慢性乙肝肝硬化患者肝性脑病不同分级与肝脏储备功能的相关性

回顾性研究分析慢性乙肝肝硬化并发不同分级的肝性脑病（HE）患者的临床特点,探究影响HE患者预后的因素。

将380例HE患者根据临床症状进行分级,分为1～4级。分析各级HE患者的性别、年龄、实验室检查情况、终末期肝病模型（MELD）、谷草转氨酶与血小板计数比值（APRI）及白蛋白与总胆红素比值（ALBI）。采用Spearman相关性分析轻、重型HE的影响因素,并使用多因素Logistic回归法分析HE预后的影响因素,最后选用ROC曲线来评估各种独立变量对HE预后的预测价值。

1～4级HE患者组间性别、年龄差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）,而血氨、MELD、APRI和ALB差异均有统计学差异（均P＜0.05）。轻、重型HE患者中性粒细胞计数和淋巴细胞计数的比值（NLR）、血氨、总胆红素（TBil）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、MELD、APRI及ALBI差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。相关性分析显示,NLR、PLR、血氨、TBIL、ALT、AST及TNF-α是重型HE的独立影响因素。血氨及MELD评分与肝脏储备功能的相关性最高。NLR、血氨、TBil、TNF-α、高MELD评分及合并电解质紊乱均为HE预后的独立影响因素。ROC曲线分析显示,NLR的曲线下面积最大,其灵敏度最高、特异度也最大。

MELD、APRI和ALBI可用来评估不同分级HE患者的肝脏储备功能。在轻、重型HE中,血氨及MELD评分影响最大。在评估预后影响因素中,NLR水平可作为HE患者预后不良的危险因素。

     

跨膜蛋白CD82在流感病毒感染初期的表达

了解细胞跨膜蛋白CD82在流感病毒感染初期的表达变化,分析CD82在流感病毒感染中的作用。

采用逆转录−聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）方法对流感病毒感染4 h内的HEP-2细胞中CD82蛋白mRNA表达量进行检测。

流感病毒感染HEP-2细胞后1 h−3 h细胞 CD82的mRNA表达量降低,并且随着流感病毒接种量增加CD82表达量降低持续时间延长。

流感病毒可以在转录水平调节宿主细胞CD82的表达。CD82在流感病毒感染初期表达下降,提示CD82可能在流感病毒与宿主细胞粘附和入侵过程中发挥作用。

     

益生菌高活菌酸奶联合肠内营养对肝纤维化患者的辅助治疗效果观察

比较观察两种微生态制剂联合肠内营养(EN)对肝纤维化患者的营养效果及肝功能的改善情况。

选择104例通过瞬时弹性成像技术(TE)排除肝硬化的慢性肝病患者, 并且营养风险筛查2002评分(NRS2002)≥3分, 按入院顺序随机数字表法分成观察组(益生菌高活菌数酸奶+EN)54例和对照组(金双歧+EN)50例。两组患者入院后24 h内开始启动肠内营养治疗, 观察组每日补充高活菌益生菌酸奶, 对照组给予肠内营养液加金双歧口服。对比3周后两组患者胃肠道情况、炎性指标、肝功能各项指标、肝纤维化改善程度及营养状况。

观察组与对照组患者在使用益生菌制剂3周后, 胃肠道症状均有改善, 其中观察组恶心、呕吐、腹胀的改善较对照组恢复程度更好(P < 0.05), 腹泻、便秘的缓解两组差异不大(P > 0.05)。通过血浆炎性指标分析, 观察组IL-1β、TNF-α下降较对照组明显(P < 0.05), 血清ALT、AST、GGT、ALP较治疗前降低明显, 与对照组相比血清ALT、GGT、ALP的改善较好, 差异均具有统计学意义(P < 0.05)。在治疗3周后, 肝纤维化指标结果显示, 观察组与对照组血清LN、Ⅳ-C水平均有下降, 观察组下降更为显著(P < 0.05), 但两组患者HA、PC-Ⅲ水平治疗前后均改变不明显, 与入院前相比差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05)。随着肝功能的纠正和肠内营养治疗, 肝脏合成蛋白的能力增强, 两组患者营养不良均有改善, 治疗3周后, 其中观察组血清ALB的提高较对照组显著, 差异有统计学意义(P < 0.05)。

长期服用益生菌酸奶有助于改善慢性肝病患者肠道微生态环境, 对早期肝脏纤维化有一定改善, 但是否有逆转肝纤维化的作用仍需大样本研究。

     

老年患者术后脓毒血症预后影响因素分析

探讨发病原因及感染等因素对老年患者术后发生脓毒血症病情及预后的评估价值。

收集2019年1月—2021年11月外科重症监护室术后发生脓毒血症的老年患者92例,以生存结局分为死亡组和存活组,通过比较两组患者术前、术后身体质量指数（BMI）、血清总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（Alb）、C−反应蛋白（CRP）、降钙素原（PCT）、B型利钠肽（BNP）、乳酸和D−二聚体（D-D）等指标差异,采用多因素logistic回归分析分析影响术后脓毒血症预后的危险因素,并绘制受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）,计算ROC曲线下面积（AUC）。

两组老年患者合并的基础疾病中,消化系统疾病引发脓毒血症的死亡率高于其他系统疾病（P＜0.05）。存活组与死亡组术前血清TP、Alb、CRP、PCT、BNP、乳酸和D-D与术后比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。术后存活组与死亡组比较,血清乳酸、Alb、PCT、D-D和BNP差异均有统计学意义（P＞0.05）。多因素回归分析发现乳酸和BNP是影响术后脓毒血症死亡的危险因素,AUC分别为0.879和0.858。

血清乳酸和BNP与老年术后发生脓毒血症严重程度密切相关,对判断预后具有一定参考价值。老年患者术前的慢性病防治与消化系统疾病早发现、早期手术干预是老年患者规避重症感染的关键,对改善老年患者术后临床结局至关重要。

     

鼠李糖乳酪杆菌RH0121冻干工艺优化及降血糖作用的研究

优化鼠李糖乳酪杆菌（Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus）RH0121的冻干工艺,探究其辅助降血糖作用。

通过单因素试验和响应面试验,优化鼠李糖乳酪杆菌RH0121冻干粉的生产工艺;同时利用小鼠实验,探究服用冻干粉后小鼠的体质量、口服葡萄糖耐量和血清生化指标水平的变化。

优化后的工艺为发酵时间9 h,发酵温度37 ℃,接种量4%,冻干时间50 h。经验证,冻干粉活菌数为5.5×10¹¹ CFU/g。灌胃冻干粉样品后的小鼠体质量缓慢回升,小鼠灌胃后120 min血糖水平低于灌胃前（P＜0.05）。灌胃后,样品组小鼠血清TC、TG、LDL和TNF-α水平均低于模型组,INS水平高于模型组（均P＜0.05）。

鼠李糖乳酪杆菌RH0121具有辅助降血糖作用,可为开发其他降血糖产品提供原料。

     

双歧杆菌制剂对肿瘤化疗患者肠道菌群影响的Meta分析

探讨双歧杆菌制剂对肿瘤化疗患者肠道菌群的影响。

通过检索PubMed、Embase、The Cochrane Library、Web of Science以及CBM、CNKI、WanFang Data和VIP数据库,收集各数据库从建库至2022年7月发表的所有关于肿瘤化疗患者应用双歧杆菌制剂的随机对照试验,由2名研究者独立筛选文献,按照系统评价的要求对文献质量进行评估,使用Revman 5.4和Stata 17.0统计学软件进行Meta分析。

共纳入25篇文献（2 152例患者）,Meta分析结果显示,双歧杆菌制剂组患者肠道中双歧杆菌和乳杆菌的数量高于对照组[SMD = 2.89,95% CI（2.28,3.49）,P＜0.001;SMD = 2.20,95% CI（1.57,2.84）,P＜0.001],双歧杆菌制剂组患者肠道中大肠埃希菌、肠杆菌和肠球菌的数量低于对照组[SMD = −1.08,95% CI（−1.64,−0.52）,P＜0.001;SMD = −0.88,95% CI（−1.58,−0.17）,P = 0.010;SMD = −0.98,95% CI（−1.68,−0.28）,P = 0.006]。

在化疗的基础上添加双歧杆菌制剂对肠道主要菌群水平能起到显著的改善作用,降低不良反应发生率,值得在临床上推广及应用。

     

肠道菌群与路易体痴呆的相关性研究

探讨路易体痴呆（DLB）患者的肠道菌群组成及相关性。

选取2021年1月—2023年8月在温州市中西医结合医院招募的17例DLB患者和招募的21名健康对照者（HC）,分别设为DLB组和HC组。DLB患者通过简易智能状态检查量表（MMSE）、日常生活活动能力（ADL）量表、统一帕金森病评定量表第三部分（UPDRSⅢ）评估病情。采用16S rRNA基因测序比较两组肠道菌群组成的异同。菌群特征和DLB病情严重程度的相关性分析采用Spearman相关性分析。

两组间性别、年龄、受教育时间差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,DLB组MMSE评分、ADL评分、UPDRSⅢ评分与HC组相比,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.001）。与HC组相比,DLB组肠道菌群菌种多样性降低（P＜0.05）,粪杆菌属相对丰度下降,埃希−志贺菌属、链球菌属、Ligilactobacillus相对丰度升高（P＜0.05）。粪杆菌属的相对丰度与MMSE评分呈正相关（r=0.405,P＜0.001）,与病程和UPDRSⅢ呈负相关（r= −0.238,P=0.019）;埃希−志贺菌属与病程和UPDRSⅢ呈正相关（r=0.263,P=0.008）,与MMSE评分和ADL评分呈负相关（r= −0.290,P=0.003）。

DLB患者肠道菌群结构发生改变,肠道菌群失调可能在DLB的发生发展中发挥重要作用。

     

发酵乳对肝硬化失代偿期患者肠黏膜屏障功能的影响

观察发酵乳在改善肝硬化失代偿期患者肠黏膜屏障功能、肝功能及提高患者生活质量方面的作用。

选择我院78例确诊为肝硬化失代偿期的患者,随机分成对照组和发酵乳组,其中对照组42例,发酵乳组36例。对照组患者给予常规综合治疗,发酵乳组在常规综合治疗的基础上给予口服发酵乳治疗,在治疗前及治疗4周后分别检测并比较两组患者肠黏膜屏障功能、血清白蛋白、血浆氨水平及慢性肝病问卷评分（CLDQ）的变化。

治疗前两组患者肠屏障功能、血清白蛋白、氨水平及CLDQ评分差异无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。治疗4周后,发酵乳组患者血清内毒素、血清二胺氧化酶、D-乳酸及血浆氨水平较治疗前显著降低,较对照组治疗后亦降低（均P＜0.05）。发酵乳组患者血清白蛋白水平及部分CLDQ评分较治疗前显著升高,较对照组治疗后亦升高（均P＜0.05）。

在常规综合治疗的基础上加用发酵乳可调节肝硬化失代偿期患者肠道菌群,改善肠黏膜屏障功能,从而保护肝脏功能,提高患者生活质量。

     

基于高通量测序分析哮喘小鼠呼吸道菌群的变化

通过高通量测序分析哮喘模型小鼠呼吸道菌群的变化情况。

将12只SPF级BALB/c雄性小鼠随机分为对照组和模型组, 每组6只。采用卵清蛋白致敏方法建立哮喘小鼠模型后, 进行支气管组织切片病理学观察, ELISA法检测血清IgE水平, 测定肺指数, 采集咽拭子后提取DNA行高通量测序分析。

与对照组比较, 模型组小鼠血清IgE水平明显升高(P < 0.05), 肺指数明显上升(P < 0.05), 可见支气管上皮粘膜有水肿, 少量淋巴细胞浸润, 平滑肌增生。模型组小鼠呼吸道菌群与对照组比较, 菌种丰度升高, 厚壁菌门较对照组减少(P < 0.05), 放线菌门和变形菌门增多(P < 0.05), 菌群结构有明显差异。

哮喘小鼠存在呼吸道微生态菌群失衡。

     

PPAR-γ激动剂吡格列酮对大剂量顺铂所致小鼠肠道微生态失调的影响

利用大剂量顺铂（DDP）诱导小鼠急性肾功能衰竭模型,研究吡格列酮对DDP所致小鼠肠道微生态的影响及其机制。

昆明种小鼠,依性别、体重随机分组：DDP组、DDP+吡格列酮组、对照组,每组10只。每日观察小鼠的体重、记录粪便数量等,并进行粪便涂片检查。DDP用药后3 d,分别取各组小鼠称重后乙醚麻醉,内眦静脉取血;分别取空肠、回肠末段、升结肠上段内容物进行细菌涂片检查。生化法检测血清尿素氮（BUN）、尿酸（UA）、丙二醛（MDA）的水平,并对数据进行统计学分析。

DDP用药后3 d,小鼠回肠、结肠内G⁺菌与G⁻菌比值均显著低于对照组小鼠。吡格列酮可明显增加DDP用药后小鼠回肠、结肠内G⁺菌与G⁻菌比值。DDP组小鼠外周血BUN、UA和MDA水平明显高于对照组小鼠,差异具有统计学意义;DDP+吡格列酮组小鼠其水平明显低于DDP组小鼠。

大剂量DDP可导致小鼠肠内菌群比例失衡;吡格列酮可能通过抑制小鼠体内氧化应激、进而减轻DDP所致的小鼠肾损伤和肠内菌群失衡。

     

The Diagnostic Accuracy and Clinical Utility of Three Noninvasive Models for Predicting Liver Fibrosis in Patients with HBV Infection

AimTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the fibrosis index based on the four factors (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase -to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and aspartate aminotransferase–alanine aminotransferase ratio index (AAR) for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with HBV infection.MethodsFrom January 2006 to December 2010,a total of 1543 consecutive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients who underwent liver biopsies were enrolled. FIB-4,APRI, and AAR were calculated.The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) were calculated to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these models.The AUROCs of these models were compared by DeLong’s test.For further comparisons in different studies,the AUROCs were adjusted to conduct Adjusted AUROCs(ADjAUROCs) according to the prevalence of fibrosis stages using the difference between advanced and nonadvanced fibrosis (DANA).ResultsFor prediction of significant fibrosis,severe fibrosis,and cirrhosis,the AUROCs of FIB-4 were 0.646(ADjAUROC 0.717),0.670(ADjAUROC 0.741), and 0.715(ADjAUROC 0.786) respectively;whereas it were 0.656(ADjAUROC 0.727),0.653(ADjAUROC 0.724) and 0.639(ADjAUROC 0.710) for APRI, 0.498(ADjAUROC 0.569),0.548(ADjAUROC 0.619) and 0.573(ADjAUROC 0.644) for AAR. The further comparisons demonstrated that there were no significant differences of AUROCs between FIB-4 and APRI in predicting significant and severe fibrosis(P > 0.05),while FIB-4 was superior to APRI in predicting cirrhosis(P < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of FIB-4 and APRI in patients with normal alanine aminotransferase(ALT) were higher than that in patients with elevated ALT.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that FIB-4 and APRI are useful for diagnosis of fibrosis. FIB-4 and APRI have similar diagnostic accuracy in predicting significant and severe fibrosis,while FIB-4 is superior to APRI in predicting cirrhosis. The clinical utility of FIB-4 and APRI for fibrosis need further external validation in a large population before it was used for prediction of fibrosis in patients with HBV infection.     

Serum Ceruloplasmin Levels Correlate Negatively with Liver Fibrosis in Males with Chronic Hepatitis B: A New Noninvasive Model for Predicting Liver Fibrosis in HBV-Related Liver Disease

Aims

This study aimed to investigate associations between ceruloplasmin (CP) levels, inflammation grade and fibrosis stages in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and to establish a noninvasive model to predict cirrhosis.

Methods

Liver biopsy samples and sera were collected from 198 CHB patients randomized into a training group (n=109) and a validation group (n=89). CP levels were determined using nephelometric immunoassays. Relationships between CP and liver inflammation and fibrosis were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of CP for determining liver fibrosis in CHB. The liver pathology-predictive model was built using multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify relevant indicators.

Results

CP levels were lower in males than in females, lower in patients with inflammation stage G4 compared to other stages and lower in cirrhotic compared to non-cirrhotic patients. Using area under the curve (AUC) values, CP levels distinguished different stages of inflammation and fibrosis. Multivariate analysis showed that CP levels were all significantly associated with cirrhosis in males. A model was developed combining routine laboratory markers APPCI (alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], prothrombin time, and platelets [PLT] with CP) to predict fibrosis in CHB patients. The APPCI had a significantly greater AUC than FIB-4 (aspartate aminotransferase [AST]/ alanine aminotransferase [ALT]/PLT/age), APRI (AST/PLT ratio index), GPI (globin/PLT), and APGA (AST/PLT/gammaglutamyl transpeptidase [GGT]) models (all P-values<0.001).

Conclusions

CP levels correlate negatively and indirectly with inflammation and fibrosis stages in male CHB patients. The APPCI model uses routine laboratory variables with CP to accurately predict liver fibrosis in CHB.     

大鼠肝纤维化病理分期与肝纤维化血清标志物相关性研究

目的：研究肝纤维化病理组织学分期与血清纤维化标志物门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）与血小板（PLT）比值指数（APRI）、透明质酸（HA）及基质金属蛋白酶抑制物（TIMP-1）的相关性,以探讨非创伤性检测血清蛋白和联合分析血清纤维化标志物的诊断价值。方法：将75只成年健康的SD大鼠采用改良式复合因素法构建大鼠肝纤维化模型,分别在5、6个周后,进行大鼠肝脏穿刺活检病理学组织检查,HE、Masson染色后进行病理组织学分期,同时检测大鼠血清门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）与血小板（PLT）比值指数（APRI）、透明质酸（HA）及基质金属蛋白酶抑制物（TIMP-1）水平。结果：肝脏组织病理学检查发现肝纤维化的分期与炎症活动程度呈明显的正相关（P〈0.05）。而对于区分显著肝纤维化（≥S2）血清标志物指标诊断纤维化的ROC曲线分析发现,HA、TIMP-1、APRI曲线下面积分别为0.921、0.732、0.905。HA＋APRI联合诊断灵敏度为84.1%,特异度为91.2%。TIMP-1＋APRI联合诊断灵敏度为83.2%,特异度为91.7%。结论：利用检测血清纤维化标志物这种对患者无创的检测方法虽不能完全取代病理学活检,但预测肝纤维具有一定的诊断价值,当联合分析两种血清纤维化标志物时,灵敏度和特异度都比单独分析一种标志物要高。     

Relationship of serum adiponectin and resistin levels with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BackgroundRecent research has closely linked adipocytokines to liver inflammation and fibrosis progression in patients with non-alcoholic liver disease. This study aimed to determine the relationship of serum adiponectin and resistin levels with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), depending on the duration of antiviral therapy.MethodsThe cross-sectional study included 75 patients with CHB divided into two groups: the T1 group (undergoing antiviral therapy for up to 2 years) and the T2 group (undergoing antiviral therapy over 2 years). The control group consisted of 40 healthy people. Serum concentrations of adiponectin and resistin were estimated with the ELISA method, while the degree of liver fibrosis was determined using FIB-4 and APRI score.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in the mean serum adiponectin levels in relation to the duration of antiviral therapy. Higher values of serum resistin concentration were confirmed in patients of the T1 group compared to healthy controls (p=0.001) and to the T2 group (p=0.031). The mean level of serum resistin concentration was significantly higher in the group of patients with a higher FIB-4 score (9.12±3.39 vs 5.58±3.36 ng/mL, p=0.001) and higher APRI score (17.45±3.96 ng/mL vs 4.82±1.11 ng/mL, p=0.001). A positive correlation was found between serum resistin levels and the degree of liver fibrosis (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between mean serum adiponectin levels according to the values of FIB-4 and APRI scores.ConclusionsProgression of liver fibrosis estimated by FIB4 and APRI scores as well as the length of antiviral treatment had a significant effect on serum resistin values in CHB patients on antiviral therapy.     

超声弹性成像评价肝纤维化程度的探讨

目的:运用实时组织弹性成像(RTE)对肝脏弹性图像进行评分,并通过与实验室指标的比较,探讨RTE评分诊断肝纤维化程度的可行性与准确性。方法:选取我院收治的慢性病毒性肝炎患者90例作为研究对象,行RTE以及肝功能、血常规和凝血五项等实验室检查,随后肝活检获得病理学证据。比较RTE评分与实验室指标诊断肝纤维化程度的准确性。结果:90例患者中,S0期21例,S1期31例,S2期31例,S3期20例,S4期7例。RTE评分与肝纤维化程度呈正相关(r=0.79,P<0.05)。同样,门冬氨酸氨基转移酶/血小板比例指数(APRI)与肝纤维化程度也呈正相关(r=0.57,P<0.05)。RTE评分只与APRI呈相关性(r=0.667,P=0.000)。RTE评分诊断明显肝纤维化的敏感度为94.31%、特异度为78.65%、准确率为85.22%、阳性预测值为76.63%、阴性预测值为94.58%,均高于APRI。结论:实时组织弹性成像技术在诊断肝纤维化方面有广泛的临床研究价值和前景。     

Progression of Liver Fibrosis in HIV/HCV Co-Infection: A Comparison between Non-Invasive Assessment Methods and Liver Biopsy

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of seven non-invasive tests (NITs) of liver fibrosis and to assess fibrosis progression over time in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

Methods

Transient elastography (TE) and six blood tests were compared to histopathological fibrosis stage (METAVIR). Participants were followed over three years with NITs at yearly intervals.

Results

Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for significant fibrosis (> = F2) in 105 participants was highest for TE (0.85), followed by FIB-4 (0.77), ELF-Test (0.77), APRI (0.76), Fibrotest (0.75), hyaluronic acid (0.70), and Hepascore (0.68). AUROC for cirrhosis (F4) was 0.97 for TE followed by FIB-4 (0.91), APRI (0.89), Fibrotest (0.84), Hepascore (0.82), ELF-Test (0.82), and hyaluronic acid (0.79). A three year follow-up was completed by 87 participants, all on antiretroviral therapy and in 20 patients who completed HCV treatment (9 with sustained virologic response). TE, APRI and Fibrotest did not significantly change during follow-up. There was weak evidence for an increase of FIB-4 (mean increase: 0.22, p = 0.07). 42 participants had a second liver biopsy: Among 38 participants with F0-F3 at baseline, 10 were progessors (1-stage increase in fibrosis, 8 participants; 2-stage, 1; 3-stage, 1). Among progressors, mean increase in TE was 3.35 kPa, in APRI 0.36, and in FIB-4 0.75. Fibrotest results did not change over 3 years.

Conclusion

TE was the best NIT for liver fibrosis staging in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. APRI-Score, FIB-4 Index, Fibrotest, and ELF-Test were less reliable. Routinely available APRI and FIB-4 performed as good as more expensive tests. NITs did not change significantly during a follow-up of three years, suggesting slow liver disease progression in a majority of HIV/HCV co-infected persons on antiretroviral therapy.     

Hyaluronic acid and chondroitin-4-sulphate treatment reduces damage in carbon tetrachloride-induced acute rat liver injury

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of chemically mediated liver injury. Since glycosaminoglycans possess antioxidant activity, the aim of this work was to assess the protective effects of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin-4-sulphate treatment in a model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury. Liver damage was induced in male rats by an intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (1 ml/kg in vegetal oil). Serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, hepatic malondialdehyde, plasma TNF-alpha, hepatic reduced glutathione and catalase, and myeloperoxidase, an index of polymorphonuclear infiltration in the jeopardised hepatic tissue, were evaluated 24 h after carbon tetrachloride administration. Carbon tetrachloride produced a marked increase in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, primed lipid peroxidation, enhanced plasma TNF-alpha levels, induced a severe depletion of reduced glutathione and catalase, and promoted neutrophil accumulation. Intraperitoneal treatment of rats with hyaluronic acid (25 mg/kg) or chondroitin-4-sulphate (25 mg/kg) failed to exert any effect in the considered parameter, while the combination treatment with both glycosaminoglycans (12,5 + 12,5 mg/kg) decreased the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, inhibited lipid peroxidation by reducing hepatic malondialdehyde, reduced plasma TNF-alpha, restored the endogenous antioxidants, and finally decreased myeloperoxidase activity. These results suggest that hyaluronic acid and chondroitin-4-sulphate possess a different antioxidant mechanism and consequently the combined administration of both glycosaminoglycans exerts a synergistic effect with respect to the single treatment.     

Ultrasound versus biological markers in the evaluation of periportal fibrosis in human Schistosoma mansoni

In this paper, the authors review the literature and share their experience of the principal biological markers of fibrosis for the evaluation of periportal fibrosis (PPF) caused by mansoni schistosomiasis. These biological markers are compared to diagnostic ultrasound (US) scans as means of grading PPF. We also review procollagen type I and III, collagen type IV, laminin, hyaluronic acid (HA), immunoglobulin G, platelets, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase as markers of the disease. Although there are several good markers for evaluating PPF and portal hypertension, such as HA, platelets or APRI, none can yet replace US. These markers may, however, be used to identify patients at greater risk of developing advanced disease in endemic areas and determine who will need further care and US studies.     

RDW to Platelet Ratio: A Novel Noninvasive Index for Predicting Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis B

Objective

To develop a simple predictive model for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) using the routine hematological parameters of a complete blood count.

Methods

A total of 458 eligible CHB patients who had undergone a liver biopsy were randomly divided into two cohorts: an estimation group (n = 310) and a validation group (n = 148). Liver histology was assessed according to the Metavir scoring scheme. All common demographics, hematological parameters, HBeAg status, HBV DNA, and liver biochemistry were analyzed.

Results

Based on routinely available clinical parameters (age, sex, HBeAg status, HBV DNA, common hematological parameters of a complete blood cell count), a model for predicting significant fibrosis (Metavir score ≥2) in the estimation group was derived using platelets and red cell distribution width (RDW), and another model for predicting cirrhosis (Metavir score = 4) was derived using platelets, RDW and hemoglobin. A novel index, the RDW to platelet ratio (RPR), was developed to amplify the opposing effects of liver fibrosis on the RDW and platelets. The AUCs of the RPR for predicting significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were 0.825 and 0.884, respectively, which is superior to the AAR, FIB-4 and APRI in the estimation group. Compared with the two derived models, the RPR has a comparable predictive power for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. Using optimized cutoffs (0.10 and 0.16), the RPR accurately predicted 63.1% of cases with significant fibrosis and 73.7% of cases with cirrhosis and accurately excluded 85.5% of the cases with mild fibrosis and 93.0% of the cases with no cirrhosis.

Conclusion

The RPR, a routinely available, inexpensive and easily calculated index, can predict significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in CHB patients with relatively high accuracy. The application of this index may reduce the need for liver biopsy in CHB patients.