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Michalczuk MT, Longo L, Keingeski MB, Basso BDS, Guerreiro GTS, Ferrari JT, Vargas JE, Oliveira CP, Uribe-Cruz C, Cerski CTS, Filippi-Chiela E, Álvares-da-Silva MR. Rifaximin on epigenetics and autophagy in animal model of hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:75-90. [PMID: 38313241 PMCID: PMC10835481 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i1.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing, especially in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). AIM To investigate rifaximin (RIF) effects on epigenetic/autophagy markers in animals. METHODS Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned (n = 8, each) and treated from 5-16 wk: Control [standard diet, water plus gavage with vehicle (Veh)], HCC [high-fat choline deficient diet (HFCD), diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in drinking water and Veh gavage], and RIF [HFCD, DEN and RIF (50 mg/kg/d) gavage]. Gene expression of epigenetic/autophagy markers and circulating miRNAs were obtained. RESULTS All HCC and RIF animals developed metabolic-dysfunction associated steatohepatitis fibrosis, and cirrhosis, but three RIF-group did not develop HCC. Comparing animals who developed HCC with those who did not, miR-122, miR-34a, tubulin alpha-1c (Tuba-1c), metalloproteinases-2 (Mmp2), and metalloproteinases-9 (Mmp9) were significantly higher in the HCC-group. The opposite occurred with Becn1, coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase-1 (Carm1), enhancer of zeste homolog-2 (Ezh2), autophagy-related factor LC3A/B (Map1 Lc3b), and p62/sequestosome-1 (p62/SQSTM1)-protein. Comparing with controls, Map1 Lc3b, Becn1 and Ezh2 were lower in HCC and RIF-groups (P < 0.05). Carm1 was lower in HCC compared to RIF (P < 0.05). Hepatic expression of Mmp9 was higher in HCC in relation to the control; the opposite was observed for p62/Sqstm1 (P < 0.05). Expression of p62/SQSTM1 protein was lower in the RIF-group compared to the control (P = 0.024). There was no difference among groups for Tuba-1c, Aldolase-B, alpha-fetoprotein, and Mmp2 (P > 0.05). miR-122 was higher in HCC, and miR-34a in RIF compared to controls (P < 0.05). miR-26b was lower in HCC compared to RIF, and the inverse was observed for miR-224 (P < 0.05). There was no difference among groups regarding miR-33a, miR-143, miR-155, miR-375 and miR-21 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION RIF might have a possible beneficial effect on preventing/delaying liver carcinogenesis through epigenetic modulation in a rat model of MASLD-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Truccolo Michalczuk
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Larisse Longo
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Melina Belén Keingeski
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Bruno de Souza Basso
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Tayguara Silveira Guerreiro
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jessica T Ferrari
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Vargas
- Laboratory of Inflammatory and Neoplastic Cells, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Paraná 81530900, Brazil
| | - Cláudia P Oliveira
- Department of Gastroenterology (LIM07), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246903, Brazil
| | - Carolina Uribe-Cruz
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de las Misiones, Posadas, Misiones 3300, Argentina
| | - Carlos Thadeu Schmidt Cerski
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Unit of Surgical Pathology, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Filippi-Chiela
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90.050-170, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mário Reis Álvares-da-Silva
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Experimental Laboratory of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Researcher, Brasília 71.605-001, Brazil.
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Torre A, Córdova-Gallardo J, Frati Munari AC. Rifaximin Alfa and Liver Diseases: More Than a Treatment for Encephalopathy, a Disease Modifier. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2023; 19:839-851. [PMID: 37899985 PMCID: PMC10612522 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s425292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
RFX, a rifamycin-based antibacterial agent obtained by the culture of the actinomycete Streptomyces mediterranei, has a broad antibacterial spectrum covering gram- positive, gram-negative, aerobic, and anaerobic bacteria. RFX is an antibiotic that elicits its effect by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis. When administered orally, its intestinal absorption is extremely low (<0.4%), restricting antibacterial activity mainly in the intestinal tract, with few systemic side effects. RFX has been recommended by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines for the treatment of HE. RFX may contribute to restore hepatic function and to decrease the development of liver fibrosis. Its efficacy has been shown in patients with previous hepatic encephalopathy and several complications, such as infections, including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, ascites and oesophageal variceal bleeding. Thus, RFX has an outstanding role in the therapeutic arsenal in hepatic cirrhosis, under the concept of disease modifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Torre
- Guest Research, Metabolic Unit Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas Y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, México City, Mexico
- Guest Research, Liver Unit Department, Hospital General de México, México City, Mexico
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Confalonieri F, Lumi X, Petrovski G. Spontaneous Epiretinal Membrane Resolution and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers: Case Observation, Literature Review and Perspectives. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1976. [PMID: 37509613 PMCID: PMC10377102 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a relatively common condition affecting the macula. When symptoms become apparent and compromise a patient's quality of vision, the only therapeutic approach available today is surgery with a vitrectomy and peeling of the ERM. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) reduce the effect of angiotensin II, limit the amount of fibrosis, and demonstrate consequences on fibrinogenesis in the human body. Case Description and Materials and Methods: A rare case of spontaneous ERM resolution with concomitant administration of ARB is reported. The patient was set on ARB treatment for migraines and arterial hypertension, and a posterior vitreous detachment was already present at the first diagnosis of ERM. The scientific literature addressing the systemic relationship between ARB, ACE-Is, and fibrosis in the past 25 years was searched in the PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE databases. RESULTS In total, 38 and 16 original articles have been selected for ARBs and ACE-Is, respectively, in regard to fibrosis modulation. CONCLUSION ARBs and ACE-Is might have antifibrotic activity on ERM formation and resolution. Further clinical studies are necessary to explore this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Confalonieri
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Xhevat Lumi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Split School of Medicine and University Hospital Centre, 21000 Split, Croatia
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Manilla V, Di Tommaso N, Santopaolo F, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR. Endotoxemia and Gastrointestinal Cancers: Insight into the Mechanisms Underlying a Dangerous Relationship. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020267. [PMID: 36838231 PMCID: PMC9963870 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), also known as endotoxin, is a component of the membrane of gram-negative bacteria and a well-recognized marker of sepsis. In case of disruption of the intestinal barrier, as occurs with unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption, or during chronic diseases, the microbiota residing in the gastrointestinal tract becomes a crucial factor in amplifying the systemic inflammatory response. Indeed, the translocation of LPS into the bloodstream and its interaction with toll-like receptors (TLRs) triggers molecular pathways involved in cytokine release and immune dysregulation. This is a critical step in the exacerbation of many diseases, including metabolic disorders and cancer. Indeed, the role of LPS in cancer development is widely recognized, and examples include gastric tumor related to Helicobacter pylori infection and hepatocellular carcinoma, both of which are preceded by a prolonged inflammatory injury; in addition, the risk of recurrence and development of metastasis appears to be associated with endotoxemia. Here, we review the mechanisms that link the promotion and progression of tumorigenesis with endotoxemia, and the possible therapeutic interventions that can be deployed to counteract these events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Manilla
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Natalia Di Tommaso
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Translational Medicine and Surgery Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Translational Medicine and Surgery Department, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Badr AM, Sherif IO, Mahran YF, Attia HA. Role of Renin-Angiotensin System in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver. The Renin Angiotensin System in Cancer, Lung, Liver and Infectious Diseases 2023:179-197. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-23621-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
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Maestri M, Santopaolo F, Pompili M, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR. Gut microbiota modulation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Effects of current treatments and future strategies. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1110536. [PMID: 36875849 PMCID: PMC9978194 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1110536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequently associated with metabolic disorders, being highly prevalent in obese and diabetic patients. Many concomitant factors that promote systemic and liver inflammation are involved in NAFLD pathogenesis, with a growing body of evidence highlighting the key role of the gut microbiota. Indeed, the gut-liver axis has a strong impact in the promotion of NAFLD and in the progression of the wide spectrum of its manifestations, claiming efforts to find effective strategies for gut microbiota modulation. Diet is among the most powerful tools; Western diet negatively affects intestinal permeability and the gut microbiota composition and function, selecting pathobionts, whereas Mediterranean diet fosters health-promoting bacteria, with a favorable impact on lipid and glucose metabolism and liver inflammation. Antibiotics and probiotics have been used to improve NAFLD features, with mixed results. More interestingly, medications used to treat NAFLD-associated comorbidities may also modulate the gut microbiota. Drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), such as metformin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors, are not only effective in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, but also in the reduction of liver fat content and inflammation, and they are associated with a shift in the gut microbiota composition towards a healthy phenotype. Even bariatric surgery significantly changes the gut microbiota, mostly due to the modification of the gastrointestinal anatomy, with a parallel improvement in histological features of NAFLD. Other options with promising effects in reprogramming the gut-liver axis, such as fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) and next-generation probiotics deserve further investigation for future inclusion in the therapeutic armamentarium of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Maestri
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Brogna C, Cristoni S, Brogna B, Bisaccia DR, Marino G, Viduto V, Montano L, Piscopo M. Toxin-like Peptides from the Bacterial Cultures Derived from Gut Microbiome Infected by SARS-CoV-2-New Data for a Possible Role in the Long COVID Pattern. Biomedicines 2022; 11:biomedicines11010087. [PMID: 36672595 PMCID: PMC9855837 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been 3 years since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, however it is as yet little known how to care for the acute COVID-19 and long COVID patients. COVID-19 clinical manifestations are of both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary types. Extra-pulmonary ones include extreme tiredness (fatigue), shortness of breath, muscle aches, hyposmia, dysgeusia, and other neurological manifestations. In other autoimmune diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) or Alzheimer's Disease (AD), it is well known that role of acetylcholine is crucial in olfactory dysfunction. We have already observed the presence of toxin-like peptides in plasma, urine, and faecal samples from COVID-19 patients, which are very similar to molecules known to alter acetylcholine signaling. After observing the production of these peptides in bacterial cultures, we have performed additional proteomics analyses to better understand their behavior and reported the extended data from our latest in vitro experiment. It seems that the gut microbiome continues to produce toxin-like peptides also after the decrease of RNA SARS-CoV-2 viral load at molecular tests. These toxicological interactions between the gut/human microbiome bacteria and the virus suggest a new scenario in the study of the clinical symptoms in long COVID and also in acute COVID-19 patients. It is discussed that in the bacteriophage similar behavior, the presence of toxins produced by bacteria continuously after viral aggression can be blocked using an appropriate combination of certain drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Brogna
- Department of Research, Craniomed Group Facility Srl., 20091 Bresso, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (M.P.)
| | | | - Barbara Brogna
- Department of Radiology, Moscati Hospital, Contrada Amoretta, 83100 Avellino, Italy
| | | | - Giuliano Marino
- Marsanconsulting Srl. Public Health Company, Via dei Fiorentini, 80133 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit and Service of Life Style Medicine in Uro-Andrology, Local Health Authority (ASL), 84124 Salerno, Italy
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (M.P.)
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Miwa T, Hanai T, Imai K, Takai K, Shiraki M, Hayashi H, Shimizu S, Nishigaki Y, Tomita E, Shimizu M. Effects of Rifaximin on Circulating Albumin Structures and Serum Ammonia Levels in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Preliminary Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11247318. [PMID: 36555935 PMCID: PMC9784744 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11247318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating albumin structures, including their oxidized and reduced forms, are involved in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) development. However, the effects of rifaximin, a key drug in HE treatment, on the circulating albumin structure in patients with liver cirrhosis remain unclear. In this multicenter prospective study, eight patients with hyperammonemia (≥80 μg/dL) were enrolled. The circulating albumin structure was evaluated using the ratio of oxidized albumin (human nonmercaptalbumin, HNA). Patients were administered 400 mg rifaximin 3 times/day for 3 months, and laboratory data were assessed at baseline and during observation. Among the eight patients, three were men; the median age and body mass index were 70 years and 26.4 kg/m2, respectively. The median HNA and serum ammonia levels at baseline were 41% and 143 μg/dL, respectively. After rifaximin therapy, HNA showed a decreasing tendency (median; from 41% to 36%, p = 0.321), but serum albumin levels showed no significant change (from 3.5 g/dL to 3.5 g/dL, p = 1.00); serum ammonia levels significantly reduced (median: 143 μg/dL to 76 μg/dL, p = 0.015). Thus, rifaximin reduces serum ammonia levels and may improve circulating albumin structure in patients with cirrhosis. Further large-scale studies are required to confirm these preliminary results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Miwa
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
- Health Administration Center, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-(58)-230-6308
| | - Tatsunori Hanai
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
- Center for Nutrition Support & Infection Control, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Kenji Imai
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Koji Takai
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
- Division for Regional Cancer Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Makoto Shiraki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chuno Kosei Hospital, Gifu 501-3802, Japan
| | - Hideki Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu 500-8513, Japan
| | - Shogo Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center, Gifu 500-8717, Japan
| | - Yoichi Nishigaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu 500-8513, Japan
| | - Eiichi Tomita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu 500-8513, Japan
| | - Masahito Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
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Minata M, Harada KH, Yamaguchi T, Fujitani T, Nakagawa H. Diabetes Mellitus May Exacerbate Liver Injury in Patients with COVID-19: A Single-Center, Observational, Retrospective Study. Diabetes Ther 2022; 13:1847-1860. [PMID: 36136238 PMCID: PMC9493161 DOI: 10.1007/s13300-022-01318-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is having a profound effect on global health. In this study, we investigated early predictors of severe prognosis from the perspective of liver injury and risk factors for severe liver injury in patients with COVID-19. METHODS We examined prognostic markers and risk factors for severe liver injury by analyzing clinical data measured throughout the course of the illness and the disease severity of 273 patients hospitalized for COVID-19. We assessed liver injury on the basis of aminotransferase concentrations and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index on admission, peak aminotransferase concentration during hospitalization, aminotransferase peak-to-average ratio, and albumin and total bilirubin concentrations. Furthermore, we analyzed age, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations, FIB-4 index on admission, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, and body mass index as mortality risk factors. RESULTS We identified advanced age as a risk factor. Among biochemical variables, AST concentration and FIB-4 index on admission were associated with high mortality. AST on admission and peak AST during hospitalization were significantly higher in the non-surviving (n = 45) than the discharged group (n = 228). Multivariable Cox hazards analyses for mortality showed significant hazard ratios for age, peak AST, and FIB-4 index on admission (p = 0.0001 and 0.0108, respectively), but not in a model including AST and FIB-4 index on admission. Furthermore, the AST peak was significantly higher among non-surviving patients with DM than in those without DM. CONCLUSIONS We found that advanced age, high AST, and FIB-4 index on admission and a higher peak AST during hospitalization are risk factors for poor COVID-19 prognosis. Furthermore, DM was a risk factor for exacerbation of liver injury among non-surviving patients. The AST concentration and FIB-4 index should be assessed periodically throughout hospitalization, especially in patients with high AST values on admission and those with DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuko Minata
- Research Institute, Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, 10-50, 2-chome, Tanigawa, Daito, Osaka, 574-0074, Japan.
- Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, 10-50, 2-chome, Tanigawa, Daito, Osaka, 574-0074, Japan.
| | - Kouji H Harada
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Konoe-cho Yoshida Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Yamaguchi
- Research Institute, Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, 10-50, 2-chome, Tanigawa, Daito, Osaka, 574-0074, Japan
- Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, 10-50, 2-chome, Tanigawa, Daito, Osaka, 574-0074, Japan
| | - Tomoko Fujitani
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Konoe-cho Yoshida Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hidemitsu Nakagawa
- Research Institute, Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, 10-50, 2-chome, Tanigawa, Daito, Osaka, 574-0074, Japan
- Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, 10-50, 2-chome, Tanigawa, Daito, Osaka, 574-0074, Japan
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Enomoto M, Kaji K, Nishimura N, Fujimoto Y, Murata K, Takeda S, Tsuji Y, Fujinaga Y, Takaya H, Kawaratani H, Namisaki T, Akahane T, Yoshiji H. Rifaximin and lubiprostone mitigate liver fibrosis development by repairing gut barrier function in diet-induced rat steatohepatitis. Dig Liver Dis 2022; 54:1392-1402. [PMID: 35514019 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2022.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affects the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathogenesis, few studies have focused on this relationship to develop treatments for NASH. AIMS To explore the effects of combination with rifaximin and lubiprostone on NASH liver fibrosis through the modulation of gut barrier function. METHODS To induce steatohepatitis, F344 rats were fed a choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet for 12 weeks and received oral administration of rifaximin and/or lubiprostone. Histological, molecular, and fecal microbial analyses were performed. Barrier function in Caco-2 cells were assessed by in vitro assays. RESULTS Combination rifaximin/lubiprostone treatment significantly suppressed macrophage expansion, proinflammatory responses, and liver fibrosis in CDAA-fed rats by blocking hepatic translocation of LPS and activation of toll-like receptor 4 signaling. Rifaximin and lubiprostone improved intestinal permeability via restoring tight junction proteins (TJPs) with the intestinal activation of pregnane X receptor and chloride channel-2, respectively. Moreover, this combination increased the abundance of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Faecalibacterium as well as decreased that of Veillonella resulting in an increase of fecal short-chain fatty acids and a decrease of intestinal sialidase activity. Both agents also directly suppressed the LPS-induced barrier dysfunction and depletion of TJPs in Caco-2 cells. CONCLUSION The combination of rifaximin and lubiprostone may provide a novel strategy for treating NASH-related fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahide Enomoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kaji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan.
| | - Norihisa Nishimura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Yuki Fujimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Koji Murata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Soichi Takeda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Yuki Tsuji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Yukihisa Fujinaga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Takaya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Hideto Kawaratani
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Tadashi Namisaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Takemi Akahane
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yoshiji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
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Murata K, Kaji K, Nishimura N, Enomoto M, Fujimoto Y, Takeda S, Tsuji Y, Fujinaga Y, Takaya H, Kawaratani H, Namisaki T, Akahane T, Yoshiji H. Rifaximin enhances the L‑carnitine‑mediated preventive effects on skeletal muscle atrophy in cirrhotic rats by modulating the gut‑liver‑muscle axis. Int J Mol Med 2022; 50:101. [PMID: 35686541 PMCID: PMC9242656 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut‑liver‑muscle axis is associated with the development of sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis. The present study aimed to illustrate the combined effects of rifaximin and L‑carnitine on skeletal muscle atrophy in cirrhotic rats with steatohepatitis. For this purpose, a total of 344 Fischer rats were fed a choline‑deficient L‑amino acid‑defined (CDAA) diet with the daily oral administration of rifaximin (100 mg/kg) and/or L‑carnitine (200 mg/kg), and measurements of psoas muscle mass index and forelimb grip strength were performed. After feeding for 12 weeks, blood samples, and liver, ileum and gastrocnemius muscle tissues were harvested. The effects of L‑carnitine on rat myocytes were assessed using in vitro assays. Treatment with rifaximin attenuated hyperammonemia and liver fibrosis in the CDAA‑fed rats. Moreover, it improved intestinal permeability with the restoration of tight junction proteins and suppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑mediated hepatic macrophage activation and pro‑inflammatory response. In addition, rifaximin prevented skeletal muscle mass atrophy and weakness by decreasing intramuscular myostatin and pro‑inflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, rifaximin synergistically enhanced the L‑carnitine‑mediated improvement of skeletal muscle wasting by promoting the production of insulin‑like growth factor‑1 and mitochondrial biogenesis, resulting in the inhibition of the ubiquitin‑proteasome system (UPS). The in vitro assays revealed that L‑carnitine directly attenuated the impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby inhibiting the UPS in rat myocytes that were stimulated with LPS or tumor necrosis factor‑α. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the combination of rifaximin with L‑carnitine may provide a clinical benefit for liver cirrhosis‑related sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Murata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kaji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Norihisa Nishimura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Masahide Enomoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Yuki Fujimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Soichi Takeda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Yuki Tsuji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Yukihisa Fujinaga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Takaya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Hideto Kawaratani
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Tadashi Namisaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Takemi Akahane
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yoshiji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634‑8521, Japan
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Leone P, Mincheva G, Balzano T, Malaguarnera M, Felipo V, Llansola M. Rifaximin Improves Spatial Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats with Liver Damage-Associated Neuroinflammation. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1263. [PMID: 35740285 PMCID: PMC9219896 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may show mild cognitive impairment. Neuroinflammation in the hippocampus mediates cognitive impairment in rat models of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Treatment with rifaximin reverses cognitive impairment in a large proportion of cirrhotic patients with MHE. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aims of this work were to assess if rats with mild liver damage, as a model of NAFLD, show neuroinflammation in the hippocampus and impaired cognitive function, if treatment with rifaximin reverses it, and to study the underlying mechanisms. Mild liver damage was induced with carbon-tetrachloride. Infiltration of immune cells, glial activation, and cytokine expression, as well as glutamate receptors expression in the hippocampus and cognitive function were assessed. We assessed the effects of daily treatment with rifaximin on the alterations showed by these rats. Rats with mild liver damage showed hippocampal neuroinflammation, reduced membrane expression of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits, and impaired spatial memory. Increased C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2), infiltration of monocytes, microglia activation, and increased tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were reversed by rifaximin, that normalized NMDA receptor expression and improved spatial memory. Thus, rifaximin reduces neuroinflammation and improves cognitive function in rats with mild liver damage, being a promising therapy for patients with NAFLD showing mild cognitive impairment.
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Jian J, Nie MT, Xiang B, Qian H, Yin C, Zhang X, Zhang M, Zhu X, Xie WF. Rifaximin Ameliorates Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice Through Regulating gut Microbiome-Related Bile Acids. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:841132. [PMID: 35450049 PMCID: PMC9017645 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.841132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The non-absorbable antibiotic rifaximin has been used for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, traveling diarrhea, and hepatic encephalopathy, but the efficacy of rifaximin in NASH patients remains controversial. This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of rifaximin treatment in mice with methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced NASH. We found that rifaximin greatly ameliorated hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation, and fibrogenesis in MCD-fed mice. Bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the gut microbiome was significantly altered in MCD-fed mice. Rifaximin treatment enriched 13 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to the groups Muribaculaceae, Parabacteroides, Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002, uncultured Oscillospiraceae, Dubosiella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Mucispirillum, and uncultured Desulfovibrionaceae. However, rifaximin treatment also reduced seven ASVs in the groups Aerococcus, Oscillospiraceae, uncultured Ruminococcaceae, Bilophila, Muribaculaceae, Helicobacter, and Alistipes in MCD-fed mice. Bile acid-targeted metabolomic analysis indicated that the MCD diet resulted in accumulation of primary bile acids and deoxycholic acid (DCA) in the ileum. Rifaximin delivery reduced DCA levels in MCD-fed mice. Correlation analysis further showed that DCA levels were associated with differentially abundant ASVs modulated by rifaximin. In conclusion, rifaximin may ameliorate NASH by decreasing ileal DCA through alteration of the gut microbiome in MCD-fed mice. Rifaximin treatment may therefore be a promising approach for NASH therapy in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jian
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Mei-Tong Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Baoyu Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Qian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Menghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei-Fen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Mostafa TM, El-Azab GA, Badra GA, Abdelwahed AS, Elsayed AA. Effect of Candesartan and Ramipril on Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Viral Infection: A Randomized Controlled Prospective Study. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2021; 95:100654. [PMID: 34925649 PMCID: PMC8649584 DOI: 10.1016/j.curtheres.2021.100654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the effects of candesartan and ramipril on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: This randomized controlled prospective study involved 64 patients with chronic hepatitis C and liver fibrosis. Participants were randomized into 3 groups: group I (control group; n = 21), members of which received traditional therapy only; group 2 (ramipril group; n = 21), members of which received traditional therapy plus 1.25 mg/d oral ramipril; and group 3 (candesartan group; n = 22), members of which received traditional therapy plus 8 mg/d oral candesartan. Patients were assessed at baseline and 6 months after intervention through measuring of liver stiffness (Fibro-Scan; Echosens, Paris, France); evaluation of the serum levels of hyaluronic acid and transforming growth factor beta-1; and calculation of indices of liver fibrosis, including fibrosis index based on the 4 factors and aspartate transaminase-to-platelet-ratio index. Data were analyzed using paired t test and 1-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's honest significant difference test for multiple pairwise comparisons. Results: At baseline, the 3 study groups were statistically similar in demographic and laboratory data. After treatment, the 3 study groups showed significant decrease in liver stiffness, serum levels of hyaluronic acid and transforming growth factor beta-1, and indices of liver fibrosis compared with baseline data (P < 0.001). Six months after treatment, patients taking ramipril and candesartan showed significant improvement in all measured parameters compared with the control group. Additionally, the candesartan-treated group showed significant decrease in liver stiffness, biomarkers, and indices of liver fibrosis compared with ramipril recipients. Conclusions: The administration of ramipril and candesartan in patients with chronic hepatitis C with hepatic fibrosis was well tolerated and effective in improving liver fibrosis. angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1) antagonist candesartan maintained antifibrotic effects more effectively than ramipril and may represent a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03770936. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2022; 83:XXX-XXX) © 2022 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek M Mostafa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Gamal A El-Azab
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Gamal A Badra
- National Liver Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-kom, Egypt
| | - Alyaa S Abdelwahed
- National Liver Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-kom, Egypt
| | - Abeer A Elsayed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Al-Arish, Egypt
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15
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Bruneau A, Hundertmark J, Guillot A, Tacke F. Molecular and Cellular Mediators of the Gut-Liver Axis in the Progression of Liver Diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:725390. [PMID: 34650994 PMCID: PMC8505679 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.725390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut-liver axis covers the bidirectional communication between the gut and the liver, and thus includes signals from liver-to-gut (e.g., bile acids, immunoglobulins) and from gut-to-liver (e.g., nutrients, microbiota-derived products, and recirculating bile acids). In a healthy individual, liver homeostasis is tightly controlled by the mostly tolerogenic liver resident macrophages, the Kupffer cells, capturing the gut-derived antigens from the blood circulation. However, disturbances of the gut-liver axis have been associated to the progression of varying chronic liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Notably, changes of the gut microbiome, or intestinal dysbiosis, combined with increased intestinal permeability, leads to the translocation of gut-derived bacteria or their metabolites into the portal vein. In the context of concomitant or subsequent liver inflammation, the liver is then infiltrated by responsive immune cells (e.g., monocytes, neutrophils, lymphoid, or dendritic cells), and microbiota-derived products may provoke or exacerbate innate immune responses, hence perpetuating liver inflammation and fibrosis, and potentiating the risks of developing cirrhosis. Similarly, food derived antigens, bile acids, danger-, and pathogen-associated molecular patterns are able to reshape the liver immune microenvironment. Immune cell intracellular signaling components, such as inflammasome activation, toll-like receptor or nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors signaling, are potent targets of interest for the modulation of the immune response. This review describes the current understanding of the cellular landscape and molecular pathways involved in the gut-liver axis and implicated in chronic liver disease progression. We also provide an overview of innovative therapeutic approaches and current clinical trials aiming at targeting the gut-liver axis for the treatment of patients with chronic liver and/or intestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Bruneau
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Hundertmark
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Adrien Guillot
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Antifibrotic therapies for the treatment of liver fibrosis represent an unconquered area of drug development. The significant involvement of the gut microbiota as a driving force in a multitude of liver disease, be it pathogenesis or fibrotic progression, suggest that targeting the gut–liver axis, relevant signaling pathways, and/or manipulation of the gut’s commensal microbial composition and its metabolites may offer opportunities for biomarker discovery, novel therapies and personalized medicine development. Here, we review potential links between bacterial translocation and deficits of host-microbiome compartmentalization and liver fibrosis that occur in settings of advanced chronic liver disease. We discuss established and emerging therapeutic strategies, translated from our current knowledge of the gut–liver axis, targeted at restoring intestinal eubiosis, ameliorating hepatic fibrosis and rising portal hypertension that characterize and define the course of decompensated cirrhosis.
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Kawaguchi T, Torimura T. Leaky Gut-Derived TNF-α Causes Sarcopenia in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis. Clin Mol Hepatol 2021; 28:177-180. [PMID: 34433256 PMCID: PMC9013621 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2021.0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Kawaguchi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Takuji Torimura
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
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Zhang C, Yang M. Current Options and Future Directions for NAFLD and NASH Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147571. [PMID: 34299189 PMCID: PMC8306701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, with a broad spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to advanced stage of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although there are many undergoing clinical trials for NAFLD treatment, there is no currently approved treatment. NAFLD accounts as a major causing factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its incidence rises accompanying the prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Reprogramming of antidiabetic and anti-obesity medicine is a major treatment option for NAFLD and NASH. Liver inflammation and cellular death, with or without fibrosis account for the progression of NAFLD to NASH. Therefore, molecules and signaling pathways involved in hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and cell death are critically important targets for the therapy of NAFLD and NASH. In addition, the avoidance of aberrant infiltration of inflammatory cytokines by treating with CCR antagonists also provides a therapeutic option. Currently, there is an increasing number of pre-clinical and clinical trials undergoing to evaluate the effects of antidiabetic and anti-obesity drugs, antibiotics, pan-caspase inhibitors, CCR2/5 antagonists, and others on NAFLD, NASH, and liver fibrosis. Non-invasive serum diagnostic markers are developed for fulfilling the need of diagnostic testing in a large amount of NAFLD cases. Overall, a better understanding of the underlying mechanism of the pathogenesis of NAFLD is helpful to choose an optimized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunye Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Correspondence:
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Chen Y, Jiang Z, Lei Z, Ping J, Su J. Effect of rifaximin on gut-lung axis in mice infected with influenza A virus. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 75:101611. [PMID: 33503578 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gut-lung axis injury is a common finding in patients with respiratory diseases as well as in animal model of influenza virus infection. Influenza virus damages the intestinal microecology while affecting the lungs. Rifaximin, a non-absorbable derivative of rifamycin, is an effective antibiotic that acts by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis. This study aimed to determine whether rifaximin-perturbation of the intestinal microbiome leads to protective effects against influenza infection, via the gut-lung axis. Our results showed that influenza virus infection caused inflammation of and damage to the lungs. The expression of tight junction proteins in the lung and colon of H1N1 infected mice decreased significantly, attesting that the barrier structure of the lung and colon was damaged. Due to this perturbation in the gut-lung axis, the intestinal microbiota became imbalanced as Escherichia coli bacteria replicated opportunistically, causing intestinal injury. When influenza infection was treated with rifamixin, qPCR results from the gut showed significant increases in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations, while Escherichia coli populations markedly decreased. Furthermore, pathology sections and western blotting results illustrated that rifaximin treatment strengthened the physical barriers of the lung-gut axis through increased expression of tight junction protein in the colon and lungs. These results indicated that rifaximin ameliorated lung and intestine injury induced by influenza virus infection. The mechanisms identified were the regulation of gut flora balance and intestinal and lung permeability, which might be related to the regulation of the gut-lung axis. Rifaximin might be useful as a co-treatment drug for the prevention of influenza virus infection.
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