Real-world efficacy of sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir therapy for patients with hepatitis C virus-related decompensated cirrhosis.

AIM: Combination therapy with sofosbuvir (SOF) plus velpatasvir (VEL) is approved for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related decompensated cirrhosis. We analyzed the real-world efficacy of SOF/VEL therapy. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis (25 and eight patients with Child B and C, respectively) were treated with SOF/VEL for 12 weeks. The HCV non-structural protein (NS)5A and NS5B drug resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) were determined by direct sequencing. RESULT: Thirty-two of 33 patients completed the treatment, but the remaining patient discontinued the therapy during third week of the treatment due to aggravation of hepatic encephalopathy. Serum HCV-RNA became negative during the treatment in all patients but relapsed after the end of therapy in five patients. In total, 28 out of 33 patients (85%) achieved sustained virological response 12 weeks following completion of treatment (SVR12). The SVR12 rate was 96% in patients with Child B, but significantly lower, at 50%, in patients with Child C (P < 0.05). In genotype 1b HCV-infected patients, all eight patients without baseline NS5A RASs, but only three of seven patients with RASs, achieved SVR12. Multivariate analysis identified Child B (odds ratio, 35.8 for Child C; P = 0.045) as an independent predictor of SVR12. Median serum albumin levels significantly increased only in patients who achieved SVR12. Child-Pugh scores improved in 16 of 28 patients (57%) following achievement of SVR12. CONCLUSION: The effect of SOF/VEL therapy is lower for patients with Child C. Improvement of hepatic function is expected after viral eradication with SOF/VEL therapy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Postprandial insulin secretion pattern is associated with histological severity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients without prior known diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to contribute to the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the relationship between glucose metabolism and NAFLD is not well known. In this study, we investigated whether secretion patterns of glucose and insulin could influence the histological severity in NAFLD patients without prior known type 2 DM. METHODS: A 75-g glucose tolerance test was performed on 173 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients without prior known type 2 DM. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were analyzed periodically for 3 h after oral glucose loading. RESULTS: Of the 173 NAFLD patients, 168 had non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, whereas no patient had cirrhosis. Irrespective of the hemoglobin A1c levels, impaired glucose tolerance, including DM, was detected in 60% of the NAFLD patients. While the secretion pattern of glucose after glucose loading was similar among the NAFLD patients, postprandial insulin levels increased and delayed insulin secretion increased in severity in parallel with the aggravation of histological findings (fibrosis stages). Factors associated with advanced fibrosis were higher insulin levels at 120 min after oral glucose loading (P = 0.0001; odds ratio [OR], 3.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-7.86), aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.003; OR, 2.70; 95% CI: 1.19-6.12), and age (P = 0.02; OR, 2.49; 95% CI: 1.15-5.37) as determined by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Postprandial hyperinsulinemia (but not glucose levels) was associated with advanced fibrosis. The oral glucose tolerance test should be considered in NAFLD patients without prior known type 2 DM in order to facilitate early therapeutic intervention.

Deletion of angiotensin II type I receptor reduces hepatic steatosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A distinct subgroup of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockers (ARBs) have been reported to suppress the development of hepatic steatosis. These effects were generally explained by selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma modulating properties of ARBs, independent of their AT1R blocking actions. Here, we provide genetic evidence of the direct role for AT1R in hepatic steatosis. METHODS: The effect of AT1R deletion on steatohepatitis was investigated in AT1a(-/-) mice. Furthermore, the influence of AT1R inhibition by telmisartan as well as gene silencing of AT1R by siRNA was assessed in an in vitro experiment using HepG2 cells. RESULTS: Compared to wild-type (WT), AT1a(-/-) mice fed methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet resulted in negligible lipid accumulation in the liver with marked induction of PPARalpha mRNA. In vitro experiments also demonstrated reduced cellular lipid accumulation by telmisartan and AT1R knockdown following exposure of long chain fatty acids. This is presumably explained by the observation that the expression of PPARalpha and its target genes were significantly up-regulated in specific siRNA treated HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate, in addition to pharmacological effect of ARBs on PPARgamma activation, a key biological role for AT1R in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism.

A nuclear receptor-mediated choleretic action of fibrates is associated with enhanced canalicular membrane fluidity and transporter activity mediating bile acid-independent bile secretion.

Fibrates are commonly used lipid-lowering agents that act via PPARalpha, a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. The mechanism(s) of fibrate-induced changes in the hepatic canalicular membrane and bile lipids are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of fibrates on hepatic lipid metabolism and to assess the hepatocellular cytoprotective effect on hepatocyte canalicular membrane. Male ICR mice were fed standard chow with or without bezafibrate (100 mg/kg) for 6 days. The expression of canalicular membrane transporters (Mdr2 and Mrp2) was evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Canalicular membrane fluidity was also investigated. Canalicular membrane fluidity was markedly increased by fibrates. The expression of mdr 2 and mrp2 mRNA and protein showed a significant increase in fibrate-treated mice. These results suggested that fibrates improve liver function by enhancing bile secretion. The mechanism of the choleretic action of fibrate therapy might involve the enhancement of bile acid-independent bile secretion, since increased expression of Mdr2 and Mrp2 was found in fibrate-treated animals. These changes were very likely mediated by PPARalpha, and the increase of canalicular membrane fluidity may have been partly associated with enhancement of this transporter activity.

Atorvastatin decreases serum levels of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients with dyslipidemia: clinical usefulness of AGEs as a biomarker for the attenuation of NASH.

BACKGROUND: Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), final reaction products of protein with sugars, are known to contribute to various disorders, including diabetes, aspects of aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, we reported elevated levels of serum AGEs in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); further, we found that AGEs induced the generation of reactive oxygen species followed by the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells, a major contributor to liver fibrosis. In this study, to explore the clinical usefulness of AGEs as a biomarker for the attenuation of NASH, we investigated whether the treatment of NASH with dyslipidemia could decrease serum levels of AGEs. METHODS: This study included 43 patients with biopsy-proven NASH with dyslipidemia. Serum glyceraldehyde-derived AGE measurements and clinical laboratory tests were performed periodically during an open-label study of atorvastatin (10 mg daily) for 12 months. Standard weight-loss counseling was continued during the treatment period. Oral glucose tolerance tests and liver density assessment by computerized tomography were performed before and after treatment. Follow-up liver biopsy was performed in 22 patients. RESULTS: All 43 patients had dyslipidemia. The body mass indexes and serum glucose levels did not change during the treatment. After the treatment, NASH-related metabolic parameters were significantly improved. Serum glyceraldehyde-derived AGE levels were significantly decreased (10.4 +/- 3.8 and 2.5 +/- 1.1 IU/mL before and after treatment, respectively). The steatosis grade and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score were significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: The present data demonstrated that atorvastatin decreased the serum levels of AGEs in NASH patients with dyslipidemia and suggest the usefulness of AGEs as a biomarker for the attenuation of NASH.

Efficacy of atorvastatin for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with dyslipidemia.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Currently, there is no established therapy for NASH. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin in the treatment of NASH associated with hyperlipidemia. This prospective study included 31 patients with biopsy-proven NASH with hyperlipidemia. Body mass index, serum lipids, liver function tests, fibrosis markers, and adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were measured periodically during an open-label study of atorvastatin (10 mg daily) for 24 months. Standard weight-loss counseling was continued during the treatment period. Oral glucose tolerance test and liver density assessed by computerized tomography were performed before and after treatment. Follow-up liver biopsy was performed in 17 patients. All 31 patients had high cholesterol levels at baseline, and 20 also presented high triglyceride levels. The body mass index and serum glucose levels did not change during the treatment. After treatment, 23 patients (74.2%) presented normal transaminase levels. Adiponectin levels were significantly increased, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly decreased. However, leptin levels were not changed significantly. The concentration of long-chain fatty acids was decreased; and significant decreases were observed in C18:2,n-6 (linoleic acid, -21%) and C20:4,n-6 (arachidonic acid, -22%). Liver steatosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score were significantly improved, whereas 4 patients had increased fibrosis stage. The NASH-related metabolic parameters improved with therapy, including fibrosis in some patients. However, 4 of 17 patients had progression of fibrosis over the 2-year period, with 3 of them progressing to stage 3. It is unclear whether this divergent response represents sampling error, heterogeneity in the population, or untreated postprandial hyperglyceridemia. Controlled trials are needed to further investigate and resolve this.

Elevated levels of serum advanced glycation end products in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Advanced glycation end products (AGE), senescent macroprotein derivatives formed at an accelerated rate in diabetes, play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Recently, AGE have also been found to be involved in insulin resistance. Although non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is generally considered a hepatic manifestation of insulin resistance, there are no reports showing the link of AGE to NASH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of AGE in patients with NASH. METHODS: Glyceraldehyde-derived AGE levels were assayed from serum obtained from 106 patients: 66 with NASH, 10 with simple steatosis, and 30 controls. RESULTS: Serum glyceraldehyde-derived AGE levels (U/mL) were significantly elevated in NASH patients (9.78 +/- 3.73) compared with simple steatosis (7.17 +/- 2.28, P = 0.018) or healthy controls (6.96 +/- 2.36, P = 0.003). Moreover, these were inversely correlated with adiponectin, an adipocytokine with insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, immunohistochemistry of glyceraldehyde-derived AGE showed intense staining in the livers of NASH patients. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that the sustained increase of glyceraldehyde-derived AGE could at least in part contribute to the pathogenesis of NASH. The serum glyceraldehyde-derived AGE level may be a useful biomarker for discriminating NASH from simple steatosis.

Anti-fibrogenic function of angiotensin II type 2 receptor in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contributes to fibrogenesis in a variety of organs. We recently showed that a lack of angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 (AT1) receptor activity reduces liver fibrosis. In this study, we investigated whether the Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor is implicated in the development of liver fibrosis. A comparison was made between AT2-receptor knockout (AT2KO) and wild type (WT) mice after 4 weeks of treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Fibrosis was assessed by Azan-Mallory staining and hepatic hydroxyproline (HP) content. The expression of fibrogenic mRNA was measured by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Liver fibrosis evaluated by regular histological analyses and immunohistochemical alpha-SMA staining was observed in both groups of mice. The extent of fibrosis was greatest in the AT2KO mice. Fibrosis was associated with increases in hepatic HP content and mRNA expression for TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA, as well as an increase in hepatic TBARS. These findings suggest that CCl4 induces oxidative stress which leads to activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). These changes were considerably more pronounced in the AT2KO mice than the WT mice. Taken together, we conclude that AT2 signal has anti-fibrogenic and/or cytoprotective effects on oxidative stress-induced liver fibrosis. We therefore suggest that RAS-associated liver fibrogenesis may be determined by the balance between AT1 and AT2 signals.