Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hiroaki Takaya, Tadashi Namisaki, Shohei Asada, Satoshi Iwai, Takahiro Kubo, Junya Suzuki, Masahide Enomoto, Yuki Tsuji, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Norihisa Nishimura, Yasuhiko Sawada, Kosuke Kaji, Hideto Kawaratani, Kei Moriya, Takemi Akahane, Masanori Matsumoto, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: The study investigated the relationship among ADAMTS13:AC, VWF:Ag, and endotoxin levels in patients with liver cirrhosis. The levels of ADAMTS13:AC, VWF:Ag, and endotoxin varied with the severity of liver cirrhosis, suggesting potential interrelatedness and associations with hypercoagulability.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephen D. H. Malnick, Pavel Alin, Marina Somin, Manuela G. Neuman
Summary: Both alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) involve abnormal fat accumulation in the liver, potentially caused by excessive alcohol consumption and the combination of alcohol consumption and medications. The liver pathology is similar in both conditions, progressing from simple steatosis to inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Evaluating the medical history of alcohol consumption, laboratory markers, AST/ALT ratio, and features of the metabolic syndrome can help estimate the contribution of alcohol intake and metabolic syndrome to liver steatosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Takaomi Kessoku, Takashi Kobayashi, Kento Imajo, Kosuke Tanaka, Atsushi Yamamoto, Kota Takahashi, Yuki Kasai, Anna Ozaki, Michihiro Iwaki, Asako Nogami, Yasushi Honda, Yuji Ogawa, Shingo Kato, Takuma Higurashi, Kunihiro Hosono, Masato Yoneda, Takayuki Okamoto, Haruki Usuda, Koichiro Wada, Noritoshi Kobayashi, Satoru Saito, Atsushi Nakajima
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide, and can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Elevated levels of endotoxins contribute to the progression of NASH, and targeting the intestinal barrier may be a novel approach to treatment.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shinya Sato, Tadashi Namisaki, Koji Murata, Yuki Fujimoto, Soichi Takeda, Masahide Enomoto, Akihiko Shibamoto, Koji Ishida, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Hirotetsu Takagi, Yuki Tsuji, Daisuke Kaya, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Masanori Furukawa, Takashi Inoue, Yasuhiko Sawada, Norihisa Nishimura, Koh Kitagawa, Takahiro Ozutsumi, Hiroaki Takaya, Kosuke Kaji, Naotaka Shimozato, Hideto Kawaratani, Kei Moriya, Takemi Akahane, Akira Mitoro, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: This study aimed to prospectively identify risk factors for sarcopenia in cirrhosis patients. Findings showed correlations between skeletal muscle mass index and endotoxin activity in different cirrhosis etiologies, highlighting the differences in sarcopenia risk factors among the various causes of cirrhosis.
Article
Psychiatry
Piotr Koceniak, Zaneta Chatys-Bogacka, Agnieszka Slowik, Tomasz Dziedzic
Summary: The study aimed to determine the association between peripheral inflammation and post-stroke fatigue (PSF). The results showed that in patients with fatigue at 3 months after stroke, there was a lower release of cytokine TNF alpha, particularly after endotoxin stimulation. This reduced TNF alpha synthesis may serve as a predictor for PSF.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Cecile L. Karsenty, Susan E. Kirk, Hannah L. Helber, Jose M. Esquilin, Jenny M. Despotovic, Amanda B. Grimes
Summary: This article reviews thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and discusses two cases of TTP in adolescents, emphasizing the need to consider late-onset congenital TTP (cTTP). The importance of early confirmation of ADAMTS13 enzyme deficiency and the presence or absence of ADAMTS13 inhibitor is demonstrated in order to initiate appropriate life-saving therapies. Ultimately, molecular testing is crucial for distinguishing between congenital and acquired immune-mediated TTP.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Bhupinder Kaur, Russell Rosenblatt, Vinay Sundaram
Summary: Severe alcoholic hepatitis (sAH) is defined by certain criteria and is associated with immunocompromised state and increased risk of infections. This review discusses the common infections and risk factors in sAH patients, as well as the diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic strategies currently used.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Philipp Kasper, Sonja Lang, Hans-Michael Steffen, Muenevver Demir
Summary: Alcohol-associated liver disease is a leading cause of liver-related mortality and a common reason for liver transplantation worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased rates of alcohol-associated hepatitis, highlighting the seriousness of this health problem. However, managing alcoholic hepatitis and its complications remains challenging in clinical practice.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Bei Gao, Xinlian Zhang, Bernd Schnabl
Summary: Alcohol-related liver disease is a common chronic liver disease globally, starting from fatty liver and progressing to hepatic inflammation, hepatocyte injury, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Changes in the composition of gut bacteria and fungi have been observed in patients with alcohol-related liver disease. Positive and negative associations between certain fungi and bacteria were found in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olaf Holz, Meike Mueller, Saskia Carstensen, Anna-Carin Olin, Jens M. Hohlfeld
Summary: In this study, we used the endotoxin challenge model to monitor particles in exhaled air (PEx) and demonstrated that PEx can be used to monitor inflammatory changes in the lung. We were able to detect a cytokine response in PEx during the early phase of LPS-induced inflammation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lisha Joshi, Ioanna Plastira, Eva Bernhart, Helga Reicher, Zhanat Koshenov, Wolfgang F. Graier, Nemanja Vujic, Dagmar Kratky, Richard Rivera, Jerold Chun, Wolfgang Sattler
Summary: Systemic inflammation induces increased synthesis of LPA(5), which activates microglia and promotes neuroinflammation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dragana Rajcic, Anja Baumann, Angelica Hernandez-Arriaga, Annette Brandt, Anika Nier, Cheng Jun Jin, Victor Sanchez, Finn Jung, Amelia Camarinha-Silva, Ina Bergheim
Summary: The study found that the nonproteogenic amino acid L-citrulline (L-Cit) can attenuate the progression of pre-existing diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and this protective effect is related to a decrease in bacterial endotoxin translocation, loss of tight junction proteins, and reduction in arginase activity in small intestinal tissue.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Victor Sanchez, Annette Brandt, Cheng Jun Jin, Dragana Rajcic, Anna Janina Engstler, Finn Jung, Anika Nier, Anja Baumann, Ina Bergheim
Summary: The study suggests that adding plant oils like soybean oil to a diet high in saturated fatty acids may help alleviate the development of NASH and glucose intolerance. By fortifying butterfat with soybean oil, the progression of early NASH and glucose intolerance in mice was attenuated through reduced liver inflammation, improved intestinal barrier function, and mitigation of reactive nitrogen species formation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiazhen Zheng, Ziyi Li, Hengyi Xu
Summary: Alcoholic hepatitis is a rapidly progressing and severe stage of alcoholic liver disease, and alterations in the intestinal microbiota play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Understanding the dynamics of the gut microbiota can contribute to the development of new treatment strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Quintijn Bonnez, Kazuya Sakai, Karen Vanhoorelbeke
Summary: Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare medical emergency that requires early and accurate diagnosis. ADAMTS13 deficiency is the underlying cause, and diagnostic strategies involve monitoring ADAMTS13 parameters. In addition to conventional ADAMTS13 testing, evaluating ADAMTS13 conformation and measuring non-ADAMTS13 parameters can assist in the diagnosis and follow-up of iTTP patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Atsushi Hiraoka, Masato Nakai, Nagisa Hara, Tatsunori Hanai, Tadashi Namisaki, Hisamitsu Miyaaki, Takashi Nakahara, Akira Hiramatsu, Hideko Ohama, Fujimasa Tada, Hirokazu Takahashi, Hiroshi Aikata, Yuichiro Eguchi, Yoichi Hiasa, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the severity distribution of alcohol dependence in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) using the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT). The results showed that harmful alcohol use and alcohol dependency were observed in approximately 10% of patients with viral or non-viral CLD, excluding those with alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD). Assessment of alcohol intake using AUDIT questionnaire and appropriate intervention should be considered necessary.
HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Koh Kitagawa, Akira Mitoro, Ryuki Minami, Shinsaku Nagamatsu, Takahiro Ozutsumi, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Norihisa Nishimura, Yasuhiko Sawada, Tadashi Namisaki, Takemi Akahane, Kosuke Kaji, Fumimasa Tomooka, Shohei Asada, Miki Kaneko, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of EUS-HGS using dedicated plastic stents, and found that this approach can be safely performed even in the initial phase of introduction, with high success rate and low risk of adverse events.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Hiroaki Takaya, Tadashi Namisaki, Takahiro Kubo, Masahide Enomoto, Yuki Tsuji, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Norihisa Nishimura, Kosuke Kaji, Hideto Kawaratani, Kei Moriya, Takemi Akahane, Masanori Matsumoto, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between VWF:Ag/ADAMTS13:AC and prognosis of ACLF, and found that VWF:Ag/ADAMTS13:AC was associated with prognosis in ACLF patients, with higher levels being associated with lower survival rates. VWF:Ag/ADAMTS13:AC can predict prognosis in patients with ACLF.
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Koh Kitagawa, Masayuki Sho, Hitoshi Yoshiji
DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yuta Yoshizaki, Manami Yamasaki, Takuya Nagata, Kengo Suzuki, Rio Yamada, Takuma Kato, Nobuo Murase, Akinori Kuzuya, Akira Asai, Kazuhide Higuchi, Kosuke Kaji, Hitoshi Yoshiji, Yuichi Ohya
Summary: Developing drug delivery vehicles that can accumulate drugs in the liver and transfer to hepatic stellate cells is crucial for treating hepatic fibrosis. In this study, HA-coated polymeric micelles were developed as potential drug delivery vehicles for liver fibrosis. These micelles exhibited specific cellular uptake in human hepatic stellate cells and high accumulation in the liver in vivo. Moreover, intravenous injection of HA-coated micelles entrapping an anti-fibrotic drug showed remarkable anti-fibrotic effects in a liver cirrhosis mouse model. Therefore, HA-coated micelles show promise for the clinical management of liver fibrosis.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Fumimasa Tomooka, Kosuke Kaji, Norihisa Nishimura, Takahiro Kubo, Satoshi Iwai, Akihiko Shibamoto, Junya Suzuki, Koh Kitagawa, Tadashi Namisaki, Takemi Akahane, Akira Mitoro, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: In this study, the effects of the combination of SFN and GEM on human iCCA cell growth were assessed. The results showed that SFN inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and suppressed angiogenesis and EMT in iCCA cells. Combination therapy with SFN and GEM had better therapeutic effects than single agent treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junya Suzuki, Kosuke Kaji, Norihisa Nishimura, Takahiro Kubo, Fumimasa Tomooka, Akihiko Shibamoto, Satoshi Iwai, Yuki Tsuji, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Koh Kitagawa, Tadashi Namisaki, Takemi Akahane, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays an important role in liver fibrosis and HSC activation. The natriuretic peptide system acts as a counter-regulatory hormone and is regulated by neprilysin. The combination of an angiotensin receptor and a neprilysin inhibitor has shown potential therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Takahiro Kubo, Hideto Kawaratani, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: Venous thrombosis following the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is rare, and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis is even more uncommon. SMV thrombosis should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients experiencing abdominal pain after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.
CLINICAL CASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Satoshi Iwai, Kosuke Kaji, Norihisa Nishimura, Takahiro Kubo, Fumimasa Tomooka, Akihiko Shibamoto, Junya Suzuki, Yuki Tsuji, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Koh Kitagawa, Tadashi Namisaki, Takemi Akahane, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: A recent study has found that the GLP-1RA medication semaglutide has therapeutic effects on skeletal muscle atrophy in type 2 diabetes patients. The experiment showed that semaglutide effectively inhibits muscle atrophy, improves grip strength, and prevents muscle protein degradation and promotes myogenesis. Mechanistically, semaglutide protects against hepatic injury, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, activates metabolic processes, and directly stimulates GLP-1R in myocytes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hitoshi Yoshiji, Junto Suzuki, Masafumi Imasaki, Eri Tsukimura, Makiko Miyano, Masayuki Kurosaki
Summary: This post-marketing surveillance study in Japan confirms the safety and effectiveness of Lustrombopag for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver diseases undergoing planned invasive procedures. The majority of patients avoided preoperative platelet transfusion and met the criteria for treatment response.
HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hideki Fujii, Yuichiro Suzuki, Koji Sawada, Miwa Tatsuta, Tatsuji Maeshiro, Hiroshi Tobita, Tsubasa Tsutsumi, Takemi Akahane, Chitomi Hasebe, Miwa Kawanaka, Takaomi Kessoku, Yuichiro Eguchi, Hayashi Syokita, Atsushi Nakajima, Tomoari Kamada, Hitoshi Yoshiji, Takumi Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Sakugawa, Asahiro Morishita, Tsutomu Masaki, Takumi Ohmura, Toshio Watanabe, Norifumi Kawada, Yoshioki Yoda, Nobuyuki Enomoto, Masafumi Ono, Kanako Fuyama, Kazufumi Okada, Naoki Nishimoto, Yoichi M. Ito, Yoshihiro Kamada, Hirokazu Takahashi, Yoshio Sumida
Summary: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Japan is approximately one-quarter of the general population, with higher rates among men than women. Regardless of obesity, there is a linear relationship between NAFLD prevalence and body mass index, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Some patients with fatty liver also have diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of NAFLD with advanced fibrosis is estimated to be 1%-2%.
HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Akihiko Shibamoto, Tadashi Namisaki, Junya Suzuki, Takahiro Kubo, Satoshi Iwai, Fumimasa Tomooka, Soichi Takeda, Yuki Fujimoto, Takashi Inoue, Misako Tanaka, Aritoshi Koizumi, Nobuyuki Yorioka, Takuya Matsuda, Shohei Asada, Yuki Tsuji, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Norihisa Nishimura, Shinya Sato, Hiroaki Takaya, Koh Kitagawa, Kosuke Kaji, Hideto Kawaratani, Takemi Akahane, Akira Mitoro, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: Alcohol is a major risk factor for liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to find a surrogate marker for sarcopenia in patients with different etiologies of liver cirrhosis. The combination of hemoglobin levels and endotoxin activity measurement improves the prediction performance of sarcopenia in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kei Moriya, Shinya Sato, Norihisa Nishimura, Hideto Kawaratani, Hiroaki Takaya, Kosuke Kaji, Tadashi Namisaki, Masakazu Uejima, Shinsaku Nagamatsu, Hideki Matsuo, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: This study aimed to examine the usefulness of existing serological indices and a newly developed index in predicting liver fibrosis progression in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The results showed that serum ferritin-zinc ratio can noninvasively predict liver fibrosis progression in AIH and be applied to predict long-term prognosis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nobuyuki Yorioka, Tadashi Namisaki, Akihiko Shibamoto, Junya Suzuki, Takahiro Kubo, Satoshi Iwai, Fumimasa Tomooka, Misako Tanaka, Soichi Takeda, Yuki Fujimoto, Masahide Enomoto, Koji Muarata, Takashi Inoue, Yuki Tsuji, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Norihisa Nishimura, Koh Kitagawa, Hiroaki Takaya, Kosuke Kaji, Hideto Kawaratani, Takemi Akahane, Akira Mitoro, Masaharu Yamazaki, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. It was found that CART could effectively reduce symptom severity and increase the levels of anticoagulant and fibrinolytic factors in ascitic fluid, which are beneficial for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Koh Kitagawa, Akira Mitoro, Fumimasa Tomooka, Shohei Asada, Yukihisa Fujinaga, Norihisa Nishimura, Kosuke Kaji, Hideto Kawaratani, Takemi Akahane, Takahiro Ozutsumi, Miki Kaneko, Yuki Fujimoto, Yuki Tsuji, Masahide Enomoto, Soichi Takeda, Koji Murata, Takahiro Kubo, Satoshi Iwai, Aritoshi Koizumi, Akihiko Shibamoto, Junya Suzuki, Misako Tanaka, Takuya Matsuda, Nobuyuki Yorioka, Hiroyuki Masuda, Masayoshi Takami, Hitoshi Yoshiji
Summary: SPACE with LBC shows good diagnostic efficacy in patients with pancreatic cancer that is difficult to diagnose by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, improving the detection rate and accuracy of early-stage pancreatic cancer.