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Chronic hepatitis B(CHB)is an infectious disease caused by persistent infection with the hepatitis B virus(HBV)and is highly prevalent worldwide.Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a group of liver diseases related to metabolic abnormalities,excluding those caused by alcohol consumption or other liver injury factors.In recent years,with improvement of living standards and changes in lifestyle,the incidence of NAFLD has been increasing substantially,becoming the most common type of liver diseases in China and Western countries,and the second leading cause of liver transplantation in the West.The rising prevalence of NAFLD has also led to an increase in the incidence of NAFLD in patients with chronic HBV infection.However,there is considerable controversy both domestically and internationally regarding the relationship between these two diseases,including the disease progression,pathogenesis,impact on antiviral treatment efficacy,and prognosis of these concomitant CHB and NAFLD patients.Currently,both domestic and international guidelines lack detailed descriptions of diagnostic and treatment strategies for these conditions.This article summarizes the recent research progress in concomitant CHB and NAFLD,including epidemiology,diagnostic criteria,the impact of NAFLD on the virology of HBV infection,potential mechanisms of NAFLD-induced negative regulation of HBV,the effect of NAFLD on antiviral therapy effiicacy,and prognosis.This article aims to gain a deeper understanding of the diseases themselves and provide new insights for basic and clinical research as well as diagnostic and treatment approaches.
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Polyphyllin Ⅰ(PPⅠ)and polyphyllin Ⅱ(PⅡ)are the main active substances in the Paris polyphylla.However,liver toxicity of these compounds has impeded their clinical application and the potential hepatotoxicity mechanisms remain to be elucidated.In this work,we found that PPⅠ and PⅡ exposure could induce significant hepatotoxicity in human liver cell line L-02 and zebrafish in a dose-dependent manner.The results of the proteomic analysis in L-02 cells and transcriptome in zebrafish indicated that the hepa-totoxicity of PPⅡ and PⅡwas associated with the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway disorders,which were alleviated by the cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor lovastatin.Additionally,3-hydroxy-3-methy-lglutaryl CoA reductase(HMGCR)and squalene epoxidase(SQLE),the two rate-limiting enzymes in the choles-terol synthesis,selected as the potential targets,were confirmed by the molecular docking,the over-expression,and knockdown of HMGCR or SQLE with siRNA.Finally,the pull-down and surface plasmon resonance technology revealed that PPⅠ could directly bind with SQLE but not with HMGCR.Collectively,these data demonstrated that PPⅠ-induced hepatotoxicity resulted from the direct binding with SQLE protein and impaired the sterol-regulatory element binding protein 2/HMGCR/SQLE/lanosterol synthase pathways,thus disturbing the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.The findings of this research can contribute to a better understanding of the key role of SQLE as a potential target in drug-induced hepatotoxicity and provide a therapeutic strategy for the prevention of drug toxic effects with similar structures in the future.
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Objective To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of FibroScan-AST (FAST) score in patients with high-risk nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score of ≥4 and significant liver fibrosis (F ≥2), along with comparison with other serological models. Methods A total of 84 consecutively admitted patients hospitalized in Ruijin Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 and biopsy-confirmed NAFLD/NASH were included in this study, and FibroScan (liver stiffness measurement and controlled attenuation parameter) and blood biochemical tests were performed at one week before and after liver biopsy. A Kruskal-Wallis H analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between variables. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted with pathological results as the "gold standard", and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and classification accuracy were calculated based on the cut-off values determined by previous studies. In subgroup analysis, the patients were divided into subgroups based on different clinical indices to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of each model, which was expressed as AUC (95% confidence interval [ CI ]). Results Among the 84 patients, 43 had high-risk NASH. The FAST score was 0.54(0.04-0.93) for all patients, and the FAST score for liver fibrosis stages F0-F4 was 0.26(0.06-0.73), 0.48(0.04-0.82), 0.61(0.13-0.75), 0.64(0.09-0.93), and 0.82(0.75-0.89), respectively, with a significant difference between stages ( H =23.360, P < 0.001). FAST score was positively correlated with liver fibrosis stage ( r =0.491, P < 0.001). NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index were positively correlated with liver fibrosis stage ( r =0.230, 0.346, and 0.281, all P < 0.05), with a weaker correlation than FAST score. FAST score had an AUC of 0.725 (95% CI : 0.617-0.834, P < 0.001) in evaluating high-risk NASH. According to the low cut-off value determined by previous studies, FAST score ≤0.35 excluded high-risk NASH in 21 patients (25%) with an NPV of 71%; according to the high cut-off value, FAST score ≥0.67 helped to make a confirmed diagnosis of high-risk NASH in 19 patients (22.6%) with a PPV of 74%. NFS and FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.633(95% CI : 0.513-0.753) and 0.686(95% CI : 0.570-0.803), respectively, in the diagnosis of high-risk NASH ( P < 0.05). Conclusion FAST score can accurately determine the presence or absence of high-risk NASH in NAFLD patients with or without metabolic risk factors, and selection of appropriate cut-off values can help some patients avoid liver biopsy.
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Objective To investigate the effect of Xuesetong Dripping Pills combined with alprostadil intervention on serum brain natriuretic peptide in elderly patients with chronic congestive heart failure.Methods In 74 patients with chronic congestive heart failure, were randomly divided into observation group and control group, 37 cases in each group.Control group received conventional method.The observation group received Xuesetong Dripping Pills combined with alprostadil on the basis of conventional therapy.Compared the efficacy, the heart function level, walking test and level of serum brain natriuretic peptide between two groups after 15 days’ treatment.Results The total efficiency of observation group was 94.59%, which was higher than 75.68% in the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment, the heart function level improvement in the observation group was better than the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment, 6 min walking test in the observation group(316.4 ±20.7) m, was better than the control group(303.5 ±28.1) m, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The level of serum brain natriuretic peptide in the observation group(608.9 ±158.1)ng/L, was lower than that of the control group(792.7 ±179.4) ng/L, the difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05 ) .Conclusion Xuesetong Dripping Pills combined with alprostadil has good curative effect in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure,can relieve the abnormal increase of serum brain natriuretic peptide, improve blood circulation and heart function.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during the course of treatment with pegylated-interferon alfa-2s (peg-IFNa-2a) and to determine the correlations with therapeutic response.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-one patients with CHB who were receiving peg-IFNa-2a antiviral treatment for 48 weeks were enrolled in the study.Expression of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) on and frequency and functionality of the pDCs were analyzed at treatment weeks 0, 2, 12, 24, 36 and 48.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients exhibited an initially rapid decrease in the numbers of circulating pDCs and showed CpG-induced endogenous IFNa production within the first 2 weeks of treatment.Subsequently, all responders displayed a continuous increase in pDC numbers as well as functionality, both of which peaked around week 12 of treatment; in addition, these treatment responses were accompanied by significantly increased levels of type 1 T helper cytokines (P less than 0.05), which did not occur in the non-responders.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>pDCs are involved in the initial therapeutic immune response stimulated by peg-IFNa-2a treatment.Recovery of blood pDC number and functionality may represent a predictor of favorable response to peg-IFNa-2a antiviral treatment in patients with CHB.</p>
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Humans , Antiviral Agents , Dendritic Cells , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Interferon-alpha , Polyethylene Glycols , Recombinant Proteins , Toll-Like Receptor 9 , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective To measure the expression of circulating microRNA (miRNA)in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver failure and its relationship with disease prognosis.Methods The miRNA expressions in serum of 5 patients with HBV-related liver failure and 5 healthy control subjects were compared using Exiqon miRCURY LNATM miRNA microarray.The sera from 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB),20 patients hepatitis B related cirrhosis,50 patients with HBV-related liver failure and 40 healthy persons in Ruijin Hospital were collected.The relative expression of miRNA-595 was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The relative expressions of miRNAs among groups were analyzed using student t test,the correlations were analyzed by Pearson and Spearman correlation.Results Microarray informed that 92 miRNAs changed significantly in patients with HBV-related liver failure,and miRNA-595 increased most significantly.The results of real-time PCR showed that the relative expressions of miRNA-595 ,miRNA-300 and miRNA-122 were 6.03 (t=3.134, P =0.003),3.12 (t=7.221 ,P <0.01)and 2.77 (t=2.671 ,P =0.021),which were higher compared to those in healthy control group.In the analysis of the relationship between miRNA-595 expression and disease prognosis in patients with HBV-related liver failure,the relative expressions of miRNA-595 in patients with CHB,hepatitis B related cirrhosis and HBV-related liver failure were 2.26 (t =3.780,P =0.001),3.32 (t = 6.111 ,P < 0.01)and 6.03 (t = 3.134,P = 0.003),respectively,which were all increased compared to that of the healthy control.The relative expression of miRNA-595 of patients with HBV-related liver failure was 2.66 times (t=2.450,P =0.043)higher than that of patients with CHB. When dividing patients according to prothrombin activity,miRNA-595 increased significantly in patients with early stage liver failure.When dividing patients according to model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score,MELD score was positive correlated with the expression of miRNA-595 when MELD score was under 30 (r=0.673,P =0.004).The expression of serum miRNA-595 in survival group (11 .08,n=23) was higher than that in non-survival group (3.67,n = 27,t =4.309,P =0.041).Conclusions The expressions of miRNA595 ,miRNA-300 and miRNA-122 are all increased in patients with HBV-related liver failure,especially the expression of circulating miRNA-595 at early stage of the disease.The miRNA-595 may be used as a new serum biomarker for monitoring the severity of disease.
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Objective To explore the expressions of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in acute liver failure mice induced by D-galactosamine (GalN)/lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the correlation with miRNAs in the liver.Methods Forty clean grade Balb/C mice,with 32 in the model group and 8 in the control group were enrolled in the study.Liver failure was induced by intraperitoneally injection of D-GalN and LPS in mice of the model group,while mice of the control group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL 0.9 % sodium chloride solution.Serum and liver samples were collected at 0,3,5,7 hours following administration,and eight mice should be supplied to each sample,and changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and histopathology of the liver were observed.miRNA from both the serum and the liver was extracted,miRNA expression profile in the liver at 0,5,7 hours by locked nucleic acid (LNA)-miRNA microarray was analyzed and miRNA by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was detected.Means of the two groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and correlation analyses were performed using Pearson and Spearman correlation.Results Expression of miRNAs in the liver tissue changed significantly over time with the occurrence of acute liver failure in the mice.Twenty-one miRNAs were up-regulated and 27 were down-regulated,among which miRNA-122 and miRNA-1187 were down-regulated while miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 were up-regulated.It was confirmed by the PCR assay that the expression of miRNA-122 and miRNA-1187 in the liver gradually decreased,while those in the serum were up-regulated over time.However,the expressions of inflammation associated miRNA-155 and miRNA-146a were up-regulated both in the serum and the liver after administration.The expressions of miRNA-122 and miRNA-1187 were negatively correlated between serum and liver (r=-0.477,P=0.0089,r=-0.420,P=0.231),while the expressions of miRNA-155 in serum and liver were positively correlated (r=0.678,P=0.0001).Moreover,the expressions of miRNA-122 (r=0.571,0.554) and miRNA-1187 (r=0.471,0.542) were also positively correlated with serum levels of ALT and AST (all P<0.05).Liver and serum levels of miRNA-122 and miRNA-1187 changed significantly at 5 hours after administration,which preceded the changes of ALT/AST.Conclusions The expressions of miRNA-122 and miRNA-1187 in serum are well inversely correlated with the corresponding expressions in liver tissues during acute liver failure in mice.The changes of miRNA-122 and miRNA-1187 in the serum precede those of ALT/AST.These data suggest that serum miRNA-122 and miRNA-1187 might be the candidate serum biomarkers for early prediction of liver injury.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the histological features as well as the factors influencing liver disease progression in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). MethodsA total of 102 CHC patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy between August 2007 and May 2010 were recruited. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and transmission route of recruited patients were recorded. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), HCV genotypes, HCV viral load and liver histological changes were detected. Statistical analysis was done by t test and Logistic regression. ResultsThe serum levels of ALT and AST in CHC patients with histological activity index (HAI) ≥4 were much higher, while platelet (PLT) counts were lower than those with HAI <4(t=2.209, 2. 298 and 2. 565, respectively; all P<0.05). Likewise, in patients with F≥3, the serum levels of ALT and AST as well as the mean age and the duration of infection were significantly elevated compared with F < 3 group ( t = 3.497, 2. 758, 2. 340 and 2. 570,respectively; all P<0. 05), while PLT counts were much lower (t = 2. 761, P=0. 007). The unvariate predictors for HAI≥4 were female, ALT>1 × upper limits of normal (ULN), AST level,F≥3, HCV RNA≥6 lgIU/mL and PLT counts. By mutivariate analysis, the Ishak stage score was the only independent predictor for HAI≥4 (OR 3.098, 95%CI 1.884-5. 092; P<0.01). Finally,the univariate predictors for F≥3 were age, BMI≥24 kg/m2 , ALT>1 × ULN, AST level, HAI≥4,PLT counts and duration of infection≥ 15 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (OR 1. 074,95%CI 1.006-1. 146; P=0.033), ALT level (OR 1. 035, 95%CI 1.015-1.055; P<0.01), ASTlevel (OR 0. 969, 95%CI 0. 948-0. 990; P=0. 005), the duration of infection ≥15 years (OR 37. 215, 95%CI 5. 816-238. 127; P<0.01) and HAI≥4 (OR 1. 939, 95%CI 1. 426-2. 636; P<0.01) were independent predictors for F≥ 3. ConclusionAge, ALT level, AST level, duration of infection≥15 years, HAI≥4 are independent predictors for liver fibrosis.
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Objective To investigate the expressions of microRNAs (miRNA) and cytokines in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and analyze their relationship with inflammation. Methods PBMCs were collected from acute hapatitis B (AHB) patients of 3 groups, including acute episode, virus clearance, recover period, and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) of mild, medium, severe type, and HBV-related liver cirrhosis. Each group included 20 patients, and 17 healthy donors were as control. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to measure miRNA146, miRNA155, miRNA181, interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β,interferon induced gene 54 (ISG54) and interferon regulate factor 5 (IRF5). Comparisons among groups were done by one factor analysis of variance. Results The expression of miRNA155 was high in acute episode of AHB (2. 386± 1. 835), and higher than healthy control (1. 498± 1. 276) (F=1. 137,P-=0. 045), while reduced in acute episode, virus clearance (1. 633±2. 291), and recover period (0. 642±0. 836) (F=2. 122,P=0. 022). The expressions of IFN-α and IFN-β in AHB reduced in acute episode, virus clearance and recover period ( F = 1. 880, P = 0. 038 ; F= 1. 835, P = 0. 048).The expression of miRNA155 in AHB is closely correlated with IFN-α and IFN-β (r = 0. 483, P=0. 004; r= 0. 660, P= 0. 0002, respectively). In addition, in HBV infectious patients, the expression of miRNA155 was correlated with alanine transarninase (ALT), serum bilirubin (TBil) (r=0. 342,P=0. 006; r=0. 322, P= 0. 011, respectively), but not with HBV DNA load. Compared with healthy control (1. 307+ 0. 935), miRNA181 was higher in patients with HBV infection (F= 2. 072, P=0. 045) except AHB in recover period (1. 873±0. 998). There was no statistical difference in the miRNA146 expression between various groups. Conclusions The exprossion of miRNAs might be involved in the host anti-HBV immune response during HBV infection, and closely correlated with expression of IFN-related immune factors.
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Objective To identify the histological features as well as factors influencing the course of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus ( HBV)-infected patients with persistently normal alanine amino-transferase (ALT) levels (PNAL). Methods Ninety-eight HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected patients with PNAL who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy were recruited from October 2003 to March 2008. The ALT level, HBV markers, HBV DNA level and liver histological changes were detected. Comparison of means was done by t test and single factor analysis of variance. Nonparametric statistics was done by Marm-Whitey U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Analysis of independent risk factor was done using Logistic model. The dianostic value of ALT level to significant liver histological changes was evaluated by receiver performance curve. Results Twenty-two point four percent and 17.3% of subjects had the histological activity index (HAI)≥4and fibrosis (F) score≥3 respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that subjects with ALT>0.50 × upper limit of normal (ULN) had a significantly higher rate of HAI≥4 and F score≥3 than those with ALT≤0.50×ULN (HAI≥4:36.4% vs 11.1%, χ2 =8.881, P=0.003;F score≥3:27.3% vs 9.3%, χ2 =5.487, P= 0.019, respectively), and older subjects (more than 45 years old) had a higher proportion of HAI ≥4 than the younger (33.3% vs 13.4%, χ2 =4.923, P=0.027). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that a decade increase in age was the independent predictor of HAI≥4 (OR=2.410, P=0.023).Receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that 87.0% and 90.7% of subjects with ALT<0.50× ULN had histological changes of HAI<4 and F score<3 respectively. The proportions of HAI≥4 and F score≥3 in subjects with HBV DNA<1×104 copy/mL were 14.9% and 12.8%, respectively. Conclusions Significant histological changes may be present in part of the subjects with persistently normal ALT and different HBV DNA levels, so that liver biopsy is very important, especially in those with age >45 years.Half time the ULN may serve as an appropriate cutoff value of normal ALT level for managing Chinese HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-int'ected patients.