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 1.19, I(2) = 0%), or liver-related mortality (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.05, I(2) = 37%). Stratification according to the type of liver disease did not affect noticeably the results. Antioxidant supplements significantly increased activity of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (MD 24.21 IU/l, 95% CI 6.67 to 41.75, I(2) = 0%). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence to support or refute antioxidant supplements in patients with liver disease. Antioxidant supplements may increase liver enzyme activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Bjelakovic
- Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 3344, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, and Department of Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Zorana Djindjica 81, Nis, Serbia, 18000
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Gee PT. Unleashing the untold and misunderstood observations on vitamin E. GENES & NUTRITION 2011; 6:5-16. [PMID: 21437026 PMCID: PMC3040795 DOI: 10.1007/s12263-010-0180-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2010] [Accepted: 07/07/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Paradoxically, meta-analysis of human randomized controlled trials revealed that natural but not synthetic α-tocopherol supplementation significantly increases all-cause mortality at 95% confidence interval. The root cause was that natural α-tocopherol supplementation significantly depressed bioavailability of other forms of vitamin E that have better chemo-prevention capability. Meta-analysis outcome demonstrated flaws in the understanding of vitamin E. Reinterpretation of reported data provides plausible explanations to several important observations. While α-tocopherol is almost exclusively secreted in chylomicrons, enterocytes secrete tocotrienols in both chylomicrons and small high-density lipoproteins. Vitamin E secreted in chylomicrons is discriminately repacked by α-tocopherol transfer protein into nascent very low-density lipoproteins in the liver. Circulating very low-density lipoproteins undergo delipidation to form intermediate-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins. Uptake of vitamin E in intermediate-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins takes place at various tissues via low-density lipoproteins receptor-mediated endocytosis. Small high-density lipoproteins can deliver tocotrienols upon maturation to peripheral tissues independent of α-tocopherol transfer protein action, and uptake of vitamin E takes place at selective tissues by scavenger receptor-mediated direct vitamin E uptake. Dual absorption pathways for tocotrienols are consistent with human and animal studies. α-Tocopherol depresses the bioavailability of α-tocotrienol and has antagonistic effect on tocotrienols in chemo-prevention against degenerative diseases. Therefore, it is an undesirable component for chemo-prevention. Future research directions should be focused on tocotrienols, preferably free from α-tocopherol, for optimum chemo-prevention and benefits to mankind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Tou Gee
- Palm Nutraceuticals Sdn. Bhd., Batu 7, Jalan Mawai, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor Malaysia
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24
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Frazier TH, Stocker AM, Kershner NA, Marsano LS, McClain CJ. Treatment of alcoholic liver disease. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2011; 4:63-81. [PMID: 21317995 PMCID: PMC3036962 DOI: 10.1177/1756283x10378925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains a major cause of liver-related mortality in the US and worldwide. The correct diagnosis of ALD can usually be made on a clinical basis in conjunction with blood tests, and a liver biopsy is not usually required. Abstinence is the hallmark of therapy for ALD, and nutritional therapy is the first line of therapeutic intervention. The role of steroids in patients with moderate to severe alcoholic hepatitis is gaining increasing acceptance, with the caveat that patients be evaluated for the effectiveness of therapy at 1 week. Pentoxifylline appears to be especially effective in ALD patients with renal dysfunction/hepatorenal syndrome. Biologics such as specific anti-TNFs have been disappointing and should probably not be used outside of the clinical trial setting. Transplantation is effective in patients with end-stage ALD who have stopped drinking (usually for ≥6 months), and both long-term graft and patient survival are excellent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H. Frazier
- Department of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Abigail M. Stocker
- Department of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Nicole A. Kershner
- Department of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Luis S. Marsano
- Department of Internal Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
- Louisville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA
- University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Craig J. McClain
- Department of Medicine (Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition), Pharmacology and Toxicology UofL Alcohol Research Center University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville VAMC 505 S. Hancock St., Rm 503 Clinical and Translational Research Building Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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25
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Role of nutrition in the management of hepatic encephalopathy in end-stage liver failure. J Nutr Metab 2010; 2010:489823. [PMID: 21234351 PMCID: PMC3017957 DOI: 10.1155/2010/489823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/11/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition is common in patients with end-stage liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy, and is considered a significant prognostic factor affecting quality of life, outcome, and survival. The liver plays a crucial role in the regulation of nutrition by trafficking the metabolism of nutrients, their distribution and appropriate use by the body. Nutritional consequences with the potential to cause nervous system dysfunction occur in liver failure, and many factors contribute to malnutrition in hepatic failure. Among them are inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, increased protein losses, hypermetabolism, insulin resistance, gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, inflammation/infection, and hyponatremia. Patients at risk of malnutrition are relatively difficult to identify since liver disease may interfere with biomarkers of malnutrition. The supplementation of the diet with amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins as well as probiotics in addition to meeting energy and protein requirements may improve nutritional status, liver function, and hepatic encephalopathy in patients with end-stage liver failure.
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Biesalski HK, Grune T, Tinz J, Zöllner I, Blumberg JB. Reexamination of a meta-analysis of the effect of antioxidant supplementation on mortality and health in randomized trials. Nutrients 2010; 2:929-49. [PMID: 22254063 PMCID: PMC3257709 DOI: 10.3390/nu2090929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Revised: 08/17/2010] [Accepted: 08/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent meta-analysis of selected randomized clinical trials (RCTs), in which population groups of differing ages and health status were supplemented with various doses of β-carotene, vitamin A, and/or vitamin E, found that these interventions increased all-cause mortality. However, this meta-analysis did not consider the rationale of the constituent RCTs for antioxidant supplementation, none of which included mortality as a primary outcome. As the rationale for these trials was to test the hypothesis of a potential benefit of antioxidant supplementation, an alternative approach to a systematic evaluation of these RCTs would be to evaluate this outcome relative to the putative risk of greater total mortality. Thus, we examined these data based on the primary outcome of the 66 RCTs included in the meta-analysis via a decision analysis to identify whether the results provided a positive (i.e., benefit), null or negative (i.e., harm) outcome. Our evaluation indicated that of these RCTs, 24 had a positive outcome, 39 had a null outcome, and 3 had a negative outcome. We further categorized these interventions as primary (risk reduction in healthy populations) or secondary (slowing pathogenesis or preventing recurrent events and/or cause-specific mortality) prevention or therapeutic (treatment to improve quality of life, limit complications, and/or provide rehabilitation) studies, and determined positive outcomes in 8 of 20 primary prevention studies, 10 of 34 secondary prevention studies, and 6 out of 16 therapeutic studies. Seven of the eight RCTs with a positive outcome in primary prevention included participants in a population where malnutrition is frequently described. These results suggest that analyses of potential risks from antioxidant supplementation should be placed in the context of a benefit/risk ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans K. Biesalski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Nutritional Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 28, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany;
| | - Tilman Grune
- Department of Nutritional Toxicology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Strasse 24, D-07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Jana Tinz
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Nutritional Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 28, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany;
| | - Iris Zöllner
- Department of Epidemiology, Baden-Wuerttemberg State Health Office, Nordbahnhofstr. 135, D-70191 Stuttgart, Germany;
| | - Jeffrey B. Blumberg
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
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27
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Bjelakovic G, Gluud LL, Nikolova D, Bjelakovic M, Nagorni A, Gluud C. Meta-analysis: antioxidant supplements for liver diseases - the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32:356-67. [PMID: 20497142 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04371.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several liver diseases have been associated with oxidative stress. Accordingly, antioxidants have been suggested as potential therapeutics for various liver diseases. The evidence supporting these suggestions is equivocal. AIM To assess the benefits and harms of antioxidant supplements for patients with liver diseases. METHODS We identified trials through electronic and manual searches until August 2009. We included randomized trials comparing antioxidant supplements (beta-carotene, vitamin A, C, E and selenium) vs. placebo or no intervention for autoimmune liver diseases, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis (any aetiology). Random-effects and fixed-effect meta-analyses were conducted. Results were presented as relative risks (RR), or mean difference (MD), both with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Twenty randomized trials with 1225 participants were included. The trials assessed beta-carotene (3 trials), vitamin A (2 trials), vitamin C (9 trials), vitamin E (15 trials) and selenium (8 trials). The majority of the trials had high risk of bias and showed heterogeneity. Overall, the assessed antioxidant supplements had no significant effect on all-cause mortality [relative risk (RR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-1.19, I(2) = 0%] or liver-related mortality (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.39-2.05, I(2) = 37%). Stratification according to the type of liver disease assessed did not affect the conclusions. Antioxidant supplements significantly increased the activity of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (MD 24.21 IU/L, 95% CI 6.67-41.75, I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence to support or refute antioxidant supplements in patients with liver disease. Antioxidant supplements may increase liver enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bjelakovic
- Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
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28
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Diesen DL, Kuo PC. Nitric oxide and redox regulation in the liver: part II. Redox biology in pathologic hepatocytes and implications for intervention. J Surg Res 2009; 167:96-112. [PMID: 20400112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2009.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are created in normal hepatocytes and are critical for normal physiologic processes, including oxidative respiration, growth, regeneration, apoptosis, and microsomal defense. When the levels of oxidation products exceed the capacity of normal antioxidant systems, oxidative stress occurs. This type of stress, in the form of ROS and RNS, can be damaging to all liver cells, including hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, and endothelial cells, through induction of inflammation, ischemia, fibrosis, necrosis, apoptosis, or through malignant transformation by damaging lipids, proteins, and/or DNA. In Part I of this review, we will discuss basic redox biology in the liver, including a review of ROS, RNS, and antioxidants, with a focus on nitric oxide as a common source of RNS. We will then review the evidence for oxidative stress as a mechanism of liver injury in hepatitis (alcoholic, viral, nonalcoholic). In Part II of this review, we will review oxidative stress in common pathophysiologic conditions, including ischemia/reperfusion injury, fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, iron overload, Wilson's disease, sepsis, and acetaminophen overdose. Finally, biomarkers, proteomic, and antioxidant therapies will be discussed as areas for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana L Diesen
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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29
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Moriya T, Naito H, Ito Y, Nakajima T. "Hypothesis of seven balances": molecular mechanisms behind alcoholic liver diseases and association with PPARalpha. J Occup Health 2009; 51:391-403. [PMID: 19706994 DOI: 10.1539/joh.k9001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this review to collate current leading scientific advances of molecular mechanisms in alcoholic liver diseases and to propose a working "hypothesis of seven balances" in relation to peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), which has important roles in fatty acid oxidation, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and possibly liver fibrosis. METHODS We conducted an extensive literature review of over a hundred publications and collated the findings with evidence generated in our laboratory. RESULTS Our research points to a working hypothesis of seven balances for alcoholic liver diseases consisting of: 1) ethanol oxidation balance in hepatocytes; 2) PPAR alpha activities in liver; 3) fatty acid metabolism balance in hepatic mitochondria; 4) gastrointestinal response to ethanol, acetaldehyde and lipopolysaccharide (LPS); 5) Kupffer cells response to LPS, oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines; 6) adiponectin levels in plasma interchangeably regulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha); and 7) stellate cells response to all of the above promoting hepatic fibrosis. Cellular mechanisms behind alcoholic liver diseases reveal close temporal associations of PPARalpha, adiponectin, TNF-alpha, cellular inflammation, proliferation, and potentially fibrosis as illustrated in "the hypothesis of seven balances." CONCLUSIONS The regulation and adjustment of PPARalpha activation underlying the balance of molecular cascades might resolve the progression of alcoholic liver diseases by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory effects induced by nuclear factor-kappaB as well as the associated adiponectin pathway. Further elucidation of these pathways would reveal exciting new prospects for treating alcoholic liver diseases and other related liver disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Moriya
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
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30
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Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C. Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008:CD007176. [PMID: 18425980 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd007176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal and physiological research as well as observational studies suggest that antioxidant supplements may improve survival. OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of antioxidant supplements on mortality in primary or secondary prevention randomised clinical trials. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to October 2005), EMBASE (1985 to October 2005), and the Science Citation Index Expanded (1945 to October 2005). We scanned bibliographies of relevant publications and wrote to pharmaceutical companies for additional trials. SELECTION CRITERIA We included all primary and secondary prevention randomised clinical trials on antioxidant supplements (beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) versus placebo or no intervention. Included participants were either healthy (primary prevention trials) or had any disease (secondary prevention trials). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three authors extracted data. Trials with adequate randomisation, blinding, and follow-up were classified as having a low risk of bias. Random-effects and fixed-effect meta-analyses were performed. Random-effects meta-regression analyses were performed to assess sources of intertrial heterogeneity. MAIN RESULTS Sixty-seven randomised trials with 232,550 participants were included. Forty-seven trials including 180,938 participants had low risk of bias. Twenty-one trials included 164,439 healthy participants. Forty-six trials included 68111 participants with various diseases (gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, ocular, dermatological, rheumatoid, renal, endocrinological, or unspecified). Overall, the antioxidant supplements had no significant effect on mortality in a random-effects meta-analysis (relative risk [RR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99 to 1.06), but significantly increased mortality in a fixed-effect model (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.06). In meta-regression analysis, the risk of bias and type of antioxidant supplement were the only significant predictors of intertrial heterogeneity. In the trials with a low risk of bias, the antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality (RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.08). When the different antioxidants were assessed separately, analyses including trials with a low risk of bias and excluding selenium trials found significantly increased mortality by vitamin A (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.24), beta-carotene (RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.11), and vitamin E (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07), but no significant detrimental effect of vitamin C (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.20). Low-bias risk trials on selenium found no significant effect on mortality (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.09). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin E may increase mortality. Future randomised trials could evaluate the potential effects of vitamin C and selenium for primary and secondary prevention. Such trials should be closely monitored for potential harmful effects. Antioxidant supplements need to be considered medicinal products and should undergo sufficient evaluation before marketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bjelakovic
- Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Department 3344,Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark, DK-2100.
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31
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Ye Z, Houssein HSH, Mahato RI. Bioconjugation of oligonucleotides for treating liver fibrosis. Oligonucleotides 2008; 17:349-404. [PMID: 18154454 DOI: 10.1089/oli.2007.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis results from chronic liver injury due to hepatitis B and C, excessive alcohol ingestion, and metal ion overload. Fibrosis culminates in cirrhosis and results in liver failure. Therefore, a potent antifibrotic therapy is urgently needed to reverse scarring and eliminate progression to cirrhosis. Although activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) remain the principle cell type responsible for liver fibrosis, perivascular fibroblasts of portal and central veins as well as periductular fibroblasts are other sources of fibrogenic cells. This review will critically discuss various treatment strategies for liver fibrosis, including prevention of liver injury, reduction of inflammation, inhibition of HSC activation, degradation of scar matrix, and inhibition of aberrant collagen synthesis. Oligonucleotides (ODNs) are short, single-stranded nucleic acids, which disrupt expression of target protein by binding to complementary mRNA or forming triplex with genomic DNA. Triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) provide an attractive strategy for treating liver fibrosis. A series of TFOs have been developed for inhibiting the transcription of alpha1(I) collagen gene, which opens a new area for antifibrotic drugs. There will be in-depth discussion on the use of TFOs and how different bioconjugation strategies can be utilized for their site-specific delivery to HSCs or hepatocytes for enhanced antifibrotic activities. Various insights developed in individual strategy and the need for multipronged approaches will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyang Ye
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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32
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33
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Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C. Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA 2007; 297:842-57. [PMID: 17327526 DOI: 10.1001/jama.297.8.842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1356] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Antioxidant supplements are used for prevention of several diseases. OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of antioxidant supplements on mortality in randomized primary and secondary prevention trials. DATA SOURCES AND TRIAL SELECTION: We searched electronic databases and bibliographies published by October 2005. All randomized trials involving adults comparing beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E, and selenium either singly or combined vs placebo or vs no intervention were included in our analysis. Randomization, blinding, and follow-up were considered markers of bias in the included trials. The effect of antioxidant supplements on all-cause mortality was analyzed with random-effects meta-analyses and reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-regression was used to assess the effect of covariates across the trials. DATA EXTRACTION We included 68 randomized trials with 232 606 participants (385 publications). DATA SYNTHESIS When all low- and high-bias risk trials of antioxidant supplements were pooled together there was no significant effect on mortality (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.98-1.06). Multivariate meta-regression analyses showed that low-bias risk trials (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.04[corrected]-1.29) and selenium (RR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.997-0.9995) were significantly associated with mortality. In 47 low-bias trials with 180 938 participants, the antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08). In low-bias risk trials, after exclusion of selenium trials, beta carotene (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.11), vitamin A (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.10-1.24), and vitamin E (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07), singly or combined, significantly increased mortality. Vitamin C and selenium had no significant effect on mortality. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E may increase mortality. The potential roles of vitamin C and selenium on mortality need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Bjelakovic
- The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Center for Clinical Intervention Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Virmani A, Binienda Z, Ali S, Gaetani F. Links between nutrition, drug abuse, and the metabolic syndrome. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007; 1074:303-14. [PMID: 17105926 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1369.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Nutritional deficiency in combination with drug abuse may increase risk of developing the metabolic syndrome by augmenting cell damage, excitotoxicity, reducing energy production, and lowering the antioxidant potential of the cells. We have reviewed here the following points: effects of drugs of abuse on nutrition and brain metabolism; effects of nutrition on actions of the drugs of abuse; drug abuse and probability of developing metabolic syndrome; role of genetic vulnerability in nutrition/drug abuse and brain damage; and the role of neuroprotective supplements in drug abuse. Nutrition education is an essential component of substance abuse treatment programs and can enhance substance abuse treatment outcomes. The strategies available, in particular the nutritional approach to protect the drug abusers from the metabolic syndrome and other diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Virmani
- Sigma tau-HealthScience, Via Treviso 4, Pomezia, 00040, Italy.
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Di Sario A, Candelaresi C, Omenetti A, Benedetti A. Vitamin E in chronic liver diseases and liver fibrosis. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2007; 76:551-73. [PMID: 17628189 DOI: 10.1016/s0083-6729(07)76021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis may be considered as a dynamic and integrated cellular response to chronic liver injury. The activation of hepatic stellate cells and the consequent deposition of large amounts of extracellular matrix play a major role in the fibrogenic process, but it has been shown that other cellular components of the liver are also involved. Although the pathogenesis of liver damage usually depends on the underlying disease, oxidative damage of biologically relevant molecules might represent a common link between different forms of chronic liver injury and hepatic fibrosis. In fact, oxidative stress-related molecules may act as mediators able to modulate all the events involved in the progression of liver fibrosis. In addition, chronic liver diseases are often associated with decreased antioxidant defenses. Although vitamin E levels have been shown to be decreased in chronic liver diseases of different etiology, the role of vitamin E supplementation in these clinical conditions is still controversial. In fact, the increased serum levels of alpha-tocopherol following vitamin E supplementation not always result in a protective effect on liver damage. In addition, clinical trials have usually been performed in small cohorts of patients, thus making definitive conclusions impossible. At present, treatment with vitamin E or other antioxidant compounds could be proposed for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most frequent hepatic lesion in western countries which can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis due to the production of large amounts of oxidative stress products. However, although some studies have shown encouraging results, multicentric and long-term clinical trials are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Di Sario
- Department of Gastroenterology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Polo Didattico III, Piano, Via Tronto 10, 60020 Torrette, Ancona, Italy
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Hanje AJ, Fortune B, Song M, Hill D, McClain C. The use of selected nutrition supplements and complementary and alternative medicine in liver disease. Nutr Clin Pract 2006; 21:255-72. [PMID: 16772543 PMCID: PMC4239999 DOI: 10.1177/0115426506021003255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost all patients with liver disease, especially advanced liver disease, have some evidence of malnutrition, including mineral/vitamin deficiency. A major health trend in the United States has been the significant growth in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including nutrition supplements and herbal agents. In the 1990s, the United States government created the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), as well as the Office on Dietary Supplements, to extend our knowledge in these areas. CAM users are often highly educated and frequently use CAM therapy for chronic diseases, including chronic liver disease. Indeed, most studies suggest that patients with chronic liver disease frequently use nutrition supplements and CAM agents in addition to their traditional medicines. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the role of nutrition supplements and herbals in liver disease. This article will focus mainly on 7 selected agents (vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, S-adenosylmethionine, betaine, silymarin, and glycyrrhizin), for which there have been not only in vitro and animal studies but also human clinical trials, and we will review both potential efficacy and safety issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- A James Hanje
- Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Abstract
Oxidative stress is a common pathogenetic mechanism contributing to initiation and progression of hepatic damage in a variety of liver disorders. Cell damage occurs when there is an excess of reactive species derived from oxygen and nitrogen, or a defect of antioxidant molecules. Experimental research on the delicately regulated molecular strategies whereby cells control the balance between oxidant and antioxidant molecules has progressed in recent years. On the basis of this evidence, antioxidants represent a logical therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic liver disease. Clinical studies with large numbers of patients have not yet been performed. However, results from several pilot trials support this concept and indicate that it may be worth performing multicentre studies, particularly combining antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and/or antiviral therapy. Oxidative stress plays a pathogenetic role in liver diseases such as alcoholic liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis, autoimmune liver diseases and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The use of antioxidants (e.g. S-adenosylmethionine [SAMe; ademetionine], tocopherol [vitamin E], polyenylphosphatidylcholine or silymarin) has already shown promising results in some of these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Medina
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
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Paik YH. Alcohol Abuse Related Medical Complications and Treatment. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2006. [DOI: 10.5124/jkma.2006.49.2.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Han Paik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Korea.
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Abstract
Development of ethanol-induced fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis has been attributed in part to nutritional deficiencies for many years. Special attention must be focused on treating alcohol-induced liver disease while providing replacement of deficient amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Avoidance of alcohol intake is required to eliminate progressive liver disease in alcoholics. This is best achieved by using educational and social programs to convince patients and their caretakers of the great necessity to eliminate alcohol intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carroll M Leevy
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 150 Bergen Street, Room H-245, Newark, NJ 07101-1709, USA.
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Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. For example, the Veterans Administration Cooperative Studies reported that patients with cirrhosis and superimposed alcoholic hepatitis had a 4-year mortality of >60% (worse than many common cancers such as breast and prostate). The cornerstone for therapy for ALD is lifestyle modification, including drinking cessation and treatment of decompensation, if appropriate. Nutrition intervention has been shown to play a positive role on both an in-patient and out-patient basis. Corticosteroids are effective in selected patients with alcoholic hepatitis, and treatment with pentoxifylline appears to be a promising anti-inflammatory therapy. Recent studies have indicated anti-TNFalpha therapy, at least for alcoholic hepatitis. Some complementary and alternative medicinal agents, such as milk thistle and S-adenosylmethionine, may be effective in alcoholic cirrhosis. Treatment of the complications of ALD can improve the quality of life and, in some cases, decrease short-term mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Bergheim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Ky., USA
| | - Craig J. McClain
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, and Veterans Administration, Louisville, Ky., USA
| | - Gavin E. Arteel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Ky., USA
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Koch OR, Pani G, Borrello S, Colavitti R, Cravero A, Farrè S, Galeotti T. Oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in ethanol-induced cell injury. Mol Aspects Med 2004; 25:191-8. [PMID: 15051327 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2004.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although in the past several mechanisms and factors have been proposed to be responsible for alcoholic liver disease (ALD), at present the involvement of oxygen free radicals and consequently of oxidative stress has acquired remarkable credit. In numerous experimental studies it has been shown the occurrence of alcohol-induced generation of oxygen- and ethanol-derived free radicals through different pathways and from different sources. Mitochondria appear to be both an important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and also a primary target of ethanol-induced damage. The consistent induction of the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) observed in experimental animals after acute and chronic ethanol administration has all the characteristics of a "stress response" to an oxidative insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo R Koch
- Departmento de Patologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Lieber CS. Alcoholic fatty liver: its pathogenesis and mechanism of progression to inflammation and fibrosis. Alcohol 2004; 34:9-19. [PMID: 15670660 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2004.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 423] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2004] [Revised: 07/16/2004] [Accepted: 07/20/2004] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver disease in the alcoholic is due not only to malnutrition but also to ethanol's hepatotoxicity linked to its metabolism by means of the alcohol dehydrogenase and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) pathways and the resulting production of toxic acetaldehyde. In addition, alcohol dehydrogenase-mediated ethanol metabolism generates the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), which promotes steatosis by stimulating the synthesis of fatty acids and opposing their oxidation. Steatosis is also promoted by excess dietary lipids and can be attenuated by their replacement with medium-chain triglycerides. Through reduction of pyruvate, elevated NADH also increases lactate, which stimulates collagen synthesis in myofibroblasts. Furthermore, CYP2E1 activity is inducible by its substrates, not only ethanol but also fatty acids. Their excess and metabolism by means of this pathway generate release of free radicals, which cause oxidative stress, with peroxidation of lipids and membrane damage, including altered enzyme activities. Products of lipid peroxidation such as 4-hydroxynonenal stimulate collagen generation and fibrosis, which are further increased through diminished feedback inhibition of collagen synthesis because acetaldehyde forms adducts with the carboxyl-terminal propeptide of procollagen in hepatic stellate cells. Acetaldehyde is also toxic to the mitochondria, and it aggravates their oxidative stress by binding to reduced glutathione and promoting its leakage. Oxidative stress and associated cellular injury promote inflammation, which is aggravated by increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the Kupffer cells. These are activated by induction of their CYP2E1 as well as by endotoxin. The endotoxin-stimulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha release is decreased by dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine, the active phosphatidylcholine (PC) species of polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC). Moreover, defense mechanisms provided by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and omega fatty acid oxidation are readily overwhelmed, particularly in female rats and also in women who have low hepatic induction of fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABPc). Accordingly, the intracellular concentration of free fatty acids may become high enough to injure membranes, thereby contributing to necrosis, inflammation, and progression to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Eventually, hepatic S-adenosylmethionine and PCs become depleted in the alcoholic, with impairment of their multiple cellular functions, which can be restored by PC replenishment. Thus, prevention and therapy opposing the development of steatosis and its progression to more severe injury can be achieved by a multifactorial approach: control of alcohol consumption, avoidance of obesity and of excess dietary long-chain fatty acids, or their replacement with medium-chain fatty acids, and replenishment of S-adenosylmethionine and PCs by using PPC. Progress in the understanding of the pathogenesis of alcoholic fatty liver and its progression to inflammation and fibrosis has resulted in prospects for their better prevention and treatment.
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Lieber CS. New concepts of the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease lead to novel treatments. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2004; 6:60-5. [PMID: 14720455 DOI: 10.1007/s11894-004-0027-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Activation of methionine to S-adenosylmethionine is depressed in alcoholics. Its repletion opposes alcoholic liver cirrhosis in baboons, decreases mortality in cirrhotic patients, and opposes oxidative stress resulting from cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) induction by alcohol, ketones, and fatty acids. Their excess causes alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. CYP2E1 is also induced in Kupffer cells, promoting their activation and release of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The TNF-alpha inhibitor pentoxifylline decreased mortality from alcoholic hepatitis. Polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC), an antioxidant phosphatidylcholine mixture extracted from soybeans, 50% of which consists of the highly bioavailable dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine, restores phospholipids of the damaged membranes and reactivates their enzymes, including phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, needed for phospholipid regeneration. In baboons, PPC prevented cirrhosis by stimulating collagenase and by opposing lipid peroxidation, which produces the fibrogenic hydroxynonenal. PPC was beneficial in patients with alcoholic hepatitis, and it opposed fibrosis in heavy drinkers and decreased aminotransferases in patients with hepatitis C. The antioxidant silymarin also successfully opposed alcoholic cirrhosis in baboons and in some but not all clinical trials; this effect also pertains to a-tocopherol. The anti-inflammatory corticosteroids and colchicine yielded mixed results. Finally, replacing long-chain with medium-chain triglycerides opposed the fatty liver experimentally and clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S Lieber
- Section of Liver Disease and Nutrition, Bronx VA Medical Center and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, (151-2), 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA.
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Mezey E, Potter JJ, Rennie-Tankersley L, Caballeria J, Pares A. A randomized placebo controlled trial of vitamin E for alcoholic hepatitis. J Hepatol 2004; 40:40-6. [PMID: 14672612 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8278(03)00476-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The effect of vitamin E administration on clinical and laboratory parameters of liver function and on markers of fibrogenesis was assessed in patients with mild to moderate alcoholic hepatitis in a double blind placebo controlled randomized trial. METHODS Twenty-five patients received 1000 I.U. of vitamin E per day, while 26 patients received placebo for 3 months. The patients were followed for 1 year after entry into the trial. RESULTS Vitamin E did not result in significant greater decreases in serum aminotransferases and serum bilirubin or in greater increases in serum albumin as compared with placebo. Prothrombin time did not change, while serum creatinine remained in the normal range. Monocyte nuclear nuclear factor-kappa B binding activity decreased in patients who remained abstinent, regardless of whether they received vitamin E. As regards markers of hepatic fibrogenesis, vitamin E treatment decreased serum hyaluronic acid (P<0.05) while serum aminoterminal peptide of type III procollagen did not change in either group. Four patients in the treatment group and five in the placebo group died during the 1-year study. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin E treatment improves serum hyaluronic acid but has no beneficial effects on tests of liver function in patients with mild to moderate alcoholic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Mezey
- Department of Medicine, 921 Ross Building, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. For example, the Veterans Administration Cooperative Studies reported that patients with cirrhosis and superimposed alcoholic hepatitis had a 4-year mortality of >60%. Interactions between acetaldehyde, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, inflammatory mediators and genetic factors appear to play prominent roles in the development of ALD. The cornerstone of therapy for ALD is lifestyle modification, including drinking and smoking cessation and losing weight, if appropriate. Nutrition intervention has been shown to play a positive role on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Corticosteroids are effective in selected patients with alcoholic hepatitis and pentoxifylline appears to be a promising anti-inflammatory therapy. Some complementary and alternative medicine agents, such as milk thistle and S-adenosylmethionine, may be effective in alcoholic cirrhosis. Treatment of the complications of ALD can improve quality of life and, in some cases, decrease short-term mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Arteel
- University of Louisville Medical Center, Building A, Room 1319, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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47
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Abstract
Liver fibrosis represents a major worldwide healthcare burden. Current therapy is limited to removing the causal agent. This approach is successful in some diseases; particularly haemochromatosis and chronic viral hepatitis. However, for many patients treatment is not possible, while other patients present to medical attention at an advanced stage of fibrosis. There is therefore a great need for novel therapies for liver fibrosis. The hepatic stellate cell has been recognised to be responsible for most of the excess extracellular matrix observed in chronic liver fibrosis. The detailed understanding of hepatic stellate cell biology has allowed the rational design of novel antifibrotic therapies. This review describes for the general reader the novel emerging therapies for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Murphy
- Liver Research Group, Division of Infection, Inflammation & Repair, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne M Clark
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Abstract
Alcoholic hepatitis is a common disease with an overall 1-year mortality of 20%. Although the classical treatment for alcoholic hepatitis is abstinence, in some individuals abstinence alone is inadequate to promote survival and recovery. This is particularly true of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, who are identified by jaundice, coagulopathy and neutrophilia. Within the last two decades, several agents have been examined as treatments for alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. They have targeted several key processes in the pathophysiology of alcoholic liver disease, including hypermetabolism, inflammation, cytokine dysregulation and oxidant stress. The compounds that offer the greatest survival benefit to patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis are corticosteroids. Several groups have reported excellent results with corticosteroids, but positive results are not uniform, and there remains some controversy over their efficacy. Even if corticosteroids are beneficial for alcoholic hepatitis, they are not recommended for all patients at risk. Consequently, other agents are being tested that have broader applicability to individuals with contraindications to steroids. In this regard, pentoxifylline shows some promise, as does enteral feeding with medium chain triglycerides. Independent efforts are also being directed toward treatment of chronic alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic cirrhosis. Anti-oxidants have received the greatest attention; drugs such as S-adenosyl-methionine may be of benefit. This and others are under active study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn J Maher
- Liver Center Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Parola
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Oncologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Patologia Generale, Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy.
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