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Background: Probiotics, like Lactobacillus plantarum, show promise in managing obesity, but delivery challenges hinder their effectiveness. This study explores the effects of NCAP microcapsules with L. plantarum on weight, lipids, liver function, and insulin in rats over eight weeks, enhancing the bacteria's survivability through microencapsulation. Results: NCAP microcapsules (10-15 µm, >79% survival) effectively protected L. plantarum. In rats, a high-fat diet with NCAP microcapsules (HFDC) significantly reduced body weight (176 g vs 179 g, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (33 mg/dL vs 44 mg/dL, p < 0.001), and improved liver markers (aspartate transaminase 56 U/L vs 69 U/L, p = 0.008; alanine transaminase 36 U/L vs 38 U/L, p < 0.001). L. plantarum counts were notably higher in HFDC (870,963,590 CFU/g vs 14,454 CFU/g, p < 0.001). Conclusions: NCAP microcapsules enhance L. plantarum survivability and improve weight, lipids, liver function, and insulin. This study addresses the need for effective probiotic delivery systems, offering insights into metabolic health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute poisoning is a frequently encountered medical emergency in the emergency room, typically resulting from the incorrect use of drugs or pesticides, and is characterized by sudden onset of severe symptoms, often leading to fatalities. This research was to explore the effect of hemoperfusion first aid process reengineering on electrolyte disturbance, liver function and prognosis in patients with acute poisoning. From August 2019 to July 2021, 137 patients with acute poisoning who received first aid process reengineering were selected as the observation group, and 151 patients with acute poisoning who received routine first aid were selected as the control group. The success rate, first aid-related indicators, electrolyte, liver function, and prognosis and survival were recorded after first aid treatment. The observation group had a 100% effective rate on the third day of first aid, which was significantly higher than the control group (91.39%). The observation group also had shorter time for emesis induction, poisoning assessment, venous transfusion, consciousness recovery, opening of the blood purification circuit, and start of hemoperfusion than the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the observation group showed lower levels of alpionine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen after treatment, and a significantly lower mortality rate (6.57%) than the control group (26.28%) (P < 0.05). Hemoperfusion first aid process reengineering in patients with acute poisoning can improve the success rate of first aid, shorten the time of first aid, improve the electrolyte disturbance, treatment effect, liver function and blood routine of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the effects of palmitoleic acid (POA) consumption on liver function, intestinal microbiota, and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels in the serum of mice treated with 3% L-carnitine drinking water. The purpose was to highlight the impact of POA on liver injury associated with high L-carnitine intake. Methods: A correlation analysis was carried out. The physiological and biochemical results showed that the administration of POA could alleviate liver injury induced by high L-carnitine ingestion, as reflected by a reduction in liver function indices (ALT, AST, AKP, and TBA activities) and modulation of antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, and RAHFR). The study also monitored the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Additionally, to assess the impact of POA on intestinal microbiota, we conducted a 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing analysis. Results: The findings indicated that POA administration resulted in lower levels of TMAO in treated mice. Furthermore, POA could regulate the composition of intestinal microbiota in L-carnitine mice, particularly affecting Bacteroides vulgatus, Parabacteroides distasonis, Alistipes shahii, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Parasutterella secunda, which were closely related to liver injury. Conclusions: In summary, POA could repair liver damage caused by high intake of L-carnitine by regulating the distribution of intestinal flora and subsequently decreasing serum TMAO levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Methods Results Conclusions To investigate the factors associated with interoception in patients with alcohol use disorder and determine whether treatment causes changes in their interoception.The Body Perception Questionnaire‐Body Awareness ultra‐short version Japanese version (BPQ‐BAVSF‐J) was used to measure interoception in 50 alcohol‐dependent participants (27 in the inpatient group and 23 in the outpatient group). The BPQ‐BAVSF‐J was administered and data on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GTP), mean corpuscular volume, platelet count, and Fib‐4 index were extracted at admission and immediately before discharge for the inpatient group and at the first outpatient visit and approximately 3 months after the visit for the outpatient group.The mean age of the 50 participants was 51.0 ± 12.3 years. Significant associations were found between the BPQ‐BAVSF‐J and Fib‐4 index and AST. The BPQ‐BAVSF‐J score significantly decreased at discharge in the inpatient group. AST, ALT, γ‐GTP, and Fib‐4 index of liver function were also significantly lower at discharge. In contrast, in the outpatient group, there were no significant changes in the BPQ‐BAVSF‐J score, AST level, ALT level, γ‐GTP level, and Fib‐4 index between at the first outpatient visit and approximately 3 months after the visit.Interoception in patients with alcohol use disorder increased with worsening liver function and decreased with improvement in liver function owing to treatment. This suggests that the BPQ‐BAVSF‐J score, an easily accessible scale, may be used to detect early deterioration of liver function through regular administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by a painful vaso-occlusive crisis due to the sickling of red blood cells in capillaries. Complications often lead to liver and renal dysfunctions, contributing to morbidity and mortality, particularly for children under 5. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the liver and renal functions of people with SCD (HbSS) compared to those without it (HbAA) in Africa. Methods: The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022346771). We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the keywords "liver function", "renal function", "sickle cell disease", and "Africa" on 6th May 2023 for peer-reviewed articles with abstracts in English. We included case-control studies comparing SCD (HbSS) with controls without hemoglobinopathies (HbAA). We used the random-effect model to calculate the pooled average values for the blood tests of people with SCD in RStudio version 4.2.2. Results: Overall, 17 articles were analyzed from five African countries involving 1312 people with SCD and 1558 controls. The pooled mean difference of liver enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST) was 8.62 (95% CI − 2.99–20.23, I2 = 97.0%, p < 0.01), alanine transaminase (ALT) 7.82 (95% CI − 0.16–15.80, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) − 2.54 (95% CI − 64.72 – 59.64, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01) compared to controls. The pooled mean difference for the renal biochemical profiles creatinine − 3.15 (95% CI − 15.02; 8.72, I2=99%, p < 0.01) with a funnel plot asymmetry of t = 1.09, df = 9, p = 0.3048 and sample estimates bias of 6.0409. The pooled mean difference for serum urea was − 0.57 (95% CI − 3.49; 2.36, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01), and the estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate was 19.79 (95% CI 10.89–28.68 mL/min/1.73 m2, I2 = 87%, p < 0.01) compared to controls. Conclusion: People with SCD have slightly elevated liver enzymes and estimated glomerular filtration rates compared to controls in Africa. With all the heterogeneity (I2) > 50%, there was substantial variation in the reported articles' results. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42022346771 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Crab-flavored seafood is a well-known traditional Japanese product that is sold as "imitation crab" worldwide. Although it is a low-cost, low-fat, high-protein food, there are few data on its potential health benefits. Here, we have assessed the effects of crab-flavored seafood consumption on organ weight and serum biomarkers levels in rats. Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats (male; aged 6 weeks) were fed a normal diet (n = 8) or a normal diet with 5% dried crab-flavored seafood (n = 8) for 84 days. Food intake and overall body weight were measured every week; organ weight and blood biochemistry were evaluated at the end of the administration period. Results: After 84 days, there were no significant differences in food intake, overall body weight, or organ weight between the 2 groups; however, the muscle weight of rats fed crab-flavored seafood tended to be higher than that of rats fed the normal diet. Several serum biomarkers did not differ between the 2 groups, but serum high-density lipoprotein, total bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin levels were significantly raised in rats fed crab-flavored seafood. Moreover, blood urea nitrogen was significantly lower, and some liver function parameters tended to be lower in rats fed crab-flavored seafood. Conclusions: Consumption of crab-flavored seafood may be effective for promoting muscle protein synthesis and improving serum biomarkers associated with disorders such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. Thus, crab-flavored seafood may have application as a functional food for the global management of human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the clinical effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) combined with common bile duct exploration in the treatment of elderly patients with cholecystolithiasis and common bile duct stones (CCWC) and its influence on liver function and inflammatory stress response. Methods Eighty-six elderly patients with CCWC were divided into two groups according to different surgical methods, with 43 cases in each group. There were no differences in clinical baseline data between the two groups, such as gender, age, BMI, course of disease, ASA classification, maximum stone diameter and common bile duct diameter. Patients in the observation group was treated with LC combined with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE), while patients in the control group were treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)/ESC combined with LC. The perioperative conditions (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative exhaust time, and hospitalization time) and clinical efficacy (incidence of complications, residual rate of stones and recurrence rate) of the two groups were observed. Serum total bilirubin (TBil), aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), tumor cell necrosis factor- α（TNF- α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected before and 3 days after operation. Results Compared with the control group, the operation time, postoperative exhaust time and hospitalization time in the observation group were shortened, and the amount of bleeding during the operation was reduced, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P<0. 05). There were no significant differences in stone residual rate or recurrence rate between the two groups (both P>0. 05). The recurrence rate was lower in the observation group than in the control group, with statistically significant difference between the two groups (P< 0. 05). The serum TBil, AST and ALT levels decreased, and serum TNF-α, CRP, IL-6, Cor and NE levels increased in the two groups at three days after operation in comparison with those before operation (all P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, the serum levels of TNF-α, CRP, IL-6, Cor and NE in the observation group decreased at three days after operation (all P<0. 05). Conclusions The calculi removal effect of LC+LCBDE and ERCP/ESC+LC in the treatment of CCWC in the elderly patients is similar, and both can improve liver function. However, LC+LCBDE has fewer postoperative complications, and less impact on inflammation and stress response in elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the causal association of liver function and lipid metabolism levels with sleep disorders based on the Mendelian randomization analysis. Methods The analysis was conducted using the data from genome-wide association studies, with the exposure factors of liver function and lipid metabolism levels (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT], albumin [Alb], serum total protein [TP], total bilirubin [TBil], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], triglyceride [TG], triglyceride-to-glycerol-3-phosphate [TG/G3P] ratio, total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], poly-unsaturated fatty acids [PUFA], total fatty acids [TFA], PUFA/TFA ratio) and the outcome factor of sleep disorders (nonorganic) . The regression models including inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, Simple mode, weighted median, and Weighted mode were used to perform the Mendelian randomization analysis. Results Serum Alb (odds ratio [OR] =0.728, 95% confidence interval [CI] : 0.535 — 0.989, P<0.05), HDL-C (OR=0.879, 95%CI: 0.784 — 0.986, P< 0.05), and PUFA/TFA ratio (OR=0.800, 95%CI: 0.642—0.998, P<0.05) were negatively associated with sleep disorders, while TG/G3P ratio (OR=1.222, 95%CI: 1.044—1.431, P<0.05) was positively associated with sleep disorders. The results of Mendelian randomization did not show a causal association of ALT, AST, GGT, TP, TBil, ALP, TG, TC, LDL-C, PUFA, and TFA with sleep disorders (all P>0.05) . The results of the MR-Egger intercept test showed no pleiotropy (P>0.05), and Mendelian randomization was a valid method for causal inference in this study. Conclusion According to the results of the Mendelian randomization analysis, liver function and lipid metabolism show significant association with sleep disorders. Liver function and lipid metabolism can be used as indicators for predicting the risk of sleep disorders and performing intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rising global temperatures due to climate change pose a health risk. Mortality and morbidity increase during heat events affects various organ systems. While warmer countries face higher risks, even colder regions show elevated mortality during hot periods. This study examines physiological responses to heat exposure using data from the general Danish population cohort Lolland–Falster Health Study (LOFUS) during the summers of 2016–2019. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we analysed health data from 3804 individuals aged ≥15 years. Data were analysed across organ systems: cardiovascular system, lung function, renal system, inflammation, coagulation, and liver function. Meteorological data from the Danish Meteorological Institute provided information on temperature and humidity. Heat exposure was defined as one day ≥28°C heat index the day prior to examination. Adjusted multiple linear regression was applied to analyse differences between the two groups. Results There were 46 of 368 days with temperatures ≥28°C heat index. In total, 396 participants were heat-exposed (exposure group), while 3408 constituted the unexposed group. Heat exposure was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (−3.82 mm Hg [−5.72; −1.93]), higher heart rate (1.71 beats/min [0.45; 2.98]), lower oxygen saturation (−0.28% [−0.45; −0.10]), higher sodium (0.56 mmol/l [0.33; 0.79]), and higher urine albumin (0.14 mg/l [0.02; 0.27]). No significant differences were observed in inflammation, coagulation, or liver function. Conclusion This study reveals early physiological responses to heat with one day of heat exposure ≥28°C, particularly in the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal systems. These findings underline the need for tailored strategies to mitigate health risks associated with rising temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal malignancy associated with cirrhosis and liver dysfunction. The aim of this study is to characterize a cohort of patients with advanced HCC according to liver function-related variables and evaluate the prognostic significance of Child-Pugh (CP) and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) scores. A database of 406 HCC patients treated between 2009 and 2023 was retrospectively evaluated. Clinical and laboratory parameters were collected to classify patients into ALBI and CP scores. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate models were used to evaluate prognosis prediction. In this cohort, 337 (83%) patients were classified as CP-A, while 69 (17%) as CP-B. Additionally, according to ALBI score, 159 (39.2%) individuals were categorised as ALBI-1, 233 (57.4%) as ALBI-2 and 14 (3.4%) as ALBI-3. A statistically significant association between both classifications was observed (p < 0.001). CP and ALBI scores were independently associated with prognosis (Hazard ratio = 2.93 and 1.66, respectively), with better survival for patients with CP-A (versus B) and ALBI-1 (versus -2 and -3). ALBI score showed better predictive performance versus CP (c Harrell´s C index = 0.65 versus 0.62; p = 0.008) and ALBI evolution during the first month of treatment was associated with overall survival. Additionally, ALBI score was able to define distinct prognostic subgroups within CP-A patients. In conclusion, liver function scores, such as ALBI and CP, have a clinically relevant prognostic role in patients with advanced HCC under systemic treatment. ALBI score is a more granular scoring scale than CP, and enables a more precise evaluation of patients with CP-A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on postoperative recovery of patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain given the lack of sufficient evidence. Aim: To investigate the impact of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on postoperative recovery of patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Patients who were pathologically diagnosed with HCC and underwent elective partial hepatectomy in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between January 2022 and April 2023 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. The patients were divided into two groups based on their history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Rehabilitation parameters, including postoperative liver function, incidence of complications, and hospitalization expenses, were compared between the two groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce confounding bias. Results: We included 172 patients (58 with and 114 without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection) who underwent liver resection for HCC. No significant differences in the rehabilitation parameters were observed between the two groups. After PSM, 58 patients were selected from each group to form the new comparative groups. Similar results were obtained within the population after PSM. Conclusion: Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection does not appear to affect postoperative rehabilitation, including liver function, postoperative complications, or hospitalization expenses among patients with HCC after elective partial hepatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The peripartum period constitutes a delicate physiological moment in mares showing a transient state of oxidative stress. Diet supplementation with antioxidants during pregnancy in women appears to have a beneficial effect on mother and neonate health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of diet supplementation with a commercial product containing a mix of antioxidants (Oxyliver®, Candioli) on the length of gestation, weight, and haemato-biochemical parameters in Italian Salernitano mares and their newborn foals. Eight late-term pregnant mares were randomly divided into two groups: Antiox group receiving 30 g/day of antioxidants, and Car group receiving the same amount of carrot powder, from 290 to 320 days of gestation. The following parameters were evaluated in mares: weight, colostrum composition, haemato-biochemical parameters, progesterone, and cortisol blood concentrations, along with blood oxidant/antioxidant status. Assessments were conducted at specific time points: immediately before the start of diet supplementation (T0), 15 days after (T1), at the end of diet supplementation (T2), within 8 h after parturition (T3), and 10 days post-partum (T4). Foal parameters such as weight, haemato-biochemical values, cortisol concentration, and blood oxidative stress variables were assessed within 8 h of birth (TF0) and at 10 days of age (TF1). Results: Pregnancy was shorter in the Antiox group (P < 0.05) compared with the Car group; the foals' weight increase of group Antiox (40%) was higher (P < 0.05) compared to those of the Car group (28.6%). The colostrum of the Antiox group exhibited higher levels of Brix, total solids, protein, nonfat solids, casein, urea, density, free fatty acids, and glucose, while lower levels of fat and lactose were observed compared to the Car group (P < 0.05). Mares' serum albumin at T1 and T3, creatinine, glucose, total proteins, total bilirubin, AST, and ALT at T3 were lower in Antiox than in the Car group. No significant differences were found in foals. Conclusions: While the limited sample size and the potential variability of evaluated parameters, the observed outcomes suggest that Oxyliver® supplementation in mares might safely decrease gestation length and enhance liver function, thus potentially improving colostrum quality and offspring development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Monitoring liver changes is crucial in the management of liver fibrosis. Current diagnostic methods include liver function tests such as the Liver Maximum Capacity (LiMAx) test and measurements of liver stiffness. While the LiMAx test quantifies liver function through 13C-methacetin metabolism, ultrasound (US) elastography noninvasively assesses liver stiffness. The relationship between the findings of these methods in patients with liver fibrosis is not fullyunderstood. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the correlation between LiMAx measurements of liver function and US elastography-based liver stiffness measurements to better understand the interplay between functional and structural liver parameters in fibrotic liver disease. Additionally, the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and these parameters isevaluated. METHODS: This retrospective study analysed data from 97 patients who underwent both LiMAx testing and real-time elastography, resulting in a total data set of 108 examinations. The correlations between the results of the LiMAx test and elastography and their relationships with body mass index (BMI) were analysed. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation (r = –0.25, p < 0.05) between LiMAx test values and liver stiffness measurements. BMI was significantly negatively correlated with LiMAx values (r = –0.29, p < 0.001) but not significantly correlated with liver stiffness values. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study confirms the results of previous studies showing a notable but weak association between liver function and liver stiffness. Our results highlight the potential value of both tests as complementary tools for the evaluation of liver health, reinforcing the necessity for a multimodal approach to liver assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), in combination with liver and kidney impairment, may result in adverse birth outcomes. From 408 women in the age range of 16 to 46 years, living in rural and urban areas in the interior of Suriname, we looked at the association between adverse birth outcomes and exposure to Hg and Pb in combination with liver and kidney function. This group of women represented a subcohort of pregnant women who participated in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH)—Meki Tamara study. Liver function was assessed by measuring aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Kidney function was assessed by measuring creatinine, urea, and cystatin C. We defined preterm births as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, low birthweight as birthweight < 2500 g, and low Apgar score as a score < 7 at 5 min, and these were used as indicators for adverse birth outcomes. Small size for gestational age was defined as gestational age < −2SD weight for GA. We found significant statistical associations between biomarkers for liver and kidney functions and adverse birth outcomes Apgar score and gestational age. No significant association was found between heavy metals Hg and lead and adverse birth outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the predictive value of immune inflammation combined with liver function hematological indicators for the metastasis of colorectal cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 133 patients with colorectal cancer was conducted. The patients were divided into three groups based on disease progression after 24 months of postoperative follow-up: non-metastasis group (n=38), liver metastasis group (n=43), and non-liver distant metastasis group (n=52). The immune inflammatory markers and liver function hematological indicators of progression-free survival were analyzed. Nomogram prediction models were constructed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify risk factors for metastasis of colorectal cancer. The accuracy of the nomogram was validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve, and the clinical predictive efficacy was evaluated through decision curve and clinical impact curve. Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that pan-immune-inflammatory value (PIV), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and bile acid (BA) were independent predictors of colorectal cancer metastasis. The area under the ROC curve of the combined prediction of metastasis was 0.84; neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and BA were independent predictors of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The area under the ROC curve of the combined prediction of liver metastasis was 0.83; PIV and PNI were independent predictive factors for the occurrence of non-liver distant metastasis from colorectal cancer. The area under the ROC curve for the combined prediction of non-liver distant metastasis was 0.83. The calibration curve, decision curve, and clinical impact curve showed that the three models had good accuracy and net benefit value. Conclusion The nomogram constructed based on immune inflammation and liver function hematological indicators can predict the metastasis of patients with colorectal cancer and has high predictive efficacy and clinical application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) has been a cornerstone of traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of licorice formulations, alone or in combination with other herbs, on liver function enzymes in patients with primary liver disease. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to April 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of Glycyrrhiza spp. preparations versus placebo or standard of care controls were included. Standard Cochrane methods were used to extract data and appraise eligible studies. A total of 15 RCTs, involving 1367 participants, were included in the analysis. The studies varied widely in geographical location, duration, and licorice preparations used. Licorice significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by 15.63 U/L (95% CI: −25.08, −6.18; p = 0.001) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) by 7.37 U/L (95% CI: −13.13, −1.61; p = 0.01) compared to control groups. Subgroup analyses revealed that purified glycyrrhizic acid compounds were particularly effective, showing greater reductions in ALT and AST without significant heterogeneity. Although licorice treatment did not significantly impact gamma‐glutamyl transferase and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels overall, specific licorice‐herb preparations did show a notable reduction in TBIL. The safety profile of licorice was consistent with known side effects, predominantly mild and related to its mineralocorticoid effects. Despite heterogeneity and potential language bias, the findings suggest that licorice can enhance liver function. Further studies should standardize licorice preparations and explore its role in multifaceted herbal formulations to better understand its hepatoprotective mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its advanced stage, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), have become increasingly prevalent owing to the rise in metabolic syndromes. Accurate assessment of hepatic fat deposition and inflammation is crucial for diagnosing and managing NAFLD/NASH. We investigated the influence of Gd-EOB-DTPA, (EOB) on proton-density fat fraction (PDFF) measurements using chemical shift-encoded magnetic resonance imaging (CSE-MRI) at 3-T. In total, 431 patients who underwent EOB contrast-enhanced MRI were included. PDFF measurements were obtained from pre- and post-contrast CSE-MRI. Linear regression and Bland–Altman analyses were performed to assess the correlation and agreement between pre- and post-EOB PDFF measurements. Relative enhancement (RE) of the liver was calculated as an EOB uptake index. There was a significant decrease in PDFF following EOB administration compared with the pre-contrast values (P < 0.0001), which was observed across all PDFF ranges (< 10% and ≥ 10%). Linear regression analysis revealed high correlation between pre- and post-EOB PDFF measurements. Bland–Altman analysis indicated a small bias between pre- and post-EOB PDFF values. Subgroup analysis based on RE showed a significant difference in ΔPDFF between patients with high RE (> 120%) and those with lower RE levels. EOB administration resulted in a slight decrease in PDFF measurements obtained using CSE-MRI at 3-T. We were able to generalize and clarify that the PDFF of the liver on 3D CSE-MRI at 3-T was slightly decreased after EOB administration as we used a larger group of patients compared to previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Probiotics, like Lactobacillus plantarum, show promise in managing obesity, but delivery challenges hinder their effectiveness. This study explores the effects of NCAP microcapsules with L. plantarum on weight, lipids, liver function, and insulin in rats over eight weeks, enhancing the bacteria’s survivability through microencapsulation. Results: NCAP microcapsules (10–15 μm, >79% survival) effectively protected L. plantarum. In rats, a high-fat diet with NCAP microcapsules (HFDC) significantly reduced body weight (176 g vs 179 g, p

Abstract Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by a painful vaso-occlusive crisis due to the sickling of red blood cells in capillaries. Complications often lead to liver and renal dysfunctions, contributing to morbidity and mortality, particularly for children under 5. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the liver and renal functions of people with SCD (HbSS) compared to those without it (HbAA) in Africa. Methods The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022346771). We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the keywords “liver function”, “renal function”, “sickle cell disease”, and “Africa” on 6th May 2023 for peer-reviewed articles with abstracts in English. We included case-control studies comparing SCD (HbSS) with controls without hemoglobinopathies (HbAA). We used the random-effect model to calculate the pooled average values for the blood tests of people with SCD in RStudio version 4.2.2. Results Overall, 17 articles were analyzed from five African countries involving 1312 people with SCD and 1558 controls. The pooled mean difference of liver enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST) was 8.62 (95% CI − 2.99–20.23, I 2 = 97.0%, p 50%, there was substantial variation in the reported articles’ results. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42022346771

Abstract Background The impact of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on postoperative recovery of patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain given the lack of sufficient evidence. Aim To investigate the impact of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection on postoperative recovery of patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Patients who were pathologically diagnosed with HCC and underwent elective partial hepatectomy in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital between January 2022 and April 2023 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. The patients were divided into two groups based on their history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Rehabilitation parameters, including postoperative liver function, incidence of complications, and hospitalization expenses, were compared between the two groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce confounding bias. Results We included 172 patients (58 with and 114 without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection) who underwent liver resection for HCC. No significant differences in the rehabilitation parameters were observed between the two groups. After PSM, 58 patients were selected from each group to form the new comparative groups. Similar results were obtained within the population after PSM. Conclusion Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection does not appear to affect postoperative rehabilitation, including liver function, postoperative complications, or hospitalization expenses among patients with HCC after elective partial hepatectomy.

Abstract Background The peripartum period constitutes a delicate physiological moment in mares showing a transient state of oxidative stress. Diet supplementation with antioxidants during pregnancy in women appears to have a beneficial effect on mother and neonate health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of diet supplementation with a commercial product containing a mix of antioxidants (Oxyliver®, Candioli) on the length of gestation, weight, and haemato-biochemical parameters in Italian Salernitano mares and their newborn foals. Eight late-term pregnant mares were randomly divided into two groups: Antiox group receiving 30 g/day of antioxidants, and Car group receiving the same amount of carrot powder, from 290 to 320 days of gestation. The following parameters were evaluated in mares: weight, colostrum composition, haemato-biochemical parameters, progesterone, and cortisol blood concentrations, along with blood oxidant/antioxidant status. Assessments were conducted at specific time points: immediately before the start of diet supplementation (T0), 15 days after (T1), at the end of diet supplementation (T2), within 8 h after parturition (T3), and 10 days post-partum (T4). Foal parameters such as weight, haemato-biochemical values, cortisol concentration, and blood oxidative stress variables were assessed within 8 h of birth (TF0) and at 10 days of age (TF1). Results Pregnancy was shorter in the Antiox group (P

ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of immune inflammation combined with liver function hematological indicators for the metastasis of colorectal cancer. MethodsA retrospective analysis of clinical data of 133 patients with colorectal cancer was conducted. The patients were divided into three groups based on disease progression after 24 months of postoperative follow-up: non-metastasis group (n=38), liver metastasis group (n=43), and non-liver distant metastasis group (n=52). The immune inflammatory markers and liver function hematological indicators of progression-free survival were analyzed. Nomogram prediction models were constructed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify risk factors for metastasis of colorectal cancer. The accuracy of the nomogram was validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve, and the clinical predictive efficacy was evaluated through decision curve and clinical impact curve. ResultsUnivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that pan-immune-inflammatory value (PIV), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and bile acid (BA) were independent predictors of colorectal cancer metastasis. The area under the ROC curve of the combined prediction of metastasis was 0.84; neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and BA were independent predictors of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The area under the ROC curve of the combined prediction of liver metastasis was 0.83; PIV and PNI were independent predictive factors for the occurrence of non-liver distant metastasis from colorectal cancer. The area under the ROC curve for the combined prediction of non-liver distant metastasis was 0.83. The calibration curve, decision curve, and clinical impact curve showed that the three models had good accuracy and net benefit value. ConclusionThe nomogram constructed based on immune inflammation and liver function hematological indicators can predict the metastasis of patients with colorectal cancer and has high predictive efficacy and clinical application prospects.

Exposure to mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), in combination with liver and kidney impairment, may result in adverse birth outcomes. From 408 women in the age range of 16 to 46 years, living in rural and urban areas in the interior of Suriname, we looked at the association between adverse birth outcomes and exposure to Hg and Pb in combination with liver and kidney function. This group of women represented a subcohort of pregnant women who participated in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH)—Meki Tamara study. Liver function was assessed by measuring aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Kidney function was assessed by measuring creatinine, urea, and cystatin C. We defined preterm births as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, low birthweight as birthweight < 2500 g, and low Apgar score as a score < 7 at 5 min, and these were used as indicators for adverse birth outcomes. Small size for gestational age was defined as gestational age < −2SD weight for GA. We found significant statistical associations between biomarkers for liver and kidney functions and adverse birth outcomes Apgar score and gestational age. No significant association was found between heavy metals Hg and lead and adverse birth outcomes.

Context: COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus pneumonia, which is related to abnormal liver function. Thus, it is important to explore the occurrences and causes of abnormal liver function with COVID-19. Methods: We chose 109 patients with COVID-19 in 2020 and studied the relationship between gender, age, basic diseases, antiviral drug treatment, disease classification, and abnormal liver function, and analyzed the causes of abnormal liver function in patients with COVID-19 Results: Among patients, 46 (42.20%) had abnormal liver function at admission; 37 (80.43%) had mild abnormal liver function; and 9 (19.57%) had severe liver function. Compared with other age groups, the abnormal rate of serum ALP in the group younger than 21 years old were the highest (P < 0.05). The abnormal rates and concentrations of serum ALT, AST and γ-GT in the male groups were higher than in female groups (P < 0.05), basic disease group were higher than those in the non-basic disease group (P < 0.05). Serum γ-GT concentration after 1 week of antiviral treatment was higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05). The abnormal rate of ALT and AST at discharge was lower than that after antiviral treatment for 1 week (P < 0.05). Serum TB and AST concentrations at discharge were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). Serum AST and γ-GT concentrations in severe/critical type group were higher than those in mild or ordinary type group (P < 0.05) Conclusions: In this study, we found male sex, basic diseases, antiviral drugs, and severe/critical types are related to the occurrence of abnormal liver function in COVID-19 patients.

Objective To explore the perioperative situation of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with laparoscopic hepatectomy or open hepatectomy and their effects on liver function. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 85 patients with HCC who visited the Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into open group (open hepatectomy, n=53) and laparoscopic group (laparoscopic hepatectomy, n=32). Both groups of patients were followed up for one month after discharge. The general information, intraoperative conditions, postoperative complications, and liver function indicators were compared between two groups of patients. Results Compared with the open group, the laparoscopic group had shorter hospitalization time ［(14.19±3.02) d vs (16.36±3.30) d, t=3.03, P＜0.01］, as well as shorter time for the first postoperative anal evacuation ［(2.30±0.77) d vs (2.75±0.49) d, t=3.29, P＜0.01］ and less intraoperative bleeding ［(395.63±70.25) mL vs (440.38±62.42) mL, t=3.05, P＜0.01］. Serum total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase levels were lower in the laparoscopic group than those in the open group at 3 days postoperatively, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). In the 1-month postoperative period, the difference in the overall rate of postoperative complications between the two groups was not statistically significant (15.63% vs 16.98%, χ2=0.92, P=0.34). Conclusion For patients with HCC, the application of laparoscopic hepatectomy is safe and feasible, which can reduce the impact on liver function, shorten hospitalization time, and promote early recovery.

旨在为羊尾油对动物健康效应的研究提供基础数据，创建了自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）模型，将8周龄SHR分为试验组苏尼特羊尾油组（Y组）、阴性对照大豆油组（D组）、阳性对照菜籽油组（C组）和芥花油组（J组），并分别饲喂添加10%相应油脂的饲料，记录日摄食量，每周测量血压，饲喂14周后解剖采血,摘取肝脏，检测血清血脂水平、肝脏功能指标和肝脏病理学特征。结果表明：第14周时，Y组雌、雄SHR日摄食量显著高于对照组(p

Abstract The present cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between systemic inflammatory indices (SIIs) and anthropometric measures, metabolic, and liver function biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study was carried out on 238 NAFLD patients with overweight or obesity, aged 18–55 years. Anthropometric measurements were done and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were estimated. Metabolic factors including serum glucose, lipid profile, liver function biomarkers, and complete blood cell count were assessed after a 24-h fasting state. SIIs including the ratios of neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR), monocytes to lymphocyte (MLR), platelet to lymphocyte (PLR), and monocytes to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MHR) were calculated. Results indicate that apart from PLR, all of the SIIs significantly changed by increasing steatosis severity (all p

To investigate the effects of methadone maintenance therapy on body mass index (BMI) and some biochemical parameters, including fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and liver function indices as indicators of the biochemical function of the body for 3 years. This interventional study was performed on 43 opioid use disorder patients who had been selected for methadone maintenance therapy from 2016 to 2020. The morphine test on blood samples was carried out monthly for all patients. Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile including triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and liver function tests including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and body mass index (BMI) were measured over 3 years. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. FBS in second and third year of therapy increased by 15.57 mg/dL (p-value 0.01) and 21.87 mg/dL (p-value 0.009), respectively; none of lipid profile variables was significantly different over time (p-value > 0.05). Only mean ALP levels significantly decreased 21.51 IU/L (p-value 0.04), 21.02 IU/L (p-value 0.04), and 26.07 IU/L (p-value 0.01) in liver function tests. The mean BMI increases each years but not significantly. Methadone treatment affects some biochemical parameters such as blood sugar and liver activity, so changes in biochemical parameters should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The liver function reserve has a significant impact on the therapeutic effects of anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the ability of liver-function-based indicators to predict prognosis and construct a novel prognostic score for HCC patients with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Methods: Between July 2018 and January 2020, patients diagnosed with HCC who received anti-PD-1 treatment were screened for inclusion in the study. The valuable prognostic liver-function-based indicators were selected using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to build a novel liver-function-indicators-based signature (LFIS). Concordance index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were utilized to access the predictive performance of LFIS. Results: A total of 434 HCC patients who received anti-PD-1 treatment were included in the study. The LFIS, based on alkaline phosphatase-to-albumin ratio index, Child–Pugh score, platelet-albumin score, aspartate aminotransferase-to-lymphocyte ratio index, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-lymphocyte ratio index, was constructed and identified as an independent risk factor for patient survival. The C-index of LFIS for overall survival (OS) was 0.692, which was higher than the other single liver-function-based indicator. The AUC of LFIS at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month were 0.74, 0.714, 0.747, and 0.865 for OS, respectively. Patients in the higher-risk LFIS group were associated with both worse OS and PFS. An online and easy-to-use calculator was further constructed for better application of the LFIS signature. Conclusion: The LFIS score had an excellent prognosis prediction ability superior to every single liver-function-based indicator for anti-PD-1 treatment in HCC patients. It is a reliable, easy-to-use tool to stratify risk for OS and PFS in HCC patients who received anti-PD-1 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent mycotoxin that can severely harm broiler health and performance, leading to reduced growth rates, compromised liver function, and weakened immune function. The study explored the effectiveness of two dietary supplements, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicates (HSCASs), and discarded date pits (DDPs) in reducing the harmful effects of AFB1 on broiler chickens. The research involved feeding 240 chickens with different diets: a control diet, a control diet with AFB1, and an AFB1-contaminated diet with either HSCAS or DDP. The results showed that including HSCAS or DDP in the diet improved the chickens' body weight, feed efficiency, and overall health. These improvements were evident through better liver and kidney function, higher protein and glucose levels in the blood, and enhanced digestive efficiency. Remarkably, DDP supplementation also reduced liver size and improved total antioxidant capacity levels, while HSCAS increased protein digestibility. The study concluded that both HSCAS and DDP are effective in reducing the negative impacts of AFB1 on broiler chickens, suggesting they could be valuable natural feed additives in poultry farming to ensure healthier birds and safer food products for consumers. The research aimed to evaluate how effective hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicates (HSCASs) and discarded date pits (DDPs) are as dietary adsorbents for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in enhancing the performance and health of broiler chickens aged 16 to 30 days. A total of 240 Ross 308 straight-run broilers were randomly allocated into four dietary groups, each with 10 replicates: a control diet, a control diet with 1000 ppb AFB1, an AFB1-contaminated diet with 0.5% HSCAS, and an AFB1-contaminated diet with 4% DDP. Incorporating HSCASs or DDPs into the AFB1-contaminated diet resulted in significant improvements across various parameters, involving increased body weight, improved feed conversion ratio, higher dressing percentage, decreased relative weights of kidney and spleen, elevated serum levels of total protein, globulin, and glucose, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activity, and heightened hepatic protein concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity, along with diminished hepatic malondialdehyde content and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity. Moreover, both supplements led to increased ileal villus height and surface area, enhanced apparent nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy digestibility, and decreased AFB1 residues in the liver and kidney. Moreover, the dietary inclusion of DDPs significantly decreased relative liver weight, raised serum albumin concentration, lowered serum alkaline phosphatase activity, enhanced hepatic total antioxidant capacity level, and augmented ileal villus width. Conversely, the dietary addition of HSCASs significantly heightened apparent crude protein digestibility. In conclusion, the inclusion of HSCASs and DDPs in AFB1-contaminated diets can mitigate the toxic effects of AFB1 on broiler chickens, with DDPs exhibiting additional advantages in optimizing liver function and gut morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effects of dietary interventions using strawberry leaf powder (SLP) and cauliflower leaf powder (CLP) on oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and histological changes in diet-induced obese rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into two main groups: Group 1 (6 rats) received a basic diet (BD), while Group 2 (30 rats) was fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity over 8 weeks. Group 2 was then further divided into four subgroups: subgroup 2 served as the obese control (DIO), while subgroups 3, 4, and 5 were fed a BD supplemented with 10% CLP, 10% SLP, and a combination of CLP and SLP, respectively. At the end of the 8-week period, the normal group's body weight (BW) gain was 0.95%, food intake (FI) was 13.94 g/day/rat, and the feed efficiency ratio (FER) was 0.079. In contrast, the obese control group saw increases of 58.49%, 30.27%, and 23.59%, respectively. Supplementation with CLP, SLP, and the combined mix led to a significant (p≤0.05) reduction in BW, FI, and FER among obese rats. Furthermore, CLP and SLP effectively improved obesityrelated conditions by lowering serum glucose and insulin levels, protecting the liver by reducing serum enzyme activity, increasing antioxidant levels (GSH and GSSG), and improving inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and NO). Additionally, they reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating lower lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. The study also highlighted the positive effects of these supplements on obesity-related histological changes in adipose and liver tissues. These findings suggest that dietary modifications with plant-based components can help mitigate obesity-related complications, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles (BTs) are high-production volume chemicals as well as widely distributed emerging pollutants with potential health risk. However, information about human exposure to BTs and associated health outcomes is limited. Objective: We aimed to characterise exposure to BTs among Czech men, including possible occupational exposure among firefighters, its predictors, and its associations with liver function, serum lipids and oxidative stress. Methods: 165 participants (including 110 firefighters) provided urine and blood samples that were used to quantify the urinary levels of 8 BTs (high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry), and 4 liver enzymes, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. Linear regression was used to assess associations with population characteristics and biomarkers of liver function, serum lipids and oxidative stress. Regression models were adjusted for potential confounding variables and false discovery rate procedure was applied to account for multiplicity. Results: The BTs ranged from undetected up to 46.8 ng/mL. 2-hydroxy-benzothiazole was the most predominant compound (detection frequency 83%; median 1.95 ng/mL). 1-methyl-benzotriazole (1M-BTR) was measured in human samples for the first time, with a detection frequency 77% and median 1.75 ng/mL. Professional firefighters had lower urinary 1M-BTR compared to non-firefighters. Urinary 1M-BTR was associated with levels of γ-glutamyl transferase (β = − 17.54%; 95% CI: − 26.127, − 7.962). Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate BT exposure in Central Europe, including potentially exposed firefighters. The findings showed a high prevalence of BTs in the study population, the relevance of 1M-BTR as a new biomarker of exposure, and an urgent need for further research into associated adverse health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Antibiotics frequently induce abnormal liver function. Omadacycline is a novel aminomethylcycline antibiotic, which shows potent activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic, anaerobic, and atypical (including Legionella pneumophila) bacteria. Of note, omadacycline is tolerable in most patients with liver impairment. However, evidence regarding the application of omadacycline in patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia after experiencing liver dysfunction is scarce. Methods: The current study reported 6 cases of patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia receiving omadacycline as subsequent antibiotics after experiencing liver dysfunction. Results: These 6 cases were admitted to the hospital for pneumonia and received antibiotic therapy, including piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem, meropenem, and moxifloxacin. After receiving these antibiotics, increased liver enzymes were noted. Although hepatoprotective therapy (such as magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate and glutathione) was given, the liver function was still abnormal. According to metagenomic next-generation sequencing, these patients were diagnosed with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia. Considering the abnormal liver function, the antibiotic therapy was switched to omadacycline-containing antibiotic therapy. After that, liver function was improved, and the infection was ameliorated. Ultimately, all patients discharged from the hospital, including 2 patients who achieved complete clinical symptomatic improvement and 4 patients who achieved partial clinical symptomatic improvement. Discussion: This study emphasizes the successful treatment of switching to omadacycline after experiencing abnormal liver function in patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia. This study suggests that omadacycline may serve as an optional antibiotic for patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia, especially when occurring liver dysfunction. However, more clinical studies are required to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between systemic inflammatory indices (SIIs) and anthropometric measures, metabolic, and liver function biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study was carried out on 238 NAFLD patients with overweight or obesity, aged 18–55 years. Anthropometric measurements were done and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were estimated. Metabolic factors including serum glucose, lipid profile, liver function biomarkers, and complete blood cell count were assessed after a 24-h fasting state. SIIs including the ratios of neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR), monocytes to lymphocyte (MLR), platelet to lymphocyte (PLR), and monocytes to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MHR) were calculated. Results indicate that apart from PLR, all of the SIIs significantly changed by increasing steatosis severity (all p < 0.05). Moreover, changes in NLR showed a significant association with anthropometric indices including waist circumference (p = 0.032), BMI (p = 0.047), and WHtR (p = 0.002), as well as levels of fasting blood sugar (p = 0.045), triglycerides, (p = 0.025) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.006). The findings also indicate the relations between lipid profile and all studied SIIs, notably MHR and MLR. All of the SIIs exhibited associations with some liver function indices as well. MHR was positively correlated with the metabolic risk factors of NAFLD while, oppositely, PLR was considered as a preventive marker of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of pemafibrate, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonist, on the serum biochemical parameters of male patients with coronary artery disease and metabolic syndrome (MetS). This was a post hoc analysis of a randomized, crossover study that treated hypertriglyceridemia with pemafibrate or bezafibrate for 24 weeks, followed by a crossover of another 24 weeks. Of the 60 patients enrolled in the study, 55 were male. Forty-one of 55 male patients were found to have MetS. In this sub-analysis, male patients with MetS (MetS group, n = 41) and those without MetS (non-MetS group, n = 14) were compared. The primary endpoint was a change in fasting serum triglyceride (TG) levels during pemafibrate therapy, and the secondary endpoints were changes in insulin resistance-related markers and liver function parameters. Serum TG levels significantly decreased (MetS group, from 266.6 to 148.0 mg/dL, p < 0.001; non-MetS group, from 203.9 to 97.6 mg/dL, p < 0.001); however, a percent change (%Change) was not significantly different between the groups (− 44.1% vs. − 51.6%, p = 0.084). Serum insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance significantly decreased in the MetS group but not in the non-MetS group. %Change in liver enzyme levels was markedly decreased in the MetS group compared with that in the non-MetS group (alanine aminotransferase, − 25.1% vs. − 11.3%, p = 0.027; gamma-glutamyl transferase, − 45.8% vs. − 36.2%, p = 0.020). In conclusion, pemafibrate can effectively decrease TG levels in patients with MetS, and it may be a more efficient drug for improving insulin resistance and liver function in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are promising to be used in clinical settings. The liver is an important degradation organ of the body. Whether liver function affects the levels of AD biomarkers needs to be studied. Objective: To investigate the associations between liver function and the plasma levels of AD biomarkers. Methods: We conducted an ADNI cohort-based cross-sectional study. Thirteen liver function markers commonly used in clinical settings were analyzed: total protein (TP), albumin (AL), globulin (GL), AL/GL ratio (A/G), total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), indirect bilirubin (IB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), AST/ALT ratio, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the plasma Aβ42 and Aβ40 concentrations. Single Molecule array technique was used to measure the plasma p-tau181 and NfL concentrations. We used linear regression models to analyze the associations between liver function markers and the levels of AD plasma biomarkers. Results: ALP was positively associated with the levels of plasma Aβ42 (β = 0.16, P = 0.018) and Aβ40 (β = 0.21, P = 0.004). LDH was positively associated with the levels of plasma p-tau181 (β = 0.09, P = 0.022). While NfL was correlated with multiple liver function markers, including AL, A/G, ALT, AST/ALT, and LDH. Conclusion: Liver function was associated with the plasma levels of AD biomarkers. It needs to consider the potential influence of liver function on the reference ranges and the interpretation of results for AD biomarkers before clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Since the advent of zidovudine in 1987, antiretroviral therapy has undergone significant evolution, marked by the introduction of 34 antiretroviral drugs and 24 fixed-dose combinations. Despite these advances, hepatotoxicity remains a formidable challenge, influencing morbidity, mortality, and treatment adherence in HIV-infected patients. This study aims to compare the hepatotoxic effects of latest-generation antiretroviral medications with those of older-generation therapies, assessing their long-term impact on liver health in HIV patients. (2) Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 304 HIV patients treated with either latest-generation or older-generation antiretroviral drugs over four years. Patients were monitored for hepatotoxicity through liver function tests at diagnosis, six months, and one-year post-treatment initiation. (3) Results: Initial and six-month liver function tests showed no significant differences between the two groups. However, at one-year post-treatment, patients on latest-generation antiretrovirals exhibited significant improvements in ALT, AST, and ALP levels, suggesting a better safety profile regarding hepatotoxicity. Additionally, a significantly lower incidence of splenomegaly was observed in patients treated with newer medications. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest that the latest-generation antiretroviral medications may offer a safer profile in terms of hepatotoxicity compared to older therapies, with potential benefits for long-term liver health. This study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and further research to optimize ART strategies, ensuring improved patient outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term hepatic damage is associated with human morbidity and mortality owing to numerous pathogenic factors. A variety of studies have focused on improving liver health using natural products and herbal medicines. We aimed to investigate the effect of enzyme-treated Zizania latifolia ethanol extract (ETZL), which increases the content of tricin via enzymatic hydrolysis, for 8 weeks on liver-related outcomes, lipid metabolism, antioxidant activity, and fatigue compared to a placebo. Healthy Korean adult males aged 19–60 years were randomized into ETZL treatment and placebo groups, and alcohol consumption was 24.96 and 28.64 units/week, respectively. Alanine transaminase, a blood marker associated with liver cell injury, significantly decreased after 8 weeks compared to the baseline in the ETZL treatment group (p = 0.004). After 8 weeks, the treatment group showed significant changes in the levels of high-density lipoprotein and hepatic steatosis index compared to the baseline (p = 0.028 and p = 0.004, respectively). ETZL treatment tended to reduce antioxidant-activity-related factors, total antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde, but there was no significant difference. In the multidimensional fatigue scale, ETZL treatment showed a significant reduction in general fatigue and total-fatigue-related values after 8 weeks compared to the baseline (p = 0.012 and p = 0.032, respectively). Taken together, the 8-week treatment of enzyme-treated Zizania latifolia ethanol extract demonstrated positive effects on liver-related outcomes, lipid metabolism, and mental fatigue without adverse effects on safety-related parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the documented adverse impacts of nanoparticles (NPs) on the environment and human health, their application in nanomedicine is expanding. Because nickel compounds are very toxic to the liver and kidney and can cause cancer, it is important to research how they affect human health. The effects of spherical nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) on kidney and liver functions were demonstrated in the current investigation. Twenty male albino rats were separated into two groups. The first group was used as a control group, which received only 0.9% sodium chloride, while the other group II, the rats, were orally administered Ni-NPs at a concentration of 50 mg/kg body weight by gavage three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks got. The animal's blood, liver, and kidney samples were taken and analyzed for cell structure and function. The nephrotoxic effect of Ni-NPs and its correlation to the oxidative state have been studied using standard diagnostic techniques such as biochemical testing and histopathology. Tissue biochemical analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was recorded in the liver and kidney. The Ni-NP-treated group refers to the impaired kidney functions resulting from deposit of Ni-NPs in the kidney and the oxidative stress of the liver. Ni-NPs induce changes in histopathology and ultrastructure in liver and kidney tissue. The conductivity has much higher values for the treated group compared with the control group; this is an indicator that Ni-NPs are affected in the blood condition in which blood hemolysis occurs, consequently anemic disease. Ni-NPs induce DNA damage through generation of reactive oxidative stress (ROS), nephrotoxic effects, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation, and also induced an increase in blood viscosity, showing platelet clumps, hepatotoxicity, inflammation, fatty changes in liver, and histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) benefit from using synbiotics. However, findings from existing trials remain contentious. Therefore, this meta-analysis evaluated the effects of synbiotics on liver enzymes, blood pressure, inflammation, and lipid profiles in patients with NAFLD. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding synbiotics supplementation in patients with NAFLD. Results: The meta-analysis revealed that synbiotics supplementation significantly improved liver enzymes (AST, WMD: −9.12 IU/L; 95 % CI: −13.19 to −5.05; ALT, WMD: −8.53 IU/L; 95 % CI: −15.07 to −1.99; GGT, WMD: −10.42 IU/L; 95 % CI: −15.19 to −5.65), lipid profile (TC, WMD: −7.74 mg/dL; 95 % CI: −12.56 to −2.92), obesity indices (body weight, WMD: −1.95 kg; 95 % CI: −3.69 to −0.22; WC, WMD: −1.40 cm; 95 % CI: −2.71 to −0.10), systolic blood pressure (SBP, WMD: −6.00 mmHg; 95 % CI: −11.52 to −0.49), and inflammatory markers (CRP, WMD: −0.69 mg/L; 95 % CI: −1.17 to −0.21; TNF-α, WMD: −14.01 pg/mL; 95 % CI: −21.81 to −6.20). Conclusion: Overall, supplementation with synbiotics positively improved liver enzymes, obesity indices, and inflammatory cytokines in patients with NAFLD.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between circulating cytokines and liver function and prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with radiotherapy combined with tislelizumab and anlotinib. The liver function indexes and pre-treatment levels of cytokines in 47 patients were measured by chemical method and flow cytometry. The median follow-up was 23.1 months. The objective response and the disease control rates were 46.8% and 68.1%, while overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 12.6 and 11.4 months, respectively. Adverse events (2.1%) were grade 3–4. In addition to stage, intrahepatic metastasis and Child–Pugh score, pre-treatment interleukin-6 (IL-6) was the main cytokine affecting OS and PFS (p

(1) Background: Since the advent of zidovudine in 1987, antiretroviral therapy has undergone significant evolution, marked by the introduction of 34 antiretroviral drugs and 24 fixed-dose combinations. Despite these advances, hepatotoxicity remains a formidable challenge, influencing morbidity, mortality, and treatment adherence in HIV-infected patients. This study aims to compare the hepatotoxic effects of latest-generation antiretroviral medications with those of older-generation therapies, assessing their long-term impact on liver health in HIV patients. (2) Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 304 HIV patients treated with either latest-generation or older-generation antiretroviral drugs over four years. Patients were monitored for hepatotoxicity through liver function tests at diagnosis, six months, and one-year post-treatment initiation. (3) Results: Initial and six-month liver function tests showed no significant differences between the two groups. However, at one-year post-treatment, patients on latest-generation antiretrovirals exhibited significant improvements in ALT, AST, and ALP levels, suggesting a better safety profile regarding hepatotoxicity. Additionally, a significantly lower incidence of splenomegaly was observed in patients treated with newer medications. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest that the latest-generation antiretroviral medications may offer a safer profile in terms of hepatotoxicity compared to older therapies, with potential benefits for long-term liver health. This study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and further research to optimize ART strategies, ensuring improved patient outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with HIV.

Objective: Patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) with inadequate growth hormone levels are often correlated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the potential mechanism of how GHD influences liver function remains obscure. In the present study, we aim to perform hepatic metabolomics in Lewis dwarf rats, which were the standard congenital isolated GH-deficient rat, to evaluate the characterizations of hepatic metabolic profiles and explore their relations with liver functions. Methods: Lewis dwarf homozygous (dw/dw) rats at 37 weeks (five females and five males), and Lewis dwarf heterozygous (dw/+) rats at 37 weeks (five females and five males) were analyzed in our study. Body lengths and weights, liver weights, serum alanine transaminase (ALT), and serum aspartate transaminase (AST) were measured. ELISA and RT-qPCR were used to assess IGF-1 levels in serum and liver, respectively. The non-targeted metabolomics was performed in the livers of dw/+ and dw/dw rats. Differential metabolites were selected according to the coefficient of variation (CV), variable importance in the projection (VIP) > 1, and P < 0.05. Hierarchical clustering of differential metabolites was conducted, and the KEGG database was used for metabolic pathway analysis. Results: The body weights, body lengths, liver weights, and IGF-1 levels in the serum and liver of dw/dw rats were significantly decreased compared with dw/+ rats. Dw/dw rats exhibited more obvious hepatic steatosis accompanied by higher serum ALT and AST levels. Hepatic metabolomics showed that a total of 88 differential metabolites in positive ion mode, and 51 metabolites in negative ion mode were identified. Among them, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) 16:2, LPC 18:3, LPC 22:6, fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA)18:1 were significantly decreased, while palmitoyl acid, dehydrocholic acid, and 7-ketolithocholic acid were significantly increased in dw/dw rats compared with dw/+ rats. These seven differential metabolites were significantly associated with phenotypes of rats. Finally, KEGG pathway analysis showed that the arginine and proline metabolism pathway and bile secretion pathway were mainly clustered. Conclusion: Lewis dw/dw rats with congenital isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) showed liver steatosis and abnormal liver function, which could be potentially associated with the distinctive hepatic metabolic profiles.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are considered one of the most widespread categories of environmental pollutants. This study was conducted to discover the effect of PAH from the oil fields pollution in Basra on liver function. The relationship between PAH in air compared to blood serum and its effect on liver function parameters were studied. 120 blood samples were collected from male workers aged between 25-40 years from 3 different regions. Group 1 was from the Rumella field, while group 2 was from the West Qurna field, and group 3 was from an uncontaminated area far from the oil fields in the city center (control). Higher levels of PAH were found in group 1 and group 2 in the blood serum as compared to control in both air and serum. In control, significantly higher levels of PAH were found in air as compared to serum levels. As for PAH levels in the air, a higher level was detected in group 1 compared to group 2, while a lower level was detected in control. As for liver function tests, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin were the higher level in group 1 and 2 compared to control. In contrast, the levels of albumin and total protein were lower in the group 1 and 2 compared to the control. In conclusion, it is suggested that environmental pollutants such as PAH may cause liver diseases by reducing the function of liver in human. [ J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 2024; 7(3.000): 586-596]

To investigate the ameliorative effects and mechanism of Moringa oleifera Lam (LM) leaf aqueous extract on hepatic fibrosis (HF) in rats. 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, colchicine group (100 mg/kg), and LM high, medium and low dose groups (200, 100 and 50 mg/kg), except for the normal group, rats in the remaining groups were established as HF model by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA) and the corresponding drugs were administered from the 5 th week. At the end of drug administration, rats were examined for body weight, liver index, liver function indexes, including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). HF indices including serum procollagen type III (PCIII), collagen type IV (IV-C), laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), liver hydroxyproline acid (HYP). Masson staining was used to observe liver fibrotic tissue lesions. Indicators of Liver oxidative stress, including hepatic reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were also detected. Real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR and protein immunoblotting were performed to detect hepatic TGF-β1/Smads pathway gene expression. Rats in the HF model group had significantly lower body weight, highly significantly increased liver index, serum ALT, AST, PCIII, IV-C, LN, HA and liver HYP concentrations compared with rats in the normal group (P

Background There is ample evidence to suggest that patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant may experience liver dysfunction. However, the impact of pre-infection liver function on postinfection mortality rates remains inadequately researched.Methods Data from 847 hemodialysis (HD) patients, diagnosed with Omicron across six HD centers between December 2022 and February 2023, were analyzed. Initial liver function assessments were conducted, following which patients were monitored for mortality outcomes. The stepwise multivariable Cox regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to identify the predictors of mortality.Results From the total, 98 patients (11.6%) succumbed, with a majority (80/98) within a month postinfection. The deceased patients were observed to be mostly older males with an increased prevalence of diabetes and tumors, signifying higher AST and C-reactive protein levels. These patients also exhibited lower hemoglobin, albumin, and prealbumin levels. An elevated AST [per 1 IU increment; HR 1.04 (95% CI 1–1.04), p = 0.026], AST/ALT ratio [per 1 increment; HR 1.52 (95% CI 1.27–2.36), p = 0.004], and reduced prealbumin [per 10 mg/L increment; HR 0.93 (95% CI 0.9–0.96), p

Vine tea is a traditional Chinese tea that has been used for centuries. It is rich in flavonoids and has excellent health benefits, especially for liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective mechanism of dihydromyricetin (DMY), a flavonoid mainly contained in vine tea. Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were administered different doses of DMY by oral gavage for two weeks. Liver function and physiological indices of mice were assessed, while changes in gut microbiota following DMY treatment were monitored through 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Additionally, metabolic pathways and mechanisms were further explored using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. The results showed that aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly reduced after DMY intervention in mice. Meanwhile, the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota was increased by DMY. Moreover, DMY enhanced gut microbiota-mediated primary and secondary bile acid synthesis pathways. It inhibited the expression of bile acid synthesis rate-limiting enzymes, such as cyp7a1 and cyp27a1, in mouse liver tissue. However, bile acid-related receptors including fxr, FGFR4, and TGR5 were significantly activated, indicating that DMY inhibited bile acid synthesis in the liver. This negative feedback regulation mechanism, in which DMY participated, maintained bile acid homeostasis in the liver and intestine of mice. In conclusion, DMY modulated the composition of intestinal microbiota and its mediated bile acid homeostasis in mice, thereby exhibiting a protective effect on liver tissue.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between circulating cytokines and liver function and prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with radiotherapy combined with tislelizumab and anlotinib. The liver function indexes and pre-treatment levels of cytokines in 47 patients were measured by chemical method and flow cytometry. The median follow-up was 23.1 months. The objective response and the disease control rates were 46.8% and 68.1%, while overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 12.6 and 11.4 months, respectively. Adverse events (2.1%) were grade 3–4. In addition to stage, intrahepatic metastasis and Child–Pugh score, pre-treatment interleukin-6 (IL-6) was the main cytokine affecting OS and PFS (p < 0.05). The OS (14.63 pg/mL as cutoff value) and PFS (9.85 pg/mL as cutoff value) of patients with low IL-6 levels exceeded those with high levels (21.0 and 6.9, 15.8 and 10.0 months, respectively). The risks of death and disease progression were reduced by 63.0% (HR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.19–0.72) and 43.0% (HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.22–1.47), respectively. Pre-treatment IL-6 levels may be a simple and effective prognostic indicator for patients with advanced HCC treated with radiotherapy combined with immunotargeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]