Alpha Klotho and Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 Among Alcoholics.

AIMS: Alcoholism may be a cardiovascular risk factor. Osteocyte derived molecules such as fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and soluble α Klotho have recently been associated with cardiovascular disease, but their role in alcoholics is unknown. We here analyze the behavior of FGF23 and α Klotho in alcoholics. METHODS: Ninety-seven alcoholic patients were assessed for liver function, presence of hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), vascular calcifications (assessed by chest X-ray) and nutritional status (lean and fat mass measured by densitometry). We measured plasma levels of FGF-23 and serum soluble α Klotho, using ELISA in 97 patients and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: FGF-23 levels were higher in patients than in controls (Z = 3.50; P < 0.001). FGF-23 (Z = 5.03; P < 0.001) and soluble α Klotho (Z = 5.61; P < 0.001) were higher in cirrhotics, and both were related to liver function, independently of serum creatinine FGF-23 levels were higher among alcoholics with diabetes (Z = 2.55; P = 0.011) or hypertension (Z = 2.56; P = 0.01), and increased body fat (ρ = 0.28; P = 0.022 for trunk fat), whereas α Klotho levels were higher in patients with LVH (Z = 2.17; P = 0.03) or atrial fibrillation (Z = 2.34; P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: FGF-23 was higher in alcoholics than in controls, especially among cirrhotics, and soluble α Klotho levels were also higher among cirrhotics. Both were related to liver function impairment, independently of serum creatinine levels, and also showed significant associations with vascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes or trunk fat amount in the case of FGF-23, or LVH or atrial fibrillation in the case of α Klotho. SHORT SUMMARY: We report increased values of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and soluble α Klotho in cirrhotic alcoholics. Both molecules are associated with liver function impairment, and with some cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, increased body fat, left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial fibrillation independently of serum creatinine.

Malondialdehyde as a Prognostic Factor in Alcoholic Hepatitis.

AIMS: Alcoholic hepatitis is a severe complication of alcoholism, associated with high short-term mortality. Although pathogenesis remains obscure, it is generally accepted that lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine secretion with further generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) play outstanding roles. Prognosis is uncertain, and the usually employed prognostic scores do not include variables related to ROS generation. Therefore, this study was performed to assess short-term prognostic value of cytokines, nutritional status, different scores [Maddrey, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), albumin, bilirubin, INR, creatinine index (ABIC), Lille, Glasgow, MELD-Na, Child-Pugh] and malondialdehyde (MDA, as an indicator of lipid peroxidation) at admission and after 1 week, among patients affected by severe acute alcoholic hepatitis (Maddrey index >32). METHODS: Sixty-two patients affected by severe acute alcoholic hepatitis, for whom we calculated Maddrey, MELD, ABIC, Lille, Glasgow, MELD-Na, Child-Pugh, and determined serum MDA and interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma levels at admission and after 1 week. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients died during the follow-up period. MDA showed a better prognostic accuracy than the aforementioned scores, both at admission and after 1 week. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the importance of including MDA assessment in the prognostic evaluation of patients with alcoholic hepatitis. SHORT SUMMARY: Alcoholic hepatitis is associated with high short-term mortality. Although not included in prognostic scores, lipid peroxidation plays an outstanding role in its pathogenesis. We found that malondialdehyde levels showed a better prognostic accuracy than the usually employed scores. Therefore, it should be included in the prognostic evaluation of these patients.

Valor pronóstico de la homocisteína sérica en enfermos ancianos hospitalizados en un servicio de medicina interna / Prognostic value of serum homocysteine levels in elderly hospitalized patients

Antecedentes y objetivos: el aumento de la homocisteína se relaciona con la enfermedad vascular y un incremento de la mortalidad. La disminución de la homocisteína se asocia también con un peor pronóstico en enfermos en hemodiálisis; sin embargo, esta relación no ha sido bien estudiada en otro tipo de pacientes. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el valor pronóstico de los niveles de homocisteína en enfermos ancianos pluripatológicos ingresados en un servicio general de medicina interna Pacientes y métodos: estudiamos a 239 pacientes (121 mujeres y 118 varones; edad media: 78 años) en los que determinamos la homocisteína sérica y la relacionamos con los factores de riesgo vascular, enfermedad vascular: cardiopatía isquémica, ACV isquémico y arteriopatía periférica, estado de nutrición, creatinina, albúmina, ácido fólico y vitamina B12. Resultados: la mortalidad durante el ingreso de los enfermos con homocisteína menor de 9 μmol/l fue del 33%, del 9% cuando estaba entre 9 y 20 μmol/l y del 17% si era superior a 20 μmol/l. La disminución de la homocisteína se relacionó con mayor comorbilidad, pérdida de peso y disminución de la albúmina. A largo plazo, el aumento de la homocisteína se relacionó con mayor mortalidad, especialmente en los pacientes con enfermedad vascular. Conclusión: en los pacientes ancianos pluripatológicos tanto la disminución como el aumento de la homocisteína se asocian con una mayor mortalidad (AU)

Background and objectives: increased serum homocysteine levels are related to vascular disease and increased mortality. The decrease of homocysteine is also associated with a worse prognosis in patients on hemodialysis; however, this relationship has not been well studied in other patients. Our goal is to study the prognosis of increased and decreased serum homocysteine levels in elderly patients admitted to a general internal medicine unit. Patients and methods: we included 239 patients (121 women and 118 men; mean age, 78 years) in which we determined serum homocysteine levels and study its relationship with vascular risk factors, vascular disease: ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial disease, nutritional status, creatinine, albumin, folate and B12 vitamin. Results: mortality during hospitalization of patients with homocysteine levels below 9 µmol/l was 33%, 9% for those with levels between 9 and 20 µmol/l and 17% for those with levels above 20 µmol/l. Low homocysteine values were related to increased comorbidity, higher degree of weight loss and decreased serum albumin levels. In a survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves, increased homocysteine was associated with increased mortality especially in patients with vascular disease. Conclusion: in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, both decreased and increased serum homocysteine levels are associated with increased mortality (AU)

Esclerostina y grasa corporal / Sclerostin and body fat

No disponible