Article
Pediatrics
Hadar Moran-Lev, Shlomi Cohen, Muriel Webb, Anat Yerushalmy-Feler, Achiya Amir, Dana L. Gal, Ronit Lubetzky
Summary: The study found that pediatric patients with high BMI and severe liver steatosis are at risk for severe liver fibrosis. Nutritional intervention with minimal weight loss may improve hepatic fibrosis among the pediatric population.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Christina T. Saed, Seyed Amirhossein Tabatabaei Dakhili, Amanda A. Greenwell, Jordan S. F. Chan, Kunyan Yang, Keshav Gopal, Farah Eaton, Rami Al Batran, John R. Ussher
Summary: Recent studies have shown that stimulating the rate-limiting enzyme of glucose oxidation, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), can reverse obesity-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and this can be achieved with the use of the antianginal drug ranolazine. The aim of this study was to determine if ranolazine's effects on NAFLD and hyperglycaemia require increased hepatic PDH activity.
BASIC & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Rossella Donghia, Rita Schiano Di Cola, Filomena Cesaro, Andrea Vitale, Giuseppe Lippolis, Teresa Lisco, Roberta Isernia, Giovanni De Pergola, Sara De Nucci, Roberta Rinaldi, Marina Liso, Cristiano Giardiello
Summary: This study aimed to explore gender differences and steatosis status in obese patients. The results showed a higher prevalence of obesity in women compared to men, with steatosis being more common in the male subcohort but with greater within-group differences in female patients.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irene Besne-Eseverri, Jenifer Trepiana, Saioa Gomez-Zorita, Marilena Antunes-Ricardo, M. Pilar Cano, Maria P. Portillo
Summary: The Opuntia spp. genus includes plants that can grow in different climates. While most wild species grow in Mexico, Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) is cultivated worldwide and extensively studied. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the effects of Opuntia ficus-indica and other Opuntia species on liver health. The available data show that extracts, vinegar, juices, or seed oil of Opuntia species have positive effects on liver damage caused by poor diet or chemical exposure. However, further research is needed to identify the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and to determine if they are applicable to humans.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yu-Cheng Lin, Pi-Feng Chang, Kevin Liu, Mei-Hwei Chang, Yen-Hsuan Ni
Summary: In obese children, the development and remission of NAFLD may be associated with changes in BMI, while NAFLD susceptible genes do not have significant effects.
JOURNAL OF THE FORMOSAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meixi Wang, Jianrui Li, Hu Li, Biao Dong, Jing Jiang, Nannan Liu, Jiali Tan, Xuekai Wang, Lei Lei, Hongying Li, Han Sun, Mei Tang, Huiqiang Wang, Haiyan Yan, Yuhuan Li, Jiandong Jiang, Zonggen Peng
Summary: This study identified 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 13 (HSD17B13) as a potential target for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The researchers found that HSD17B13 was highly expressed in the livers of NAFLD patients and its overexpression facilitated the progression of NAFLD. In mouse models, overexpressing HSD17B13 worsened liver steatosis and fibrosis, while down-regulating its expression showed therapeutic effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sejeong Lee, Jaehyun Bae, Doo Ri Jo, Minyoung Lee, Yong-ho Lee, Eun Seok Kang, Bong-Soo Cha, Byung-Wan Lee
Summary: In newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, intact ketogenesis may be associated with a decreased risk of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Anca Trifan, Adrian Rotaru, Remus Stafie, Ermina Stratina, Sebastian Zenovia, Robert Nastasa, Laura Huiban, Tudor Cuciureanu, Cristina Muzica, Stefan Chiriac, Irina Girleanu, Ana-Maria Singeap, Catalin Sfarti, Camelia Cojocariu, Carol Stanciu
Summary: This study compared the clinical features and associated risk factors of lean-NAFLD and obese-NAFLD patients. The majority of patients were obese-NAFLD, who had a higher prevalence of T2DM, dyslipidemia, and components of the metabolic syndrome. Obese individuals also had a higher risk for liver fibrosis. Therefore, individualized screening strategies for NAFLD should be established according to BMI.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Cynthia Mireya Jara, Karina Kiimiko Yamashina Pereira, Fabio Luiz Dal Moro Maito, Carlos Gabriel Adorno, Maximiliano Schunke Gomes
Summary: The presence and treatment of periodontal disease and apical periodontitis had an impact on the aorta and liver of both obese and non-obese rats. The combination of these conditions increased aorta thickness in obese rats, while treatments reduced vascular endothelial lesions. Obseity was a predictor variable for liver steatosis.
INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Lintao Song, Luyao Wang, Yushu Hou, Jie Zhou, Chuchu Chen, Xianxi Ye, Wenliya Dong, Huan Gao, Yi Liu, Guanting Qiao, Tongtong Pan, Qiong Chen, Yu Cao, Fengjiao Hu, Zhiheng Rao, Yajing Chen, Yu Han, Minghua Zheng, Yongde Luo, Xiaokun Li, Yongping Chen, Zhifeng Huang
Summary: This study identifies FGF4 as a stress-responsive regulator of liver pathophysiology that acts through an FGFR4-AMPK-Caspase 6 signal pathway, providing new insights for treating NAFLD and associated liver pathologies.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nobuharu Tamaki, Noora Ahlholm, Panu K. Luukkonen, Kimmo Porthan, Suzanne R. Sharpton, Veeral Ajmera, Yuko Kono, Shravan Dave, Aijaz Ahmed, Vinay Sundaram, Michael J. Wilkinson, Heather Patton, Hersh Gupta, Vanessa Cervantes, Christie Hernandez, Scarlett J. Lopez, Ria Loomba, Amanda Baumgartner, Lisa Richards, Perttu E. T. Arkkila, Katriina Nemes, Helena Isoniemi, Hannele Yki-Jaervinen, Rohit Loomba
Summary: First-degree relatives of patients with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis have a significantly increased risk of advanced fibrosis, indicating the need for routine screening.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Matheus Ajackson, Brenda A. Nagagata, Ilitch A. Marcondes-de-Castro, Carlos A. Mandarim-de-Lacerda, Marcia Barbosa Aguila
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin supplementation in the liver of adult offspring from obese mothers during pregnancy and lactation. The results showed that supplementation of melatonin reduced body weight and liver lipid levels in offspring from high-fat diet-fed mothers. Additionally, melatonin supplementation improved lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the offspring's liver.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kalliopi Pafili, Sabine Kahl, Lucia Mastrototaro, Klaus Strassburger, Dominik Pesta, Christian Herder, Jennifer Putzer, Bedair Dewidar, Mona Hendlinger, Cesare Granata, Nina Saatmann, Aslihan Yavas, Sofiya Gancheva, Geronimo Heilmann, Irene Esposito, Matthias Schlensak, Michael Roden
Summary: Impaired mitochondrial function is a common feature of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and steatohepatitis. Dysfunction specifically in visceral adipose tissue is associated with fatty liver disease.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yun Huang, Sara E. Stinson, Helene Baek Juel, Morten A. V. Lund, Louise Aas Holm, Cilius E. Fonvig, Trine Nielsen, Niels Grarup, Oluf Pedersen, Michael Christiansen, Elizaveta Chabanova, Henrik S. Thomsen, Aleksander Krag, Stefan Stender, Jens-Christian Holm, Torben Hansen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of eight previously reported genome-wide significant steatogenic variants on liver and cardiometabolic traits in children and adolescents. The results showed that these variants were associated with higher liver fat and distinct patterns of plasma lipids. The genetic risk score (GRS) based on these variants was also associated with higher prevalence of hepatic steatosis and had potential clinical utility for risk stratification.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xinbo Zhou, Junjie Zhang, Yutong Sun, Jian Shen, Bo Sun, Qingquan Ma
Summary: This study found that glutamine (Gln) has a positive effect on liver steatosis and promotes hepatic homeostasis by improving glucose metabolism and regulating signaling pathways. Obese mice fed with Gln had higher levels of colonic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lower levels of inflammation factor proteins, and a decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes bacteria was observed.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Procolo Di Bonito, Maria Rosaria Licenziati, Domenico Corica, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Anna Di Sessa, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice, Anita Morandi, Claudio Maffeis, Maria Felicia Faienza, Enza Mozzillo, Valeria Calcaterra, Francesca Franco, Giulio Maltoni, Giuliana Valerio
Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the best cut-off of HbA1c for detecting impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, beta-cell impairment, and cardiometabolic risk in overweight or obese Caucasian youths. The study found that an HbA1c cut-off of 5.5% was the most effective for detecting impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. In overweight or obese youths, an HbA1c level of >= 5.5% may be a more appropriate screening marker for glucose dysmetabolism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Procolo Di Bonito, Anna Di Sessa, Maria Rosaria Licenziati, Domenico Corica, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Giuseppina Rosaria Umano, Anita Morandi, Claudio Maffeis, Maria Felicia Faienza, Enza Mozzillo, Valeria Calcaterra, Francesca Franco, Giulio Maltoni, Giuliana Valerio
Summary: The definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in childhood is controversial. In this study, a modified version of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition was used to analyze the prevalence of MetS in overweight/obese youths and its association with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The results showed that whichever definition was used, one third of overweight/obese youths had MetS, and neither definition was superior in identifying those at risk for NAFLD.
Article
Pediatrics
Pier Luigi Palma, Anna Di Sessa, Antonio Paride Passaro, Eleonora Palladino, Giuseppe Furcolo, Annalisa Barlaba, Giulio Rivetti, Maeva De Lucia, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice, Stefano Guarino, Pierluigi Marzuillo
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in lifestyle for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A study found that the habits during the lockdown were associated with CKD progression, with less adherence to the Mediterranean diet and increased consumption of sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages playing a role.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pierluigi Marzuillo, Pier Luigi Palma, Anna Di Sessa, Agnese Roberti, Giovanni Torino, Maeva De Lucia, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice, Stefano Guarino, Giovanni Di Iorio
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine whether early measurements of serum aldosterone levels or plasmatic renin activity (PRA) could predict the need for surgical intervention in infants with obstructive congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). A total of 20 infants aged 1-3 months with suspected obstructive CAKUT were prospectively enrolled and followed up for 2 years. The results showed that infants who required surgery had significantly higher levels of aldosterone at 1-3 months compared to those who did not require surgery (p = 0.006). The ROC curve analysis identified a cut-off of 100 ng/dL for aldosterone, which predicted the need for surgery with 100% sensitivity and 64.3% specificity. However, PRA measured at 1-3 months was not a predictor of surgery. In conclusion, early measurements of serum aldosterone levels can serve as a predictor for surgical intervention in infants with obstructive CAKUT.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Pier Luigi Palma, Pierluigi Marzuillo, Anna Di Sessa, Stefano Guarino, Daniela Capalbo, Maria Maddalena Marrapodi, Giulia Buccella, Sabrina Cameli, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice, Marco Torella, Nicola Colacurci, Carlo Capristo
Summary: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in the pediatric population, with diurnal incontinence and nocturnal enuresis being the most common symptoms. The presence of constipation should be considered and treated as it is often curative for both incontinence and enuresis. Diurnal symptoms in nocturnal enuresis and urgency in diurnal incontinence aid in the differential diagnosis. Urotherapy is the first-line treatment, with oxybutynin and desmopressin used if the initial treatment is unsuccessful. It is important to identify conditions that can be potentially harmful to the kidneys and urinary tract, as LUTS may be the initial manifestation.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Anna Di Sessa, Antonio Paride Passaro, Alberto Maria Colasante, Speranza Cioffi, Stefano Guarino, Giuseppina Rosaria Umano, Alfonso Papparella, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice, Pierluigi Marzuillo
Summary: The study found that obese children, especially those with metabolically unhealthy phenotype, have an increased risk of kidney damage. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is an important predictor of kidney damage in metabolically unhealthy obese children. In metabolically healthy obese children, both HOMA-IR and uric acid are significant risk factors for kidney damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Claudio La Scola, Giulio Rivetti, Cristina Bertulli, Anna Di Sessa, Stefano Guarino, Andrea Pasini, Pierluigi Marzuillo
Summary: The study found that children with tubulopathies may have an increased risk of overweight and obesity due to failure to thrive.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Pierluigi Marzuillo, Maria Paola Belfiore, Anna Di Sessa, Giovanni Torino, Agnese Roberti, Marialuisa Balzano, Alfonso Reginelli, Salvatore Cappabianca, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice, Angela La Manna, Stefano Guarino, Giovanni Di Iorio
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of clinical and radiological signs (on voiding cystourethrography [VCUG]) to detect posterior urethral valves (PUV) in the post-neonatal period. 118 male patients were prospectively enrolled and direct and indirect PUV signs on VCUG were assessed. Only half of patients with endoscopy-confirmed PUV presents with direct sign of PUV on VCUG.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Pediatrics
Stefano Guarino, Eleonora Palladino, Anna Di Sessa
TURKISH ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Daniela Capalbo, Stefano Guarino, Anna Di Sessa, Claudia Esposito, Carolina Grella, Alfonso Papparella, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice, Pierluigi Marzuillo
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the response rate of combination therapy (desmopressin plus oxybutynin) compared with desmopressin alone in treating monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE). The results showed that combination therapy improved the response in 75.6% of patients. Significant predictive factors of response to combination therapy were the presence of nocturnal polyuria and absence of constipation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Maria Francesca Gicchino, Pierluigi Marzuillo, Rosa Melone, Sarah Zarrilli, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice, Alma Nunzia Olivieri, Anna Di Sessa
Summary: In addition to obesity, being underweight may also have a negative impact on the severity of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in children. Patients with underweight and severe obesity have worse disease outcomes in JIA, highlighting the importance of weight control in managing the disease.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Maria Francesca Gicchino, Pierluigi Marzuillo, Sarah Zarrilli, Rosa Melone, Stefano Guarino, Emanuele Miraglia Del Giudice, Alma Nunzia Olivieri, Anna Di Sessa
Summary: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has been associated with metabolic impairments, and uric acid (UA) may serve as a useful marker for cardiometabolic risk and disease severity in children with JIA.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
