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Patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) show increased oxidative stress in blood. We aimed to assess whether MHE patients show alterations in different types of blood cells in (a) basal reactive oxygen and nitrogen species levels; (b) capacity to metabolise these species. To assess the mechanisms involved in the altered capacity to metabolise these species we also analysed: (c) peroxynitrite formation and d) peroxynitrite reaction with biological molecules. Levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species were measured by flow cytometry in blood cell populations from cirrhotic patients with and without MHE and controls, under basal conditions and after adding generators of superoxide (plumbagin) or nitric oxide (NOR-1) to assess the capacity to eliminate them. Under basal conditions, MHE patients show reduced superoxide and peroxynitrite levels and increased nitric oxide (NO) and nitrotyrosine levels. In patients without MHE plumbagin strongly increases cellular superoxide, moderately peroxynitrite and reduces NO levels. In MHE patients, plumbagin increases slightly superoxide and strongly peroxynitrite levels and affects slightly NO levels. NOR-1 increases NO levels much less in patients with than without MHE. These data show that the mechanisms and the capacity to eliminate cellular superoxide, NO and peroxynitrite are enhanced in MHE patients. Superoxide elimination is enhanced through reaction with NO to form peroxynitrite which, in turn, is eliminated by enhanced reaction with biological molecules, which could contribute to cognitive impairment in MHE. The data show that basal free radical levels do not reflect the oxidative stress status in MHE.

Patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) show mild cognitive impairment associated with alterations in attentional and executive networks. There are no studies evaluating the relationship between memory in MHE and structural and functional connectivity (FC) changes in the hippocampal system. This study aimed to evaluate verbal learning and long-term memory in cirrhotic patients with (C-MHE) and without MHE (C-NMHE) and healthy controls. We assessed the relationship between alterations in memory and the structural integrity and FC of the hippocampal system. C-MHE patients showed impairments in learning, long-term memory, and recognition, compared to C-NMHE patients and controls. Cirrhotic patients showed reduced fimbria volume compared to controls. Larger volumes in hippocampus subfields were related to better memory performance in C-NMHE patients and controls. C-MHE patients presented lower FC between the L-presubiculum and L-precuneus than C-NMHE patients. Compared to controls, C-MHE patients had reduced FC between L-presubiculum and subiculum seeds and bilateral precuneus, which correlated with cognitive impairment and memory performance. Alterations in the FC of the hippocampal system could contribute to learning and long-term memory impairments in C-MHE patients. This study demonstrates the association between alterations in learning and long-term memory and structural and FC disturbances in hippocampal structures in cirrhotic patients.

Background and aims Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is associated with cognitive alterations and changes in connectivity. We assessed the relationship of the abnormalities of resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) and gray matter (GM) volume with different cognitive alterations and biochemical parameters associated to MHE. Methods Thirty-nine cirrhotic patients (26 without and 13 with MHE) and 24 controls were widely cognitive assessed with a battery of psychometric tests. Atrophy was determined using Voxel-Based Morphometry and rs-FC was assessed by independent component analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was performed to assess the diagnostic utility of rs-FC and GM reduction for the discrimination of patients with and without MHE. Blood ammonia, cGMP, and levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins were measured. Results MHE patients showed significant decrease of GM volume and lesser degree of rs-FC in different networks related to attention and executive functions as compared to controls and patients without MHE. There is a progressive reduction in rs-FC in the default mode network with the progression of cognitive impairment. MHE patients showed GM reduction in theright frontal lobe, right insula and right cerebellum compared to patients without MHE. Alterations in GM volume and rs-FC correlated with the scores of different cognitive tests. Conclusions Decreased cognitive performance is associated by reduced rs-FC and GM atrophy in MHE patients. These changes could have predictive value for detecting MHE.

Hospital costs associated with Chronic Hepatitis C (HCC) arise in the final stages of the disease. Its quantification is very helpful in order to estimate and check the burden of the disease and to make financial decisions for new antivirals. The highest costs are due to the decompensation of cirrosis.Cross-sectional observational study of hospital costs of HCC diagnoses in the Valencian Community in 2013 (n= 4,486 hospital discharges). Information source: Minimum basic set of data/ Basic Minimum Data Set. The costs were considered according to the rates established for the DRG (Diagnosis related group) associated with the episodes with diagnosis of hepatitis C. The average survival of patients since the onset of the decom- pensation of their cirrhosis was estimated by a Markov model, according to the probabilities of evolution of the disease existing in Literatura.There were 4,486 hospital episodes, 1,108 due to complications of HCC, which generated 6,713 stays, readmission rate of 28.2% and mortality of 10.2%. The hospital cost amounted to 8,788,593EUR: 3,306,333EUR corresponded to Cirrhosis (5,273EUR/patient); 1,060,521EUR to Carcinoma (6,350EUR/ patient) and 2,962,873EUR to transplantation (70,544EUR/paciente. Comorbidity was 1,458,866EUR. These costs are maintai- ned for an average of 4 years once the cirrhosis decompensation begins.Cirrhosis due to HCC generates a very high hospitalization's costs. The methodology used in the estimation of these costs from the DRG can be very useful to evaluate the trend and economic impact of this disease.Los costes hospitalarios asociados a la Hepatitis Crónica C (HCC) surgen en los estadíos finales de la enfermedad. Su cuantificación es de gran utilidad para estimar la carga de la enfermedad y establecer decisiones de financiación de los nuevos antivirales. Los costes más elevados son motivados por la descompensación de la cirrosis.Estudio observacional de corte transversal de los costes hospitalarios de episodios con diagnóstico de HCC en la Comunidad Valenciana en 2013. Fuente de información: Conjunto mínimo básico de datos. Se estimaron los costes según las tarifas establecidas para los GRD (Grupos relacionados por el diagnóstico) asociados a los episodios con diagnóstico de hepatitis C. La supervivencia media de los pacientes desde que se inició la descompensación de su cirrosis se estimó mediante un modelo de Markov, según las probabilidades de evolución de la enfermedad existentes en la literatura.Se registraron 4.486 episodios de hospitalización con diagnóstico de HCC, 1.108 fueron debidos a complicaciones de la HCC que generaron 6.713 estancias, tasa de reingresos del 28,2 % y mortalidad del 10,2%. El coste hospitalario ascendió a 8.788.593EUR: 3.306.333EUR correspondieron a Cirrosis (5.273EUR/paciente); 1.060.521EUR a Carcinoma (6.350EUR/ paciente) y 2.962.873EUR a trasplante (70.544EUR/paciente). La comorbilidad por Hepatitis C supuso 1.458.866EUR. Estos costes se mantienen durante una media de 4 años una vez comienza la descompensación de la cirrosis.La cirrosis por HCC genera un coste muy elevado por hospitalización, la metodología utilizada en la estimación de estos costes a partir de los GRD puede ser de gran utilidad para evaluar la tendencia e impacto económico de esta enfermedad.

Background & Aims: Cognitive dysfunction in cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is associated with falls. Alterations in postural control and stability could contribute to increase falls risk in these patients. We aimed to assess whether postural control and direction-specific limits of stability are altered in cirrhotic patients with MHE compared to patients without MHE and controls. We also assessed if alterations in postural control correlate with neurological impairment and/or blood biomarkers. Methods: Posturography analysis, attention Stroop test and bimanual and visuo-motor coordination tests were performed in 18 controls, 19 patients with cirrhosis without MHE and 17 with MHE, diagnosed by PHES. Posturography was assessed by NedSVE((R))/IBV system under four sensory conditions. Limits of stability and rhythmic weight-shifting tests were also performed. Blood ammonia and serum interleukins were also measured. Falls were assessed after 12-24months follow-up. Results: MHE patients show impaired balance, mainly on unstable surface with eyes open, with longer reaction and confinement times and lower success in Limits of Stability test compared to patients without MHE. Performance in attention and motor coordination tests correlated with most posturography parameters alterations. Logistic regression analysis shows that posturography parameters and bimanual coordination test are good predictors of falls. Conclusion: Balance patterns and limits of stability in MHE patients are impaired compared to patients without MHE and controls. This seems to contribute to a higher falls risk. Attention and motor coordination deficits could contribute to balance impairment in patients with MHE.

Background and aims The psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) is the “gold standard” for minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) diagnosis. Some reports suggest that some cirrhotic patients “without” MHE according to PHES show neurological deficits and other reports that neurological alterations are not homogeneous in all cirrhotic patients. This work aimed to assess whether: 1) a relevant proportion of cirrhotic patients show neurological deficits not detected by PHES; 2) cirrhotic patients with mild neurological deficits are a homogeneous population or may be classified in sub-groups according to specific deficits. Methods Cirrhotic patients “without” (n = 56) or “with” MHE (n = 41) according to PHES and controls (n = 52) performed psychometric tests assessing attention, concentration, mental processing speed, working memory and bimanual and visuomotor coordination. Heterogeneity of neurological alterations was analysed using Hierarchical Clustering Analysis. Results PHES classified as “with” MHE 42% of patients. Around 40% of patients “without” MHE according to PHES fail two psychometric tests. Oral SDMT, d2, bimanual and visuo-motor coordination tests are failed by 54, 51, 51 and 43% of patients, respectively. The earliest neurological alterations are different for different patients. Hierarchical clustering analysis shows that patients “without” MHE according to PHES may be classified in clusters according to the tests failed. In some patients coordination impairment appear before cognitive impairment while in others concentration and attention deficits appear before. Conclusions PHES is not sensitive enough to detect early neurological alterations in a relevant proportion of cirrhotic patients. Oral SDMT, d2 and bimanual and visuo-motor coordination tests are more sensitive. The earliest neurological alterations are different in different cirrhotic patients. These data also have relevant clinical implications. Patients classified as “without MHE” by PHES belonging to clusters 3 and 4 in our study have a high risk of suffering clinical complications, including overt HE and must be diagnosed and clinically followed.

AIM: To assess whether non invasive blood flow measurement by arterial spin labeling in several brain regions detects minimal hepatic encephalopathy. METHODS: Blood flow (BF) was analyzed by arterial spin labeling (ASL) in different brain areas of 14 controls, 24 cirrhotic patients without and 16 cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Images were collected using a 3 Tesla MR scanner (Achieva 3T-TX, Philips, Netherlands). Pulsed ASL was performed. Patients showing MHE were detected using the battery Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) consisting of five tests. Different cognitive and motor functions were also assessed: alterations in selective attention were evaluated using the Stroop test. Patients and controls also performed visuo-motor and bimanual coordination tests. Several biochemical parameters were measured: serum pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-6 and IL-18), 3-nitrotyrosine, cGMP and nitrates+ nitrites in plasma, and blood ammonia. Bivariate correlations were evaluated. RESULTS: In patients with MHE, BF was increased in cerebellar hemisphere (P = 0.03) and vermis (P = 0.012) and reduced in occipital lobe (P = 0.017). BF in cerebellar hemisphere was also increased in patients without MHE (P = 0.02). Bimanual coordination was impaired in patients without MHE (P = 0.05) and much more in patients with MHE (P < 0.0001). Visuo-motor coordination was impaired only in patients with MHE (P < 0.0001). Attention was slightly affected in patients without MHE and more strongly in patients with MHE (P < 0.0001). BF in cerebellar hemisphere and vermis correlated with performance in most tests of PHES [(number connection tests A (NCT-A), B (NCT-B) and line tracing test] and in the congruent task of Stroop test. BF in frontal lobe correlated with NCT-A. Performance in bimanual and visuomotor coordination tests correlated only with BF in cerebellar hemisphere. BF in occipital lobe correlates with performance in the PHES battery and with CFF. BF in cerebellar hemisphere correlates with plasma cGMP and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites. BF in vermis cerebellar also correlates with NO metabolites and with 3-nitrotyrosine. IL-18 in plasma correlates with BF in thalamus and occipital lobe. CONCLUSION: Non invasive BF determination in cerebellum using ASL may detect MHE earlier than the PHES. Altered NO-cGMP pathway seems to be associated to altered BF in cerebellum. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Little attention has been paid to cortical integrity in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), although cognitive functions affected in early stages of liver disease are mainly allocated in different neocortical structures. Here we used cortical surface-based analysis techniques to investigate if patterns of cortical thinning accompany the mildest form of HE. To aim this goal, cortical thickness obtained from high-resolution 31 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was measured in patients with no MHE (NMHE), MHE, and healthy controls. Further correlation analyses were performed to examine whether scores in the critical flicker frequency (CFF) test, and blood ammonia levels accounted for the loss of cortical integrity in different stages of liver disease. Finally, we assessed group differences in volume of different subcortical regions and their potential relationships with CFF scores/blood ammonia levels. Results showed a focal thinning of the superior temporal cortex and precuneus in MHE patients when compared with NMHE and controls. Relationships between blood ammonia levels and cortical thickness of the calcarine sulcus accounted for impaired visual judgment in patients with MHE when compared to NMHE. Regression analyses between cortical thickness and CFF predicted differences between controls and the two groups of HE patients, but failed to discriminate between patients with NMHE and MHE. Taking together, these findings provide the first report of cortical thinning in MHE patients, and they yield novel insights into the neurobiological basis of cognitive impairment associated with early stages of liver diseases. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Attention deficit is an early event in the cognitive impairment of patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an auditory event-related potential that reflects an attentional trigger. Patients with schizophrenia show impaired attention and cognitive function, which are reflected in altered MMN. We hypothesized that patients with MHE, similarly to those with schizophrenia, should show MMN alterations related with attention deficits. The aims of this work were to assess whether (1) MMN is altered in cirrhotic patients with MHE, compared to those without MHE, (2) MMN changes in parallel with performance in attention tests and/or MHE in a longitudinal study, and (3) MMN predicts performance in attention tests and/or in the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES). We performed MMN analysis as well as attention and coordination tests in 34 control subjects and in 37 patients with liver cirrhosis without MHE and 23 with MHE. Patients with MHE show reduced performance in selective and sustained attention tests and in visuomotor and bimanual coordination tests. The MMN wave area was reduced in patients with MHE, but not in those without MHE. In the longitudinal study, MMN area improved in parallel with performance in attention tests and PHES in 4 patients and worsened in parallel in another 4. Logistic regression analyses showed that MMN area predicts performance in attention tests and in PHES, but not in other tests or critical flicker frequency. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that MMN area predicts attention deficits in the number connection tests A and B, Stroop tasks, and MHE, with sensitivities of 75%-90% and specificities of 76%-83%. Conclusion: MMN area is useful to diagnose attention deficits and MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;)

The serum level of alpha-fetoprotein in normal adults is lower than 10 ng/ml. High levels of alpha-fetoprotein in adults are linked to cirrhosis, acute or chronic hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinomas and other pathologies, as well as to foetal malformation, and this protein is therefore used as a regular clinical marker for these diseases. We report a Spanish family in which very high levels of alpha-fetoprotein have been detected in nine members from the screening of a total of 17 relatives. These levels of alpha-fetoprotein are not accompanied by a causing pathology, are inherited as an autosomal dominant genetic trait, and are associated to a G--A substitution at position -116 of the 5'-flanking region of the alpha-fetoprotein gene. This is an unusual benign trait of hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein. This paper provides a detailed clinical report of the family including a study of the molecular basis of this trait. The desirability of a test to detect and/or rule out this benign trait in adults with abnormal levels of alpha-fetoprotein is considered.