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Alcoholic hepatitis, a common cause of liver failure, lacks effective treatment. Here, the authors show altered hepatic HNF4a isoform expression and hypermethylation of its target genes in patients. HNF4a dysregulation is improved in vitro by TGFb or PPARg modulation suggesting potential therapeutic avenues.

Background and Aims: The Spanish prison population includes two groups: people in prison and those who are serving non-custodial sentences. The latter has not yet been studied. This study aims to describe this population and the results of a test-and-treat strategy for hepatitis C including a holistic health assessment. Method: This prospective study included all subjects serving non-custodial sentences at the Center for Social Integration. It was assisted by the medical team, a navigator, and a systematic screening of HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) performed by point-of-care tests. All cases with active infection are evaluated using telemedicine by a specialist to prescribe antiviral treatment. The navigator facilitates continuity for medical and social assistance. Results: The screening rate reached 92.8% (548/590). HCV seroprevalence and viraemia prevalence were 8% (44) and 2.9% (16), respectively. Regarding comorbidities: problems related to drug dependence were detected in 264 (48.2%), suspected serious mental disorder in 44 (8.3%), and previous stay in prison in 122 cases (22.2%). The navigator monitored 59 (15.2%) patients regarding HCV treatment or comorbidities. All patients (10/10) completing 12 weeks follow-up achieved sustained virological response. Conclusions: The population serving non-custodial sentences is a challenging group with a high prevalence of HCV infection. Micro-elimination programs using point of care diagnostic tests, telemedicine, and a navigator are necessary in this underserved vulnerable population.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is harmful to human health. In recent years, consumption patterns of alcoholic beverages have changed in our society, and binge drinking has generalized. It is considered to be a socio-sanitary problem with few known consequences in terms of individual and third-party social impacts (in the form of violence or traffic accidents) and its organic impact (affects the liver and other organs and systems, such as the nervous and cardiovascular systems) and represents an important financial burden due to its increasing economic impact. This review provides a global approach to binge drinking and emphasizes its epidemiological character, the effect of this type of consumption and the possible management of a problem with an increasing tendency in our society.

Aim: To investigate the plasma levels of betatrophin in patients with cirrhosis., Methods: Forty patients diagnosed at the clinic with liver cirrhosis according to biological, ultrasonographic, or histological criteria were included. The severity of cirrhosis was classified according to Pugh's modification of Child's classification and MELD score. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed by the Homeostasis Model Assessment. A total of 20 patients showed a MELD score higher than 14. The control group consisted in 15 sex-and aged-matched subjects. Fasting blood samples were obtained for subsequent analysis. Serum insulin was determined by Liaison automated immune chemiluminiscence assay (DiaSorin S.p.A.) using a sandwich assay. The sensitivity of the assay was 0.2 μU/mL. The intra and interassay variation coefficients were < 4% and < 10%, respectively. The normal values were between 2 and 17 μU/mL. Human active betatrophin was analyzed by specific quantitative sandwich ELISA (Aviscera Bioscience). The sensitivity of the assay was 0.4 ng/mL, and the intra and interassay reproducibility were < 6% and < 10%, respectively., Results: Plasma betatrophin levels were significantly increased in patients with cirrhosis compared with those in healthy subjects (P = 0.0001). Betatrophin levels were also associated with disease severity, being higher in Child-Pugh C patients compared to Child-Pugh B (P < 0.0005) and in patients who displayed a MELD score higher than 14 points compared to patients with lower punctuation (P = 0.01). In addition, we found a positive correlation between plasma betatrophin levels and the severity of cirrhosis according to Child-Pugh classification (r = 0.53; P < 0.01) or MELD score (r = 0.45; P < 0.01). In the overall cohort, a moderate correlation between serum betatrophin and plasmatic bilirrubin (r = 0.39; P < 0.01) has been observed, as well as an inverse correlation between betatrophin and albumin (r = -0.41; P < 0.01) or prothrombin time (r = -0.44; P <0.01). Moreover, insulin resistance was observed in 82.5% of the cirrhotic patients. In this group of patients, betatrophin levels were significantly higher than those in the group of patients without IR (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Plasma betatrophin is increased in patients with cirrhosis. This increase is related to the severity of cirrhosis, as well as with the emergence of insulin resistance.