1
|
Wang Y, Zhang X, Li Q, Zhang Q, Liu J. Thyroid function and hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Front Genet 2025; 16:1399353. [PMID: 40242471 PMCID: PMC11999943 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2025.1399353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2025] [Indexed: 04/18/2025] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence on the relationship between thyroid function and hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis are still unclear, with inconsistent conclusions. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aimed to investigate the potential causal association between thyroid function and hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis in order to provide new insights for improving prevention and control strategies for this disease. Methods Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on exposures, which included hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), were extracted from the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC-IEU) (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/), and GWAS data for outcomes, including hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), were obtained from the FinnGen consortium (https://www.finngen.fi/fi). Inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger methods were utilized to examine the causal association between thyroid function and the risk of hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. Cochran's Q test was used to assess the heterogeneity of instrumental variables (IVs), while MR-PRESSO and leave-one-out analyses were conducted for sensitivity analysis. Results IVW estimates suggested that hypothyroidism had a potential causal association with higher odds of hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis (OR = 1.247, 95% CI: 1.087-1.431). Leave-one-out results indicated that this potential causal relationship was relatively robust. In addition, we assessed the causal association between hypothyroidism and hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis before and after removal of outliers with heterogeneity. After removing the outliers, the association was still significant (OR = 1.266, 95% CI: 1.082-1.482, P = 0.0046). Conclusion Patients with hypothyroidism may have a higher risk of hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis, and this finding may provide some references for the early screening and prevention of the disease. However, further studies are needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which hypothyroidism influences hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, JiangXi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - XiaoLi Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, JiangXi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, JiangXi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, JiangXi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, JiangXi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tong XC, Liu K, Huang ZY, Zhang XJ, Xue Y. Thyroid hormone, immunoglobin and complements for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis. World J Hepatol 2025; 17:99092. [PMID: 40027558 PMCID: PMC11866162 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i2.99092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Revised: 01/06/2025] [Accepted: 01/24/2025] [Indexed: 02/20/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance is crucial for patients with compensated cirrhosis (CC) and decompensated cirrhosis (DC). Increasing evidence has revealed a connection between thyroid hormone (TH) and HCC, although this relationship remains contentious. Complements and immunoglobulin (Ig), which serve as surrogates of cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction, are associated with the severity and outcomes of liver cirrhosis (LC). To date, there is a lack of evidence supporting the recommendation of TH, Ig, and complement tests in patients at high risk of HCC. AIM To assess the predictive value of TH, Ig, and complements for HCC development. METHODS Data from 142 patients, comprising 72 patients with CC and 70 patients with DC, were analysed as a training set. Among them, 100 patients who underwent complement and Ig tests were considered for internal validation. Logistic regression was employed to identify independent risk factors for HCC development. RESULTS The median follow-up duration was 32 (24-37 months) months. The incidence of HCC was significantly higher in the DC group (16/70, 22.9%) compared to the CC group (3/72, 4.2%) (χ² = 10.698, P < 0.01). Patients with DC exhibited lower total tetraiodothyronine (TT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine, complement C3, and C4 (all P < 0.01), and higher IgA and IgG (both P < 0.01). In both CC and DC patients, TT3 and TT4 positively correlated with alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). IgG positively correlated with IgM, IgA, ALT, and AST, while it negatively correlated with C3 and C4. Multivariable analysis indicated that age, DC status, and GGT were independent risk factors for HCC development. CONCLUSION The predictive value of TH, Ig, and complements for HCC development is suboptimal. Age, DC, and GGT emerge as more significant factors during HCC surveillance in hepatitis B virus-related LC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Cheng Tong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Changzhou Third People's Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Changzhou Third People's Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ze-Yu Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Changzhou Third People's Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiu-Jun Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Changzhou Third People's Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Changzhou Third People's Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, Jiangsu Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sinha RA, Bruinstroop E, Yen PM. Actions of thyroid hormones and thyromimetics on the liver. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2025; 22:9-22. [PMID: 39420154 PMCID: PMC7616774 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00991-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine and thyroxine) are pivotal for metabolic balance in the liver and entire body. Dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis can contribute to hepatic metabolic disturbances, affecting lipid metabolism, glucose regulation and protein synthesis. In addition, reductions in circulating and intrahepatic thyroid hormone concentrations increase the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease by inducing lipotoxicity, inflammation and fibrosis. Amelioration of hepatic metabolic disease by thyroid hormones in preclinical and clinical studies has spurred the development of thyromimetics that target THRB (the predominant thyroid hormone receptor isoform in the liver) and/or the liver itself to provide more selective activation of hepatic thyroid hormone-regulated metabolic pathways while reducing thyrotoxic side effects in tissues that predominantly express THRA such as the heart and bone. Resmetirom, a liver and THRB-selective thyromimetic, recently became the first FDA-approved drug for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Thus, a better understanding of the metabolic actions of thyroid hormones and thyromimetics in the liver is timely and clinically relevant. Here, we describe the roles of thyroid hormones in normal liver function and pathogenesis of MASH, as well as some potential clinical issues that might arise when treating patients with MASH with thyroid hormone supplementation or thyromimetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohit A Sinha
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Eveline Bruinstroop
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paul M Yen
- Laboratory of Hormonal Regulation, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He W, Huang C, Wang L, Su W, Wang S, Huang P, Zhang X, Huang Y, Zhao Y, Lin M, Shi X, Li X. The correlation between triiodothyronine and the severity of liver fibrosis. BMC Endocr Disord 2022; 22:313. [PMID: 36503486 PMCID: PMC9743744 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-022-01228-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The severity of liver fibrosis is an important predictor of death in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there is still no definite conclusion on the relationship between triiodothyronine (T3) and the severity of liver fibrosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between T3 level and the severity of liver fibrosis. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of 2072 T2DM patients with normal thyroid function from January 2017 to January 2020. NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), Fibrosis index based on the 4 factors (FIB-4) and BARD score (BARD) were used to assess the severity of fibrosis in T2DM patients, and linear regression analyses were used to determine the factors independently associated with liver fibrosis. Further experiments were performed to assess the impact of low T3 on fibrosis progression in mice model and explore possible mechanisms. RESULTS Free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels had significantly inverse correlations with NFS and FIB-4, and BARD in T2DM patients (P < 0.05). In multiple linear regression analyses, decreased fT3 level was an independent risk factor for the severity of liver fibrosis of T2DM patients (P < 0.01). Findings from in-vivo experiment using mice model proved that hypothyroidism mice had more severe of liver fibrosis than those mice with normal thyroid function. We also found that T3 could inhibit the profibrotic TREM2+CD9+ macrophage, which had been identified an important player in the progression of liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION The findings from this study proved an inverse correlation between T3 level and the severity of liver fibrosis, and lower fT3 level within the normal range was an independent risk factor for severe liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei He
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Caoxin Huang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Liying Wang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Weijuan Su
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shunhua Wang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Peiying Huang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaofang Zhang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yinxiang Huang
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Mingzhu Lin
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiulin Shi
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, No.55 Zhenhai Road, 361003, Xaimen, China.
| | - Xuejun Li
- Xiamen Diabetes Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Diabetes, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, No.55 Zhenhai Road, 361003, Xaimen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The Clinical Value of Thyroid Hormone Levels and Correlation with Severity of Liver Cirrhosis. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2022:5365172. [PMID: 35707192 PMCID: PMC9192234 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5365172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background. The aims of this study were to expound the effect of thyroid hormone on the occurrence of liver cirrhosis and the severity classification of liver cirrhosis with meta-analysis. Methods. A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CNKI, and WanFang Data databases and reference lists of retrieved articles was performed since the inception of each database until September 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias by RevMan 5.3 software. In continuous variable analysis, the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated through a random-effect model. Results. Eighteen case-control studies involving 3336 subjects were included for review. The results of the meta-analysis showed free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels in the liver cirrhosis group were lower than the control group (SMD = −1.29, 95% CI [−1.85, −0.74],
< 0.001), (SMD = −0.61, 95% CI [−0.96, −0.26],
< 0.001), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in liver cirrhosis group were higher than the control group (SMD = 0.34, 95%CI [0.06, 0.63],
< 0.001) and that FT3 levels in Child-Pugh A VS B and Child-Pugh B VS C group were higher than the control group (SMD = 1.08, 95%CI [0.80, 1.37],
= 0.008), (SMD = 0.68, 95%CI [0.38, 0.98],
< 0.001). Conclusions. Cirrhosis has decreased FT3 and FT4 levels and increased TSH levels. FT3 levels correlate negatively with the Child-Pugh score, and it is a measure of the severity of liver cirrhosis dysfunction. FT3 serum levels of thyroid hormones are a prognostic marker in liver cirrhosis.
Collapse
|
6
|
Rios RS, Zheng KI, Zheng MH. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Chin Med J (Engl) 2021; 134:2911-2921. [PMID: 34855640 PMCID: PMC8710331 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000001888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the leading chronic liver disease worldwide raises some concerns. In particular, NAFLD is closely tied to sedentary lifestyle habits and associated with other metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. At the end of the disease spectrum, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), representing a serious health problem to modern society. Recently, an increasing number of HCC cases originating from this progressive disease spectrum have been identified, with different levels of severity and complications. Updating the current guidelines by placing a bigger focus on this emerging cause and highlighting some of its unique features is necessary. Since, the drivers of the disease are complex and multifactorial, in order to improve future outcomes, having a better understanding of NASH progression into HCC may be helpful. The risks that can promote disease progression and currently available management strategies employed to monitor and treat NASH-related HCC make up the bulk of this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael S. Rios
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Kenneth I. Zheng
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- Institute of Hepatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| |
Collapse
|