Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji Hye Jun, Soo Young Park, Sohae Park, Hee Jung Park, Jae Yeon Kim, Gyu Tae Park, Si Hyun Bae, Jae Ho Kim, Gi Jin Kim
Summary: The hexapeptide WKYMVm demonstrates antifibrotic and angiogenic effects in a rat model of bile duct ligation (BDL), showing a reduction in collagen type I and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and an increase in angiogenetic factors. Furthermore, WKYMVm alleviates hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and promotes hepatic regeneration via vascular remodeling, making it a potential therapeutic agent for liver fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Floris Haijer, Shiva Koets-Shajari, Janette Heegsma, Sandra Serna-Salas, Tjasso Blokzijl, Manon Buist-Homan, Han Moshage, Klaas Nico Faber
Summary: Liver fibrosis is caused by excessive proliferation and collagen production by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) due to chronic liver injury. Hydroxyurea, an anti-proliferative drug, showed inhibitory effects on HSC proliferation and fibrosis development in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. This study provides evidence for the therapeutic potential of hydroxyurea in treating liver fibrosis.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xin Han, YanLing Wu, Qiao Yang, Gang Cao
Summary: Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing process associated with the deposition of extracellular matrix produced by myofibroblasts. Activation of HSCs, inflammation, oxidative stress, steatosis, and aging play critical roles in liver fibrosis progression, which is correlated with the regulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway. PPAR ligands have been explored as potential therapeutic agents for reversing steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Atsushi Nakamura, Tsubasa Yoshimura, Hitoshi Asakura
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between hepatic fat loss and malnutrition in chronic liver disease using magnetic resonance imaging. The results showed that decreased body fat mass and triglycerides, as well as increased nutritional assessment score, were associated with hepatic fat loss. Furthermore, hepatic fat loss and Child-Pugh score were identified as independent prognostic factors for patients with cirrhosis. These findings emphasize the importance of preserving liver fat content in nutritional therapy for cirrhotic patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Norihisa Nishimura, Davide De Battista, David R. McGivern, Ronald E. Engle, Ashley Tice, Rafaelle Fares-Gusmao, Juraj Kabat, Anna Pomerenke, Hanh Nguyen, Shinya Sato, Kevin W. Bock, Ian N. Moore, David E. Kleiner, Fausto Zamboni, Harvey J. Alter, Sugantha Govindarajan, Patrizia Farci
Summary: This study found that CHI3L1 promotes liver fibrogenesis through a direct effect on HSCs, supporting a role for CHI3L1 in the increased susceptibility of aging livers to fibrosis progression.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandre Berthier, Manuel Johanns, Francesco Paolo Zummo, Philippe Lefebvre, Bart Staels
Summary: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play crucial roles in hepatic and whole-body energy homeostasis, with emerging evidence suggesting involvement in more processes beyond lipid and glucose metabolism. Recent studies have revealed unexpected complexity in the regulation of PPARs, including tissular zonation, cellular heterogeneity, circadian rhythms, sexual dimorphism, and species-specific features that were previously overlooked.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Roberta Catania, Alessandro Furlan, Andrew D. Smith, Jaideep Behari, Mitchell E. Tublin, Amir A. Borhani
Summary: The study found that MRI-derived liver surface nodularity (LSN) score can accurately detect advanced liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients. There is a strong correlation between LSN score and fibrosis stage, with 81% sensitivity and 88% specificity for detecting F3-F4 fibrosis.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rohit Loomba, Daniel Q. Huang, Arun J. Sanyal, Quentin Mark Anstee, Michael Trauner, Eric J. Lawitz, Dora Ding, Lily Ma, Catherine Jia, Andrew Billin, Ryan S. Huss, Chuhan Chung, Zachary Goodman, Vincent Wai-Sun Wong, Takeshi Okanoue, Manuel Romero-Gomez, Manal F. Abdelmalek, Andrew Muir, Nezam Afdhal, Jaime Bosch, Stephen Harrison, Zobair M. Younossi, Robert P. Myers
Summary: In patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver stiffness (LS) measured by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) can predict the progression of cirrhosis and the risk of liver decompensation.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Qingling Chen, Ling Mei, Rui Zhong, Ping Han, Jun Wen, Xu Han, Lu Zhai, Lili Zhao, Jia Li
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate whether serum liver fibrosis markers can predict hepatic decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis. The results showed that serum LN and CIV levels were independently associated with hepatic decompensation. Particularly, CIV level appeared to be a reliable biomarker of disease progression and liver decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis.
BMC GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Vincent De Smet, Nathalie Eysackers, Vincent Merens, Mina Kazemzadeh Dastjerd, Georg Halder, Stefaan Verhulst, Inge Mannaerts, Leo A. van Grunsven
Summary: Recent research has shown that both the initiation and activation transcriptional programs of hepatic stellate cells are active in mice and humans with chronic liver disease. This suggests that molecules involved in both phases are equally important in finding druggable targets for chronic liver disease.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Huapeng Lin, Grace Lai-Hung Wong, Xinrong Zhang, Terry Cheuk-Fung Yip, Ken Liu, Yee Kit Tse, Vicki Wing-Ki Hui, Jimmy Che-To Lai, Henry Lik-Yuen Chan, Vincent Wai-Sun Wong
Summary: This study aimed to determine the association between blood urea level and incident cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease. The results showed a U-shaped relationship between blood urea level and hepatic decompensation and cirrhosis, with both low and high urea levels associated with higher risks.
CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Chiara Mangini, Sara Montagnese
Summary: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of advanced liver disease with significant implications for patients, families, healthcare services, and society as a whole. The past few years have seen increased attention towards HE and the development of new drugs/management strategies to address this serious management challenge.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Beatriz San-Miguel, Paula Fernandez-Palanca, Jose L. Mauriz, Maria J. Tunon, Javier Gonzalez-Gallego
Summary: Melatonin has shown beneficial effects in liver fibrosis, by reducing profibrogenic markers, modulating cellular processes and molecular pathways, acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It has the potential to ameliorate the development and progression of liver fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Christian Labenz, Anita Arslanow, Marc Nguyen-Tat, Michael Nagel, Marcus-Alexander Woerns, Matthias Christian Reichert, Franz Josef Heil, Dagmar Mainz, Gundula Zimper, Barbara Roemer, Harald Binder, Erik Farin-Glattacker, Urs Fichtner, Erika Graf, Dominikus Stelzer, Reyn Van Ewijk, Julia Ortner, Louis Velthuis, Frank Lammert, Peter R. Galle
Summary: This study demonstrates that the implementation of a structured screening program using easily obtainable measures of liver function may increase the early detection rate of cirrhosis in the general population.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ana C. Silva, Paulo Nogueira, Mariana V. Machado
Summary: NAFLD can occur after liver transplantation as recurrent or de novo hepatic steatosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis of post-LT HS. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including 40 studies representing 6979 patients. The prevalence of post-LT HS was 39.76%, with a rising kinetics and a geographical distribution. Recurrent HS was more likely than de novo HS, and metabolic disturbances were stronger risk factors in post-LT recipients. Donor factors were not significant, but sirolimus was associated with increased risk. The prevalence of post-LT steatohepatitis was 28.82%, and pre-LT NAFLD was the strongest risk factor. Limited outcomes data suggest that post-LT HS did not increase the risk for liver cirrhosis or mortality. Lifestyle interventions and avoidance of sirolimus are recommended.
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Oana Nicoara-Farcau, Guohong Han, Marika Rudler, Debora Angrisani, Alberto Monescillo, Ferran Torres, Georgina Casanovas, Jaime Bosch, Yong Lv, Dominique Thabut, Daiming Fan, Virginia Hernandez-Gea, Juan Carlos Garcia-Pagan
Summary: In a meta-analysis of data from 1327 patients with cirrhosis, acute variceal bleeding, and Child-Pugh score between 10 and 13 points or CP-B+AB, preemptive TIPS increased the proportion who survived for 1 year, in both subgroups separately, compared with drugs plus endoscopy.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jordi Gracia-Sancho, Esther Caparros, Anabel Fernandez-Iglesias, Ruben Frances
Summary: Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) play crucial roles in hepatic homeostasis, being involved in regulation of vascular tone, inflammation, and thrombosis, as well as control of the hepatic immune response. Dysregulations of LSECs in the context of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma make them potential therapeutic targets.
NATURE REVIEWS GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Elliot B. Tapper, Jaume Bosch
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Elise Vuille-Lessard, Matteo Montani, Jaume Bosch, Nasser Semmo
Summary: Autoimmune diseases have been reported to develop after SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as following vaccination against the virus. The potential mechanisms involve molecular mimicry and bystander activation. Further investigation is needed to understand the link between SARS-CoV2 vaccination and autoimmune diseases.
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
(2021)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Cornelius Engelmann, Joan Claria, Gyongyi Szabo, Jaume Bosch, Mauro Bernardi
Summary: Patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis have a poor prognosis and often progress to acute-on-chronic liver failure. The pathomechanisms involved in decompensation and disease progression are not well understood, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic targets. Research has identified systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and metabolic changes as key factors leading to tissue injury and extrahepatic organ failure, emphasizing the urgent need for new treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Nicolo Manicardi, Anabel Fernandez-Iglesias, Laia Abad-Jorda, Felix Royo, Mikel Azkargorta, Marti Ortega-Ribera, David Sanfeliu-Redondo, Ana Martinez-Alcocer, Felix Elortza, Amelia J. Hessheimer, Constantino Fondevila, Juan Jose Lozano, Juan Carlos Garcia-Pagan, Jaime Bosch, Francisco Javier Cubero, Agustin Albillos, Javier Vaquero, Juan M. Falcon-Perez, Jordi Gracia-Sancho
Summary: This study defines the transcriptome and secretome of primary LSECs during the progression of cirrhosis, revealing specific molecular signatures, novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for patients with advanced chronic liver disease. The analysis of LSECs in pre-clinical models and fresh human cirrhotic tissue showed common modifications in gene expression related to pro-oncogenic processes and extracellular vesicles biogenesis. The study also identified endothelial EVs as potent angiocrine effectors and discovered stage-specific proteomic signatures that could be potential therapeutic targets for treating cirrhotic patients.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Roberto de Franchis, Jaime Bosch, Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao, Thomas Reiberger, Cristina Ripoll
Summary: The Baveno VII workshop focused on personalized care for portal hypertension in patients with compensated cirrhosis or cACLD, discussing various aspects including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention measures in 9 main topics, resulting in a series of consensus recommendations.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Ester Garcia-Pras, Anabel Fernandez-Iglesias, Jordi Gracia-Sancho, Sofia Perez-del-Pulgar
Summary: The progression of liver tumors is influenced by the interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding environment. Cell death can promote inflammation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis, but also be targeted as a therapeutic approach. Nonparenchymal hepatic cells play a crucial role in establishing the tumor microenvironment and stimulating tumorigenesis.
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Roberto de Franchis, Jaume Bosch, Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao, Thomas Reiberger, Cristina Ripoll
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
J. A. U. M. E. Bosch
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Chiara Becchetti, Melisa Dirchwolf, Annalisa Berzigotti, Jaume Bosch
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ian Rowe, Candid E. Villanueva, Jessica Shearer, Ferran Torres, Agustin Albillos, Joan C. Genesca, Joan Garcia-Pagan, Dhiraj C. Tripathi, Peter Hayes, Jaume G. Bosch, Juan Abraldes
Summary: This study conducted a Bayesian reanalysis of PREDESCI and found that beta-blocker treatment is highly likely to prevent decompensation and provides a substantial gain in decompensation-free life years at the population level.
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Candid Villanueva, Ferran Torres, Dhiraj Tripathi, Jaume Bosch
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Eric Felli, Sonia Selicean, Sergi Guixe-Muntet, Cong Wang, Jaume Bosch, Annalisa Berzigotti, Jordi Gracia-Sancho
Summary: The interaction between mechanical stimuli and cellular mechanobiology plays a crucial role in the physiology of tissues and organs, particularly in cirrhosis. Various mechanical forces can trigger and sustain the progression of liver fibrosis, with reciprocal communication between cells and their environment driving disease progression. Therefore, mechanobiology-mediated pathways may serve as strategic targets for novel therapeutic approaches.