Comparison of two formulations of intravenous lipid emulsions in pediatric intestinal failure.

PURPOSE: The effect of different types of lipid emulsion may guide therapy of patients with intestinal failure (IF) to limit morbidity such as intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with IF who received soybean oil lipid emulsion (SL) or mixed oil lipid emulsion (ML) was performed. Data over 1 year were collected. RESULTS: Forty-five patients received SL and 34 received ML. There were no differences in the incidence (82 versus 74%, P = 0.35) or resolution (86 versus 92%, P = 0.5) of IFALD between the cohorts. The median dose of ML was higher compared to SL (2 versus 1 g/kg/day, P < 0.001). If resolved, IFALD resolved rapidly in the ML cohort compared to the SL cohort (67 versus 37 days, P = 0.01). Weight gain was higher in the ML compared to the SL cohort at resolution of IFALD or 1 year from diagnosis of IF (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The administration of ML did not alter the incidence or resolution of IFALD compared to SL in pediatric IF. There was rapid resolution of IFALD and enhanced weight gain in the ML cohort compared to SL in pediatric IF.

The association of testosterone with sarcopenia and frailty in chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone is an important anabolic hormone responsible for maintaining body composition and muscle mass and circulates mostly albumin-bound, or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)-bound or free in the plasma. Of these fractions, the latter is bioactive and exerts the androgenic effects on male population. Liver cirrhosis, the advanced stage of any chronic liver disease characterized by permanent distortions to the hepatic architecture, disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to diminished levels of free testosterone and hypogonadism. METHODS: We retrieved the PubMed database to provide a synopsis of testosterone's physiology and action and summarize the effect of sarcopenia in pre-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients. Moreover, we scoped to provide insight into the relationship of testosterone levels with sarcopenia, frailty and survival in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic population as well as to discuss the efficacy of exogenous testosterone supplementation on the anthropometric parameters and survival of those patients. RESULTS: Low testosterone levels have been associated with sarcopenia, reduced body lean mass, decreased bone mineral density and frailty, thus leading to increased morbidity and mortality especially among cirrhotic patients. Furthermore, exogenous testosterone administration significantly ameliorated body composition on patients with chronic hepatic disease, without significant adverse effects. However, the current literature does not suggest any significant effect on survival of those patients. Moreover, the long-term safety of testosterone use remains an open question. CONCLUSION: Low serum testosterone is strongly correlated with sarcopenia, frailty, higher rate of hepatic decompensation and mortality. Nonetheless, exogenous supplementation of testosterone did not ameliorate the liver-related outcomes and complications.

Use of Branched-Chain Amino Acids as a Potential Treatment for Improving Nutrition-Related Outcomes in Advanced Chronic Liver Disease.

Advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) represents a complex and multifactorial clinical entity characterized by liver dysfunction and associated complications. In recent years, the significance of nutritional status in ACLD prognosis has gained considerable attention. This review article delves into the multifactorial pathogenesis of malnutrition in ACLD and its profound consequences for health outcomes. We explore the clinical implications of secondary sarcopenia in ACLD and highlight the critical relevance of frailty in both decompensated and compensated ACLD. A specific focus of this review revolves around branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and their pivotal role in managing liver disease. We dissect the intricate relationship between low Fischer's ratio and BCAA metabolism in ACLD, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms involved. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the existing evidence regarding the effects of BCAA supplementation on outcomes in ACLD patients, examining their potential to ameliorate the nutritional deficiencies and associated complications in this population.

Grape seed extract in combination with deferasirox ameliorates iron overload, oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver dysfunction in beta thalassemia children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Iron overload in the body is associated with serious and irreversible tissue damage. This study aimed to investigate the iron-chelating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities of grape seed extract (GSE) supplement as well as its safety in ß-thalassemia major (ß-TM) pediatric patients receiving deferasirox as a standard iron-chelation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The children were randomly allocated to either GSE group (n = 30) or control group (n = 30) to receive GSE (100 mg/day) or placebo capsules, respectively, for 4 weeks. The serum levels of iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were measured pre-and post-intervention. RESULTS: GSE supplement significantly attenuated the serum levels of iron (p = 0.030), ferritin (p = 0.017), ALT (p = 0.000), AST (p = 0.000), TNF-α (p = 0.000), and hs-CRP (p = 0.001). The TIBC level (p = 0.020) significantly enhanced in the GSE group compared with the placebo group. Moreover, GSE supplement remarkably improved the oxidative stress markers, MDA (p = 0.000) and GSH (p = 0.001). The changes in the SOD activity (p = 0.590) and Hb concentration (p = 0.670) were not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSION: GSE supplement possesses several health beneficial influences on children with ß-TM by alleviating iron burden, oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver dysfunction.

Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease and Growth Pre- and Post-Transition to a Composite Lipid Emulsion.

OBJECTIVES: Infants with intestinal failure have an increased risk of intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Composite intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) may reduce the risk of cholestasis. The primary outcome was to compare IFALD rates in infants with intestinal failure, between those receiving a composite ILE versus soybean oil ILE. The secondary outcome compared growth between these 2 groups. METHODS: At our 2 tertiary neonatal/pediatric hospitals, we identified all patients (≤1 year old) who received ≥6 weeks parenteral nutrition (PN) from 2010 to 2018. Data included liver and growth parameters. IFALD was defined as serum conjugated bilirubin (CB) >33 µmol/L (≥2 mg/dL). Nonparametric tests were used for all comparisons. RESULTS: Fifty infants (35 composite ILE, 15 soybean oil ILE) were included. Those on composite ILE received PN for longer (10.1 vs 7.6 weeks; P = 0.001) and had higher baseline CB (29 vs 6.5 µmol/L; P = 0.001). No differences were found by 6 weeks (14.5 vs 5 µmol/L; P = 0.54) and by PN cessation (4 vs 4 µmol/L; P = 0.33). The proportion of patients with IFALD decreased from 54% to 20% for composite ILE, while stable given soybean oil ILE (7%). There were no differences in weight, length, or head circumference z scores ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our institutions, over 8 years, chronic intestinal failure was rare. Composite ILE was the predominant lipid choice for infants who needed longer courses of PN or had developed cholestasis. Despite longer PN duration, and higher baseline CB, overall rates of IFALD decreased with composite ILE. Regardless of parenteral lipid used, there were no differences in growth.

Daily Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to evaluate the response to 6000 IU oral cholecalciferol (OC) treatment in children with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 25(OH)D deficiency. METHODS: This historical cohort included non-transplanted CLD patients younger than 18 years old, which were analyzed for serum 25(OH)D, liver function, bone metabolism, Child-Pugh classification, and anthropometry. Patients with 25(OH)D deficiency (defined as 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) who received 6000 IU/day of OC were analyzed pre- and post-intervention, and considered responders if 25(OH)D > 20 ng/mL after at least 60 days. We compared clinical and laboratory data from patients with and without 25(OH)D deficiency, responders and nonresponders. RESULTS: We studied 96 patients, of which 57.2% had biliary atresia. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was 67.7% (65/96). These patients were younger ( P < 0.001), had higher Child-Pugh scores ( P < 0.001), higher levels of total bilirubin (TB) ( P < 0.001), gamma-glutamyl transferase ( P < 0.001), and alkaline phosphatase ( P = 0.002), as well as lower levels of phosphorus ( P = 0.009) compared with patients without 25(OH)D deficiency. The median treatment length was 126 days (70-307 days). At the end of treatment, we observed a higher median of 25(OH)D ( P < 0.001), and lower median of parathyroid hormone (PTH) ( P = 0.023). Nine patients (29%) restored 25(OH)D to normal range; they had lower Child-Pugh score ( P = 0.001), lower TB levels ( P = 0.001), and higher level of phosphorus ( P = 0.003) after treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in 25(OH)D and decrease in PTH levels, 6000 IU/day of OC was not sufficient to restore 25(OH)D deficiency in most of the patients in this study.

Lipid strategies to prevent intestinal failure-associated liver disease in neonates: A pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) occurs in up to 50% of neonates treated with prolonged parenteral nutrition. Preventative strategies for IFALD include soybean oil lipid emulsion (SOLE) minimization and use of mixed-oil intravenous lipid emulsions (ILE). We conducted a pilot study prospectively comparing these two ILE strategies in the prevention of IFALD in neonates who required abdominal surgery. METHODS: We randomized eligible neonates to SOLE at 1 g/kg/day (SOLE Min) or mixed-oil ILE containing fish oil (MOLE) at 3 g/kg/day. These treatment groups were also compared with historic controls who received SOLE at 2-3 g/kg/day (SOLE Historic). We defined IFALD as a direct bilirubin >2 mg/dl on two measurements. Secondary outcomes included laboratory, growth, clinical, and nutrition outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 24 prospective and 24 historic patients were included. There was no difference in the rate of IFALD. However, there was a difference in the weekly change of direct bilirubin levels (SOLE Historic +0.293 mg/dl/week vs MOLE, P < 0.001; SOLE Min +0.242 mg/dl/week vs MOLE, P < 0.001). The MOLE group also had a lower direct bilirubin at study completion (SOLE Historic, 1.7 ± 1.7 mg/dl; SOLE Min, 1.6 ± 1.4 mg/dl; MOLE, 0.4 ± 0.4 mg/dl; P = 0.002) and received greater total calories (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The rate of IFALD did not differ when comparing ILE strategies in neonates requiring abdominal surgery. However, the MOLE group maintained significantly lower direct bilirubin levels over time while receiving increased calories. This pilot study highlights the need for further randomized controlled trials comparing these ILE strategies.

Liver disease among patients with psoriasis: the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic options may be limited for patients with psoriasis who have concomitant liver disease (PsL). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to report the frequency of liver disease among patients with psoriasis, and describe the clinical features, treatment modalities and quality of life. METHODS: This was a multicentre cross-sectional study of patients with psoriasis notified to the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry (MPR) from January 2007 to December 2018. RESULTS: Of 21 735 patients with psoriasis, 174 (0.8%) had liver disease. The three most common liver diseases were viral hepatitis (62.1%), fatty liver (14.4%) and liver cirrhosis (10.9%). The male-to-female ratio was 3.8 : 1. Mean age (SD) of onset of psoriasis was higher in those with liver disease vs. those without [37.25 years (13.47) vs. 33.26 years (16.96), P < 0.001]. Patients with PsL, compared with those without liver disease, had a higher rate of dyslipidaemia (27.5% vs. 16.4%, P < 0.001), hypertension (33.9% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.002), diabetes mellitus (22.4% vs. 15.9%, P = 0.021) and HIV infection (5.3% vs. 0.4%, P < 0.001). Those with PsL were also more likely than those without liver disease to have severe disease [body surface area > 10% and/or Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) > 10] (59.3% vs. 49.9%, P = 0.027), psoriatic arthropathy (21.1% vs. 13.0%, P = 0.002) and nail involvement (78.2% vs. 56.1%, P < 0.001). Also significantly higher in the group with PsL were the use of phototherapy (8.4% vs. 2.6%, P < 0.001), acitretin (7.3% vs. 2.8%, P < 0.001) and ciclosporin (3.0% vs. 0.7%, P < 0.001). Mean DLQI was similar in both groups [9.69 (7.20) vs. 9.62 (6.75), P = 0.88]. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of patients with PsL in the MPR was 0.8%. Patients with PsL were more likely to be male, had a higher rate of comorbidities, severe disease, and nail and joint involvement than those without liver disease.

Home-based intensive nutrition therapy improves frailty and sarcopenia in patients with decompensated cirrhosis: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The majority of patients with decompensated cirrhosis suffer from malnutrition, a potentially modifiable contributor to frailty and sarcopenia. The present study investigated the impact of a 6-month dietician-supported home-based intensive nutrition therapy (HINT) intervention on objective frailty and sarcopenia metrics in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: One hundred adult patients with decompensated cirrhosis, frailty, and sarcopenia at baseline were randomized 1:1 to receive standard medical therapy (SMT) plus HINT (intervention) versus SMT (control) alone. The primary outcome was an improvement in frailty as measured by the liver frailty index (LFI). Secondary outcome measures included sarcopenia metrics, liver disease severity scores, hospitalization, and death. RESULTS: The LFI improved more in the intervention arm as compared with controls (0.8 vs 0.4; P < 0.001). Baseline and end-of-study skeletal muscle index (SMI) was available in a subset of 32 male patients, with greater improvements seen in the intervention arm compared with controls (6.36 vs 0.80; P = 0.02). Patients in the intervention arm had less hospitalizations over the 6-month follow-up (19 [38%] vs 29 [58%]; P = 0.04). On subgroup analysis, in the 64% of patients who were adherent to calorie and protein intake targets at 6 months, significant improvement was seen in liver disease severity scores and survival (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, frailty, and sarcopenia, a 6-month dietitian-supported home-based intensive outpatient nutrition therapy was associated with statistically and clinically relevant improvement in frailty. The subgroup of adherent patients showed improvement in their liver disease scores and reduction in mortality. These findings support the key role of food as medicine in the management of cirrhosis.

MAFLD, patient-centred care, and APASL.

Asian-Pacific nations are home to more than half the world's population and similar to other global super regions, metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the principal cause for chronic liver disease. To address the challenges ahead for tackling the disease at-scale, the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) was the first pan-national society to endorse and lead the process for redefining the disease and adopting the more appropriate term "MAFLD" with its accompanying set of positive diagnostic criteria. As with this initiative, APASL and Hepatology International will continue to strive to lead the field and work with sister societies towards full adoption of MAFLD. This will advance the science and practice of Hepatology and help incorporate MAFLD within multidisciplinary care teams. Ultimately, it will lead to more cogent clinical trials built on innovative design platforms that include patients with any disease related to metabolic dysfunction. For our patients, an outcome of these endeavours will be the provision of holistic person-centred care for this disease that is so common in our region.

Role of Vitamin D in Liver Disease and Complications of Advanced Chronic Liver Disease.

Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient with many pleiotropic effects on health and various chronic diseases. The purpose of this review is to provide a detailed report on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying vitamin D deficiency in patients with chronic liver disease, addressing the different liver etiologies and the condition of advanced chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) with related complications. To date, patients with liver disease, regardless of underlying etiology, have been shown to have reduced levels of vitamin D. There is also evidence of the predictive role of vitamin D values in complications and progression of advanced disease. However, specific indications of vitamin D supplementation are not conclusive concerning what is already recommended in the general population. Future studies should make an effort to unify and validate the role of vitamin D supplementation in chronic liver disease.

Fat Soluble Vitamin Assessment and Supplementation in Cholestasis.

Malnutrition in children with chronic cholestasis is a prevalent issue and a major risk factor for adverse outcomes. Fat soluble vitamin (FSV) deficiency is an integral feature of cholestatic disease in children, often occurring within the first months of life in those with neonatal cholestasis and malnutrition. This review focuses on FSVs in cholestasis, with particular emphasis on a practical approach to surveillance and supplementation that includes approaches that account for differing local resources. The overarching strategy suggested is to incorporate recognition of FSV deficiencies in cholestatic children in order to develop practical plans for close monitoring and aggressive FSV repletion. Routine attention to FSV assessment and supplementation in cholestatic infants will reduce long periods of inadequate levels and subsequent adverse clinical sequalae.

Exploring the long-term risk factors associated with intestinal failure-associated liver disease in pediatric and adult patients: The role of lipid injectable emulsions in the development of liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Despite parenteral nutrition (PN) being life sustaining, one of the risk factors associated with its long-term use is intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), which increases the risk for morbidity and mortality. This review examines some of the risk factors associated with IFALD. METHODS: A literature review using the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL between 2010 and 2020 was performed using search terms, including long-term total PN and liver failure, serum plant sterols and liver failure, and complications and PN. Articles in English using both human and animal participants were included. RESULTS: The pathophysiology associated with PN and liver disease is multifactorial and influenced by the remaining small-bowel length, presence of the ileal cecal valve, lack of enteral stimulation, type of lipid injectable emulsion (ILE), plant sterol content, and excessive calories. The type of ILE plays a major role because of the phytosterol (PS) content, affecting the microbiome composition and inhibiting key gut signals. The PS content is highest in soy oil (SO)-based ILE, which increases inflammation and impairs biliary flow. CONCLUSION: Serum PS correlates with liver biomarker abnormalities and is highest in SO-based ILE use compared with mixed-oil emulsions. Selection of a low-PS content ILE is recommended to reduce the risk of biliary cholestasis. Stimulation of the gut, if possible, is recommended to maintain gut integrity and reduce bacterial overgrowth. Fish oil (FO) shows promise in IFALD reversal however, large randomized controlled trials are needed to further establish support for the use of FO in adults.

The Role of Vitamin Deficiency in Liver Disease: To Supplement or Not Supplement?

Over the past few years, growing interest has been shown for the impact of dietary requirements and nutritional factors on chronic diseases. As a result, nutritional programs have been reinforced by public health policies. The precise role of micronutrients in chronic liver disease is currently receiving particular attention since abnormalities in vitamin levels are often detected. At present, treatment programs are focused on correcting vitamin deficiencies, which are frequently correlated to higher rates of comorbidities with poor outcomes. The literature reviewed here indicates that liver diseases are often related to vitamin disorders, due to both liver impairment and abnormal intake. More specific knowledge about the role of vitamins in liver disease is currently emerging from various results and recent evidence. The most significant benefits in this area may be observed when improved vitamin intake is combined with a pharmacological treatment that may also affect the progression of the liver disease, especially in the case of liver tumors. However, further studies are needed.

Malnutrition in Pediatric Chronic Cholestatic Disease: An Up-to-Date Overview.

Despite recent advances, the causes of and effective therapies for pediatric chronic cholestatic diseases remain elusive, and many patients progress to liver failure and need liver transplantation. Malnutrition is a common complication in these patients and is a well-recognized, tremendous challenge for the clinician. We undertook a narrative review of both recent and relevant older literature, published during the last 20 years, for studies linking nutrition to pediatric chronic cholestasis. The collected data confirm that malnutrition and failure to thrive are associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality, and they also affect the outcomes of liver transplantation, including long-term survival. Malnutrition in children with chronic liver disease is multifactorial and with multiple potential nutritional deficiencies. To improve life expectancy and the quality of life, patients require careful assessments and appropriate management of their nutritional statuses by multidisciplinary teams, which can identify and/or prevent specific deficiencies and initiate appropriate interventions. Solutions available for the clinical management of these children in general, as well as those directed to specific etiologies, are summarized. We particularly focus on fat-soluble vitamin deficiency and malnutrition due to fat malabsorption. Supplemental feeding, including medium-chain triglycerides, essential fatty acids, branched-chain amino acids, and the extra calories needed to overcome the consequences of anorexia and high energy requirements, is reviewed. Future studies should address the need for further improving commercially available and nutritionally complete infant milk formulae for the dietary management of this fragile category of patients. The aid of a specialist dietitian, educational training regarding nutritional guidelines for stakeholders, and improving family nutritional health literacy appear essential.

Easy clinical predictor for low BCAA to tyrosine ratio in chronic liver disease patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Usefulness of ALBI score as nutritional prognostic marker.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Low branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) to tyrosine ratio (BTR) is known as an indicator of amino acid imbalance. We elucidated usefulness of newly developed albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score as alternative methods of BTR in patients with naïve hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) retrospectively. MATERIALS/METHODS: In 842 patients with HCC and without BCAA supplementation (71 years, male 614, Child-Pugh A:B:C = 689:116:37), relationships among BTR and clinical features were evaluated. Of those, 438 patients, with Milan criteria HCC, treated curatively were divided into the high-BTR (>4.4) (n = 293) and low-BTR (≤4.4) (n = 145) groups. The prognostic value of BTR was evaluated using inverse probability weighting (IPW) with propensity score. RESULTS: The low-BTR group showed worse prognosis than the other (3-, 5-, 10-year overall survival rates: 88.9% vs. 86.3%/70.5% vs. 78.1%/38.1% vs. 52.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox-hazard analysis adjusted for IPW showed elderly (≥65 years) HR 2.314, p = 0.001), female gender (HR 0.422, p < 0.001), ECOG PS ≥2 (HR 3.032, p = 0.002), low platelet count (HR 1.757, p = 0.010), and low BTR (≤4.4) (HR 1.852, p = 0.005) to be significant prognostic factors. Both serum albumin level (r = 0.370, p < 0.001) and ALBI score (r = -0.389, p < 0.001) showed a significant relationship with BTR. Child-Pugh class B, modified ALBI grade (mALBI) 2a, and mALBI 2b predictive values for BTR were 3.589, 4.509, and 4.155 (AUC range: 0.735-0.770), respectively, while the predictive value of ALBI score for low-BTR (≤4.4) was -2.588 (AUC 0.790). CONCLUSION: ALBI score -2.588 was a predictor for low-BTR (≤4.4), which was prognostic factors for early HCC patients, and at least patients with mALBI 2b might have an amino acid imbalance.

Clinical study on acupuncture treatment of hypertension with hyperactivity of liver yang.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension can lead to different degrees complications of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, and increase the risk of sudden death. Acupuncture has become a complementary alternative therapy for hypertension because of its antihypertensive and nontoxic side effects. However, there is still lack of evidence-based medicine evidence for an effective acupuncture antihypertensive prescription. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a special acupuncture prescription on hypertension with hyperactivity of liver yang. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, we will recruit 56 hypertensive patients with hyperactivity of liver yang. Then the patients will be randomly divided into control group and experimental group. The control group will be treated with western medicine, and the experimental group will be treated with medicine combined with acupuncture. The intervention will last 4 weeks. The indices will be collected before acupuncture, after acupuncture, and 2 weeks after acupuncture. The primary outcome will be 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure. The secondary outcomes will be clinic blood pressure, anxiety and depression score, and the syndrome score of hyperactivity of liver yang. The auxiliary indicators will be blood pressure load values and salt sensitivity risk rate. The exploratory indicator will be acupoint diagnosis. The safety evaluation indicator will be incidence of adverse events. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide favorable evidence for the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in reducing blood pressure, and explore the positive reaction acupoints which related to hypertension.

The impact of L-branched-chain amino acids and L-leucine on malnutrition, sarcopenia, and other outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic and hormonal disorders resulting from chronic liver diseases culminate in increased proteolysis and decreased protein synthesis, which contributes to the development and progression of malnutrition and, consequently, sarcopenia. Nutritional management of sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis is a continuously evolving field and data on essential amino acid supplementation in chronic liver diseases is scarce. AREAS COVERED: This review encompasses the current literature on oral amino acids supplementation in patients with chronic liver disease or patients with liver cirrhosis to try to elucidate the possible effects of L-branched-chain amino acids and isolated L-leucine as a therapeutic approach to malnutrition and sarcopenia. EXPERT COMMENTARY: To ensure an optimal nutritional status and to reduce sarcopenia, it is necessary to assess nutritional status in all patients with liver cirrhosis and to apply nutritional interventions accordingly. The supply of calories, proteins, and essential amino acids is necessary for the maintenance of muscle mass and function. Although supplementation of L-branched-chain amino acids plays an important role in liver disease, L-leucine has been described as the main amino acid involved in protein turnover, reducing proteolysis, and stimulating protein synthesis.

Soybean-Oil Lipid Minimization for Prevention of Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease in Late-Preterm and Term Infants With Gastrointestinal Surgical Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), a multifactorial disease, is common among infants with gastrointestinal surgical disorders (GISDs). Prolonged soy-based intravenous lipid emulsion (S-ILE) intake is associated with IFALD, but preventive studies of limiting S-ILE have been inconclusive. Furthermore, a double-blind, randomized preventive trial (DBRPT) of S-ILE intake has not been performed in infants with GISDs. Our objective was to compare the effect of 1 g/kg/d vs 2 g/kg/d S-ILE intake for 6 weeks on the incidence of IFALD and the rate of rise of direct bilirubin (DB) in infants with GISDs. METHODS: A DBRPT was conducted in infants with GISDs at ≥34 weeks' gestational age (GA) admitted to the NICU within 72 hours after birth. Infants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 1 or 2 g/kg/d S-ILE for 6 weeks. IFALD was defined as DB ≥2 mg/dL. RESULTS: Forty infants were studied. The 2 groups had similar clinical characteristics except for GA and blood group incompatibility. Thirty percent of infants in each group developed IFALD (P = .94). However, infants in the group receiving 1 g/kg/d S-ILE (n = 20) had a lower rate of rise of DB compared with infants in the group receiving 2 g/kg/d S-ILE (n = 20). CONCLUSIONS: Reducing S-ILE intake for 6 weeks in infants with GISD at ≥34 weeks' GA may not prevent IFALD. The extrapolated data on the rate of rise of DB suggest a possible risk of earlier development of IFALD with S-ILE intake of 2 g/kg/d, as compared with 1 g/kg/d, beyond the 6-week study period.

Clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with pre-existing liver diseases: A multicenter study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide, the implication of pre-existing liver disease on the outcome of COVID-19 remains unresolved.
. METHODS: A total of 1,005 patients who were admitted to five tertiary hospitals in South Korea with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients with coexisting liver disease as well as the predictors of disease severity and mortality of COVID-19 were assessed.
. RESULTS: Of the 47 patients (4.7%) who had liver-related comorbidities, 14 patients (1.4%) had liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis was more common in COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia than in those with non-severe pneumonia (4.5% vs. 0.9%, P=0.006). Compared to patients without liver cirrhosis, a higher proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis required oxygen therapy; were admitted to the intensive care unit; had septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or acute kidney injury; and died (P<0.05). The overall survival rate was significantly lower in patients with liver cirrhosis than in those without liver cirrhosis (log-rank test, P=0.003). Along with old age and diabetes, the presence of liver cirrhosis was found to be an independent predictor of severe disease (odds ratio, 4.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-17.02;P=0.026) and death (hazard ratio, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.04-9.30; P=0.042) in COVID-19 patients.
. CONCLUSION: This study suggests liver cirrhosis is a significant risk factor for COVID-19. Stronger personal protection and more intensive treatment for COVID-19 are recommended in these patients.