Patients with autoimmune liver disease have glucose disturbances that mechanistically differ from steatotic liver disease.

Autoimmune liver diseases are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the glucose-regulatory disturbances in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH, n=19), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC, n=15), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC, n=6). Healthy individuals (n=24) and patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, n=18) were included as controls. Blood samples were collected during a 120 min oral glucose tolerance test. We measured the concentrations of glucose, C-peptide, insulin, glucagon, the two incretin hormones glucose insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). We calculated the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), whole body insulin resistance (Matsuda index), insulin clearance, and insulinogenic index. All patient groups had increased fasting plasma glucose and impaired glucose responses compared with healthy controls. Beta-cell secretion was increased in AIH, PBC, and MASLD but not in PSC. AIH and MASLD patients had hyperglucagonemia and hepatic, as well as peripheral, insulin resistance and decreased insulin clearance, resulting in hyperinsulinemia. Patients with autoimmune liver disease had an increased GIP response, and those with AIH or PBC had an increased GLP-1 response. Our data demonstrate that the mechanism underlying glucose disturbances in patients with autoimmune liver disease differs from that underlying MASLD, including compensatory incretin responses in patients with autoimmune liver disease. Our results suggest that glucose disturbances are present at an early stage of the disease.

A randomized controlled trial of a postdischarge nursing intervention for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Few randomized trials have evaluated the effect of postdischarge interventions for patients with liver cirrhosis. This study assessed the effects of a postdischarge intervention on readmissions and mortality in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial at a specialized liver unit. Adult patients admitted with complications of liver cirrhosis were eligible for inclusion. Participants were allocated 1:1 to standard follow-up or a family-focused nurse-led postdischarge intervention between December 1, 2019, and October 31, 2021. The 6-month intervention consisted of a patient pamphlet, 3 home visits, and 3 follow-up telephone calls by a specialized liver nurse. The primary outcome was the number of readmissions due to liver cirrhosis. RESULTS: Of the 110 included participants, 93% had alcohol as a primary etiology. We found no significant differences in effects in the primary outcomes such as time to first readmission, number of patients readmitted, and duration of readmissions or in the secondary outcomes like health-related quality of life and 6- and 12-month mortality. A post hoc exploratory analysis showed a significant reduction in nonattendance rates in the intervention group (RR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13-0.54, p=0.0004) and significantly fewer participants continuing to consume alcohol in the intervention group (p=0.003). After 12 months, the total number of readmissions (RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.96, p=0.02) and liver-related readmissions (RR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.36-0.82, p=0.003) were reduced in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: A family-focused postdischarge nursing intervention had no significant effects on any of the primary or secondary outcomes. In a post hoc exploratory analysis, we found reduced 6-month nonattendance and alcohol consumption rates, as well as reduced 12-month readmission rates in the intervention group.

Atorvastatin for patients with cirrhosis. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension face a high risk of complications. Besides their anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects, statins may reduce portal pressure and thus the risk of complications and mortality. We aimed to investigate the effects of atorvastatin on hospital admissions, mortality, inflammation, and lipidomics in cirrhosis with portal hypertension. METHODS: We performed a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial among patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Atorvastatin (10-20 mg/d) was administered for 6 months. We measured splanchnic hemodynamics, analyzed inflammatory markers, and performed lipidomics at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were randomized, with 38 patients allocated to atorvastatin and 40 patients to placebo. Fifty-nine patients completed 6 months of intervention. Comparisons between changes in each group were calculated. Liver-related complications and mortality were similar between the groups. The HVPG and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score did not change between groups (p=0.95 and 0.87, respectively). Atorvastatin decreased 3 of 42 inflammatory markers, CD62-L-selectin, matrix metalloproteinases-2, and TNF-α (p-values: 0.005, 0.011, and 0.023, respectively), while lipidomics was not significantly changed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis, atorvastatin was safe to use, but did not reduce mortality, the risk of liver-related complications, or the HVPG. Atorvastatin induced minor anti-inflammatory effects and minor effects on lipids during a 6-month treatment period.

Markers of inflammation predict survival in newly diagnosed cirrhosis: a prospective registry study.

The inflammatory activity in cirrhosis is often pronounced and related to episodes of decompensation. Systemic markers of inflammation may contain prognostic information, and we investigated their possible correlation with admissions and mortality among patients with newly diagnosed liver cirrhosis. We collected plasma samples from 149 patients with newly diagnosed (within the past 6 months) cirrhosis, and registered deaths and hospital admissions within 180 days. Ninety-two inflammatory markers were quantified and correlated with clinical variables, mortality, and admissions. Prediction models were calculated by logistic regression. We compared the disease courses of our cohort with a validation cohort of 86 patients with cirrhosis. Twenty of 92 markers of inflammation correlated significantly with mortality within 180 days (q-values of 0.00-0.044), whereas we found no significant correlations with liver-related admissions. The logistic regression models yielded AUROCs of 0.73 to 0.79 for mortality and 0.61 to 0.73 for liver-related admissions, based on a variety of modalities (clinical variables, inflammatory markers, clinical scores, or combinations thereof). The models performed moderately well in the validation cohort and were better able to predict mortality than liver-related admissions. In conclusion, markers of inflammation can be used to predict 180-day mortality in patients with newly diagnosed cirrhosis. Prediction models for newly diagnosed cirrhotic patients need further validation before implementation in clinical practice.Trial registration: NCT04422223 (and NCT03443934 for the validation cohort), and Scientific Ethics Committee No.: H-19024348.

Suboptimal diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and CT for compensated cirrhosis: Evidence from prospective cohort studies.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal ultrasound (US) and CT are important tools for the initial evaluation of patients with liver disease. Our study aimed to determine the accuracy of these methods for diagnosing cirrhosis. METHODS: In all, 377 participants from 4 prospective cohort studies evaluating patients with various liver diseases were included. All patients were included between 2017 and 2022 and had undergone a liver biopsy as well as US and/or CT. Using the histological assessment as the gold standard, we calculated diagnostic accuracy for US and CT. Liver biopsies were evaluated by expert histopathologists and diagnostic scans by experienced radiologists. RESULTS: The mean age was 54 ± 14 years and 47% were female. Most patients had NAFLD (58.3%) or alcohol-associated liver disease (25.5%). The liver biopsy showed cirrhosis in 147 patients (39.0%). Eighty-three patients with cirrhosis had Child-Pugh A (56.4% of patients with cirrhosis) and 64 had Child-Pugh B/C (43.6%). Overall, the sensitivity for diagnosing cirrhosis by US was 0.71 (95% CI 0.62-0.79) and for CT 0.74 (95% CI 0.64-0.83). The specificity was high for US (0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.97) and for CT (0.93, 95% CI 0.83-0.98). When evaluating patients with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, sensitivity was only 0.62 (95% CI 0.49-0.74) for US and 0.60 (95% CI 0.43-0.75) for CT. For patients with Child-Pugh B/C, sensitivity was 0.83 (95% CI 0.70-0.92) for US and 0.87 (95% CI 0.74-0.95) for CT. When limiting our analysis to NAFLD (20% with cirrhosis), the sensitivity for US was 0.45 (95% CI 0.28-0.64) and specificity was 0.97 (95% CI 0.93-0.99). CONCLUSION: US and CT show moderate sensitivity and may potentially overlook compensated cirrhosis underlining the need for additional diagnostic testing.

Postprandial dysfunction in fatty liver disease.

Fatty liver disease has mainly been characterized under fasting conditions. However, as the liver is essential for postprandial homeostasis, identifying postprandial disturbances may be important. Here, we investigated postprandial changes in markers of metabolic dysfunction between healthy individuals, obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and patients with cirrhosis. We included individuals with biopsy-proven NAFLD (n = 9, mean age 50 years, mean BMI 35 kg/m2 , no/mild fibrosis), cirrhosis with hepatic steatosis (n = 10, age 62 years, BMI 32 kg/m2 , CHILD A/B) and healthy controls (n = 10, age 23, BMI 25 kg/m2 ), randomized 1:1 to fasting or standardized mixed meal test (postprandial). None of the patients randomized to mixed meal test had type 2 diabetes (T2D). Peripheral blood was collected for 120 min. After 60 min, a transjugular liver biopsy and liver vein blood was taken. Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) were measured. Postprandial peak glucose and C-peptide were significantly increased in NAFLD, and cirrhosis compared with healthy. Patients with NAFLD and cirrhosis had hyperglucagonemia as a potential sign of glucagon resistance. FGF21 was increased in NAFLD and cirrhosis independent of sampling from the liver vein versus peripheral blood. Glucagon levels were higher in the liver vein compared with peripheral blood. Patients with NAFLD and cirrhosis without T2D showed impaired glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglucagonemia after a meal compared to healthy individual. Postprandial characterization of patients with NAFLD may be important to capture their metabolic health.

Ischemic Heart Disease in Chronic Hepatitis B: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study.

Objective: Data on the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) are conflicting. Our objective was to address the rate of IHD in patients with CHB compared with individuals without CHB (control-persons) from the general population. Study Design and Setting: We conducted a cohort study of prospectively obtained data from Danish nationwide registries. We produced cumulative incidence curves and calculated the unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) of IHD in persons with and without CHB. The adjusted association between having CHB and developing IHD was examined using a cause-specific Cox regression model. Results: In total, 6472 persons with CHB and 62,251 age- and sex-matched individuals from the general population were followed for 48,840 and 567,456 person-years, respectively, during which 103 (1,59%) with CHB and 1058 (1,70%) control-persons developed IHD. The crude IRR was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.91-1.39). CHB did not have a statistically significant effect on the rate of IHD after adjusting for several confounding factors (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.76-1.21). Conclusion: In this nationwide cohort study, we did not find any difference between rate of IHD in persons with CHB in comparison with the general population.

Mortality and cause of death in persons with chronic hepatitis B virus infection versus healthy persons from the general population in Denmark.

The study aimed to determine adjusted all-cause mortality and cause of death in persons with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection compared with age- and sex-matched persons from the general population. We used nationwide registers to identify persons aged ≥18 years with chronic HBV infection in 2002-2017 in Denmark and included 10 age- and sex-matched controls for each. Follow-up was from 6 months after diagnosis until death, emigration, or 31 December 2017. Mortality rate ratios (MRRs) adjusted for age, sex, employment, origin and comorbidity were calculated using Poisson regression. Unadjusted cause-specific mortality rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated assuming a Poisson distribution. A total of 6988 persons with chronic HBV infection and 69,847 controls were included. During a median follow-up of 7.7 years (range 0.0-15.5), 315 (5%) persons with-and 1525 (2%) without-chronic HBV infection died. The adjusted all-cause MRR was 1.5 (95% CI 1.2-2.0). Persons with chronic HBV infection had increased mortality due to liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma (MRR 12.3 [8.6-17.7]), external causes (MRR 3.3 [2.5-4.7]), endocrine disease (MRR 3.2 [1.8-5.4]), genitourinary disease (MRR 3.2 [1.2-7.6]) and neoplasms (except hepatocellular carcinoma; MRR 1.6 [1.2-2.0]). In conclusion, this study showed an increased all-cause mortality in persons with chronic HBV infection in comparison with age- and sex-matched persons without chronic HBV infection which remained after adjustment for several confounding factors. Excess mortality was mainly associated with liver disease, but also external factors, endocrine disease, genitourinary disease and neoplasms (excluding hepatocellular carcinoma).

Novel Anti-inflammatory Treatments in Cirrhosis. A Literature-Based Study.

Liver cirrhosis is a disease characterised by multiple complications and a poor prognosis. The prevalence is increasing worldwide. Chronic inflammation is ongoing in liver cirrhosis. No cure for the inflammation is available, and the current treatment of liver cirrhosis is only symptomatic. However, several different medical agents have been suggested as potential healing drugs. The majority are tested in rodents, but few human trials are effectuated. This review focuses on medical agents described in the literature with supposed alleviating and curing effects on liver cirrhosis. Twelve anti-inflammatory, five antioxidative, and three drugs with effects on gut microflora and the LPS pathway were found. Two drugs not categorised by the three former categories were found in addition. In total, 42 rodent studies and seven human trials were found. Promising effects of celecoxib, aspirin, curcumin, kahweol, pentoxifylline, diosmin, statins, emricasan, and silymarin were found in cirrhotic rodent models. Few indices of effects of etanercept, glycyrrhizin arginine salt, and mitoquinone were found. Faecal microbiota transplantation is in increasing searchlight with a supposed potential to alleviate cirrhosis. However, human trials are in demand to verify the findings in this review.

Tunneled Peritoneal Catheter for Refractory Ascites in Cirrhosis: A Randomized Case-Series.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Refractory ascites markedly worsens prognosis in cirrhosis. Large volume paracentesis (LVP) is standard treatment, but complications are common. In a randomized controlled case-series, we assessed a permanent tunneled peritoneal catheter versus LVP in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Random allocation was computer-generated, and concealment used opaque envelopes. Patients were included from January 2017 to December 2018. Inclusion criteria were cirrhosis and recurrent ascites and expected survival of more than 3 months. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were enrolled (PleurX =6 versus LVP = 7). Seven were female, ranging in age from 51 to 80 years. No procedure-related complications occurred. Two patients died due to variceal bleeding (PleurX-group) and sepsis (LVP-group). One patient was withdrawn due to hyponatremia (PleurX-group). Two patients were withdrawn due to bacterial peritonitis and infection of unknown origin (control-group). In the PleurX-group, all patients colonized the catheter, two developed bacterial peritonitis. The most common bacterial colonization was Staph. Epidermidis (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients, the PleurX catheter mobilizes ascites and may be an alternative to LVP. The risk of infection should be considered in each case. The impact of colonization and risk of infections needs further investigation. The present trial does not allow for statistical conclusions.

Implementation of treatment recommendations for chronic hepatitis B in patients attending specialized hospital care in Denmark - a region wide study.

Objective: To evaluate implementation of national guideline recommendations on treatment initiation for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Denmark.Methods: Using DANHEP, a nationwide cohort of chronic hepatitis B and C patients attending specialized hospital care in Denmark, we performed a descriptive cohort study from January 2002 through December 2017. We identified patients with CHB in 3 of 5 Danish regions, with at least two hospital/outpatient clinic visits during the study period.Results: We identified 990 CHB patients who remained untreated throughout the study period, and 265 who initiated treatment. At their last visit 952/990 (96%, 95% CI 95-97) untreated patients did not meet current national criteria for treatment initiation while 198/265 (75%, 95% CI 69-80) who initiated treatment met the national criteria. Overall, 198/236 (84%, 95% CI 79-88) who met national treatment criteria, initiated treatment.Conclusion: The majority of CHB patients received care in line with national guideline recommendations for treatment initiation. We found that only few patients eligible for treatment remained untreated. However, a fourth of patients who received treatment were not eligible according to national guidelines.

[Outpatient control and rehabilitation in decompensated liver cirrhosis should be an interdisciplinary approach].

There are no rehabilitative offers to patients, who are discharged following a hospitalisation with decompensated liver cirrhosis. The development and implementation of a comprehensive rehabilitative offer can lead to early detection and treatment of complications, which could eventually result in hospitalisation. In this review, we argue, that prevention of hospitalisation, self-care, quality of life, patient satisfaction and compliance should form the basis of a rehabilitative offer for patients with liver cirrhosis.

Kinetics of the soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is related to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and has been suggested to participate in the development of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to measure the concentration of suPAR in the hepatic vein of cirrhotic patients during a liver vein catheterization to identify a possible hepatic suPAR generation. Furthermore, we explored if suPAR levels were associated with the degree of cirrhosis and liver dysfunction. METHODS AND PATIENTS: We included 105 cirrhotic patients and 19 liver-healthy controls. Blood was sampled from the hepatic vein and the femoral artery and suPAR was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We identified significantly higher median suPAR concentrations among the cirrhotic patients (7.2 ng/ml in the hepatic vein; 6.8 ng/ml in the femoral artery) compared to the controls (2.6 ng/ml, respectively, p-values <0.001). However, the median hepatic suPAR formation was 0.0 ng/ml in both groups. We observed significantly increasing suPAR levels according to higher Child classes (4.5 ng/ml, 6.9 ng/ml and 9.0 ng/ml, Child A, B, C respectively; p-value<0.001), and significantly higher median suPAR concentrations in patients with ascites versus patients without ascites (8.1 ng/ml versus 5.3 ng/ml, respectively, p-value<0.001). suPAR levels were significantly related to bilirubin (r = 0.48, p<0.001), the hepatic venous pressure gradient (r = 0.39, p<0.001), the cardiac index (r = 0.24, p = 0.02) and the plasma volume (r = 0.33, p = 0.001), whereas suPAR levels were significantly inversely related to albumin (r = -0.59, p<0.001), plasma coagulation factors (r-0.39, p<0.001), the mean arterial pressure (r = -0.28, p = 0.004), the systemic vascular resistance (r = 0.26, p = 0.007), the indocyanine green clearance (r = -0.51, p<0,001) and the galactose elimination capacity (r = -0.39, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We identified elevated suPAR concentration in cirrhotic patients, which correlated significantly with the degree of cirrhosis and liver failure, but we were not able to demonstrate hepatic suPAR generation per se. This suggests that further investigations of the source of suPAR in cirrhotic patients need to be undertaken.

Carvedilol versus traditional, non-selective beta-blockers for adults with cirrhosis and gastroesophageal varices.

BACKGROUND: Non-selective beta-blockers are recommended for the prevention of bleeding in people with cirrhosis, portal hypertension and gastroesophageal varices. Carvedilol is a non-selective beta-blocker with additional intrinsic alpha1-blocking effects, which may be superior to traditional, non-selective beta-blockers in reducing portal pressure and, therefore, in reducing the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. OBJECTIVES: To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of carvedilol compared with traditional, non-selective beta-blockers for adults with cirrhosis and gastroesophageal varices. SEARCH METHODS: We combined searches in the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary's Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, and Science Citation Index with manual searches. The last search update was 08 May 2018. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised clinical trials comparing carvedilol versus traditional, non-selective beta-blockers, irrespective of publication status, blinding, or language. We included trials evaluating both primary and secondary prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in adults with cirrhosis and verified gastroesophageal varices. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three review authors (AZ, RJ and LH), independently extracted data. The primary outcome measures were mortality, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and serious adverse events. We undertook meta-analyses and presented results using risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD), both with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and I2 values as a marker of heterogeneity. We assessed bias control using the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary domains and the quality of the evidence with GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: Eleven trials fulfilled our inclusion criteria. One trial did not report clinical outcomes. We included the remaining 10 randomised clinical trials, involving 810 participants with cirrhosis and oesophageal varices, in our analyses. The intervention comparisons were carvedilol versus propranolol (nine trials), or nadolol (one trial). Six trials were of short duration (mean 6 (range 1 to 12) weeks), while four were of longer duration (13.5 (6 to 30) months). Three trials evaluated primary prevention; three evaluated secondary prevention; while four evaluated both primary and secondary prevention. We classified all trials as at 'high risk of bias'. We gathered mortality data from seven trials involving 507 participants; no events occurred in four of these. Sixteen of 254 participants receiving carvedilol and 19 of 253 participants receiving propranolol or nadolol died (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.53; I2 = 0%, low-quality evidence). There appeared to be no differences between carvedilol versus traditional, non-selective beta-blockers and the risks of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.37; 810 participants; 10 trials; I2 = 45%, very low-quality evidence) and serious adverse events (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.42; 810 participants; 10 trials; I2 = 14%, low-quality evidence). Significantly more deaths, episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and serious adverse events occurred in the long-term trials but there was not enough information to determine whether there were differences between carvedilol and traditional, non-selective beta-blockers, by trial duration. There was also insufficient information to detect differences in the effects of these interventions in trials evaluating primary or secondary prevention. There appeared to be no differences in the risk of non-serious adverse events between carvedilol versus its comparators (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.29; 596 participants; 6 trials; I2 = 88%; very low-quality evidence). Use of carvedilol was associated with a greater reduction in hepatic venous pressure gradient than traditional, non-selective beta-blockers both in absolute (MD -1.75 mmHg, 95% CI -2.60 to -0.89; 368 participants; 6 trials; I2 = 0%; low-quality evidence) and percentage terms (MD -8.02%, 95% CI -11.49% to -4.55%; 368 participants; 6 trials; I2 = 0%; low-quality evidence). However, we did not observe a concomitant reduction in the number of participants who failed to achieve a sufficient haemodynamic response (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.02; 368 participants; 6 trials; I2 = 42%; very low-quality evidence) or in clinical outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found no clear beneficial or harmful effects of carvedilol versus traditional, non-selective beta-blockers on mortality, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, serious or non-serious adverse events despite the fact that carvedilol was more effective at reducing the hepatic venous pressure gradient. However, the evidence was of low or very low quality, and hence the findings are uncertain. Additional evidence is required from adequately powered, long-term, double-blind, randomised clinical trials, which evaluate both clinical and haemodynamic outcomes.

Prognosis of patients with ascites after PleurX insertion: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of PleurX in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites. METHODS: We prospectively registered patients who received a PleurX catheter cirrhosis-associated refractory ascites at our department from July 2015 to November 2016. Our control group consisted of matched cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites treated with large volume paracentesis (LVP) and patients with malignant ascites treated with PleurX during the same period. RESULTS: We included 25 patients with cirrhosis-related ascites (7 in PleurX group) and 17 with malignant ascites (14 in PleurX group). Of these, six patients had hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis (5 in PleurX group). None were eligible for insertion of a TIPS or liver transplantation. The maximum duration of follow-up was (480 days) in the PleurX group and 366 days in the LVP group (median 84 and 173 days, respectively). There was no difference in mortality when comparing PleurX with LVP treatment (hazard ratios: 3.0 and 1.0, p = .23 and .96, respectively). Mortality was higher in patients with malignant ascites (p= .01). We found no significant differences in adverse events (incl. spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) or in P-albumin, P-creatinine and P-sodium between the groups. CONCLUSION: PleurX insertion for the treatment of refractory ascites in cirrhotic patients appears to be safe. Prospective randomized trials are necessary in order to confirm these findings.

Rifaximin has minor effects on bacterial composition, inflammation, and bacterial translocation in cirrhosis: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Decompensated cirrhosis is characterized by disturbed hemodynamics, immune dysfunction, and high risk of infections. Translocation of viable bacteria and bacterial products from the gut to the blood is considered a key driver in this process. Intestinal decontamination with rifaximin may reduce bacterial translocation (BT) and decrease inflammation. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of rifaximin on inflammation and BT in decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: Fifty-four out-patients with cirrhosis and ascites were randomized, mean age 56 years (± 8.4), and model for end-stage liver disease score 12 (± 3.9). Patients received rifaximin 550-mg BD (n = 36) or placebo BD (n = 18). Blood and fecal (n = 15) sampling were conducted at baseline and after 4 weeks. Bacterial DNA in blood was determined by real-time qPCR 16S rRNA gene quantification. Bacterial composition in feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: Circulating markers of inflammation, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukins 6, 10, and 18, stromal cell-derived factor 1-α, transforming growth factor ß-1, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein, were unaltered by rifaximin treatment. Rifaximin altered abundance of bacterial taxa in blood marginally, only a decrease in Pseudomonadales was observed. In feces, rifaximin decreased bacterial richness, but effect on particular species was not observed. Subgroup analyses on patients with severely disturbed hemodynamics (n = 34) or activated lipopolysaccharide binding protein (n = 37) revealed no effect of rifaximin. CONCLUSION: Four weeks of treatment with rifaximin had no impact on the inflammatory state and only minor effects on BT and intestinal bacterial composition in stable, decompensated cirrhosis (NCT01769040).

Rifaximin has no effect on hemodynamics in decompensated cirrhosis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Decompensated cirrhosis is characterized by disturbed systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics. Bacterial translocation from the gut is considered the key driver in this process. Intestinal decontamination with rifaximin may improve hemodynamics. This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01769040) investigates the effects of rifaximin on hemodynamics, renal function, and vasoactive hormones. We randomized 54 stable outpatients with cirrhosis and ascites to rifaximin 550 mg twice a day (n = 36) or placebo twice a day (n = 18). Forty-five patients were male, mean age 56 years (±8.4), average Child score 8.3 (±1.3), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score 11.7 (±3.9). Measurements of hepatic venous pressure gradient, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance were made at baseline and after 4 weeks. The glomerular filtration rate and plasma renin, noradrenaline, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, troponin T, and brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured. Rifaximin had no effect on hepatic venous pressure gradient, mean 16.8 ± 3.8 mm Hg at baseline versus 16.6 ± 5.3 mm Hg at follow-up, compared to the placebo, mean 16.4 ± 4 mm Hg at baseline versus 16.3 ± 4.4 mm Hg at follow-up, P = 0.94. No effect was found on cardiac output, mean 6.9 ± 1.7 L/min at baseline versus 6.9 ± 2.3 L/min at follow-up, compared to placebo, mean 6.6 ± 1.9 L/min at baseline compared to 6.5 ±2.1 L/min at follow-up, P = 0.66. No effects on the glomerular filtration rate, P = 0.14, or vasoactive hormones were found. Subgroup analyses on patients with increased lipopolysaccharide binding protein and systemic vascular resistance below the mean (1,011 dynes × s/cm5 ) revealed no effect of rifaximin. CONCLUSION: Four weeks of treatment with rifaximin did not reduce the hepatic venous pressure gradient or improve systemic hemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis and ascites; rifaximin did not affect glomerular filtration rate or levels of vasoactive hormones. (Hepatology 2017;65:592-603).

Association of markers of bacterial translocation with immune activation in decompensated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial translocation (BT) may cause infections, in particular, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). In the absence of overt infection, BT may further stimulate the immune system and contribute to haemodynamic alterations and complications. Bacterial DNA (bDNA) is claimed to be a promising surrogate marker for BT, although its clinical relevance has been questioned. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 38 cirrhotic patients with and without SBP, bDNA in blood and ascites were assessed by 16S rDNA quantitative PCR. Levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in plasma and highly sensitive C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, soluble urokinase plasminogen activating receptor, interleukin-6, interleukin 8, interferon-γ inducible protein-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor in plasma and ascites were measured by multiplex cytokine and ELISA assays. RESULTS: In patients without signs of SBP or positive cultures, we found a high frequency of bDNA but low concordance of bDNA between blood and ascites. Markers of inflammation were not significantly different between blood bDNA-positive (22%), ascites bDNA-positive (52%), and bDNA-negative patients. The 16S rDNA PCR failed to show bDNA in two out of six samples with SBP. Sequencing of positive samples did not determine the source of bDNA. CONCLUSION: bDNA as assessed by this PCR method was largely unrelated to markers of inflammation and does not seem to be of clinical value in the diagnosis of SBP. According to our results, bDNA is not a reliable marker of BT.