Intermittent fasting and the liver: Focus on the Ramadan model.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an intervention that involves not only dietary modifications but also behavioral changes with the main core being a period of fasting alternating with a period of controlled feeding. The duration of fasting differs from one regimen to another. Ramadan fasting (RF) is a religious fasting for Muslims, it lasts for only one month every one lunar year.

Unraveling IL-17 and IL-22 role in occult hepatitis C versus chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: Cytokines play a crucial role in regulating the function of the immune system by controlling the production, differentiation, and activity of immune cells. Occult hepatitis C virus (OHCV) infection can lead to liver damage, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study investigates the immunopathogenic impact of the cytokines IL-17 and IL-22 in OHCV infection compared to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis C-Related Cirrhosis: Are Advanced Glycation End Products a Key Driver?

Background And Purpose: The advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been implicated in different diseases' pathogenesis, but their role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a matter of debate. This study aims to investigate the association of AGEs with HCC development in patients with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis.

Methods: Only 153 of the 181 non-diabetic patients with cirrhosis were consecutively involved in this pilot cohort prospective study, along with 34 healthy control participants.

Study of Uromodulin Gene Polymorphism in Egyptian Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease.

Uromodulin (UMOD) gene polymorphism has been linked with end-stage renal disease. In this research, we studied the prevalence of UMOD rs42993393 T>C in Egyptian hemodialysis (HD) patients and the blood level of UMOD in those patients. The study was a case-control study and included 100 patients on regular HD and 100 healthy control subjects.

Portal Vein Thrombosis in Non-Cirrhotic Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A 9-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Approximately 30-40% of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) remains of unknown origin. The association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and PVT is a matter of debate. This study aimed to investigate the association between PVT and NAFLD.

Ramadan fasting and liver diseases: A review with practice advices and recommendations.

Ramadan fasting is obligatory for Muslim healthy adults. However, there are many exemptions from fasting; including patients, whose diseases will be aggravated by fasting. Muslim patients with different liver diseases are frequently seen in the clinics discussing their intent to fast this month with their treating physicians.

Advanced Glycation End Products as a Predictor of Diabetes Mellitus in Chronic Hepatitis C-Related Cirrhosis.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were found to be involved in the pathogenesis of various disorders. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is the major cause of liver cirrhosis development and glucose metabolism alteration. We aimed to explore the association of AGEs with the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with cirrhosis in this study.

as an Initiating Factor of Complications in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Single-Center Observational Study.

The relationship between liver cirrhosis and () is a debatable matter. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible association between infection and liver cirrhosis. A single-center prospective cohort pilot study of 558 patients with cirrhosis was followed up for 1 year.

Endothelin-1/Nitric Oxide Ratio as a Predictive Factor of Response to Therapy With Terlipressin and Albumin in Patients With Type-1 Hepatorenal Syndrome.

Background And Purpose: Predictors of response to type-1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) therapy are urgently needed. This study's purpose is to evaluate the proposed predictors in these patients.

Methods: Forty-two type-1 HRS patients with cirrhosis were treated with albumin and terlipressin.

Recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis: novel predictors.

Background And Aims: Recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is still a matter of debate. We conducted this study to evaluate the probable factors that predict the recurrence of SBP in patients who recovered from the first episode of SBP and the long-term outcomes of SBP recurrence.

Methods: One hundred twenty-four patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, SBP and did not receive secondary prophylaxis either with norfloxacin or other antibiotics were included in this prospective cohort pilot study.

Mansoura simple scoring system for prediction of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: lesson learnt.

Background And Objective: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common bacterial infection with life-threatening sequelae in cirrhotic ascites. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to recognize the predictors of SBP to build up a noninvasive system to exclude or establish an episode of SBP.

Patients And Methods: Of 1194 consecutive patients with cirrhotic ascites, only 966 patients were enrolled in this study.

Helicobacter pylori and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A new enigma?

Background And Aim: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a matter of debate. We achieved this prospective work to study whether H.

Rifaximin in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: hit multiple targets with a single shot.

Background/aims: The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may include increased insulin resistance, upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, lipopolysaccharide, and BMI. Rifaximin is a minimally absorbable antibiotic that might act against a broad spectrum of gut bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rifaximin on NAFLD.

Homocysteine: a new diagnostic marker in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Background And Aims: The diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) depends primarily on a polymorphonuclear leukocyte cell count more than 250/mm. This method is invasive, and not diagnostic in all variants of SBP; we aimed to assess serum homocysteine as a precise indicative marker for the diagnosis of all variants of SBP.

Patients And Methods: A total 323 consecutive ascitic patients were registered in this prospective work.

New predictive factors of poor response to therapy in autoimmune hepatitis: role of mean platelet volume.

Background And Objectives: The response to immunosuppressive therapy in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a matter of debate. The aim of this work is to identify the histological, biochemical, and clinical predictive factors of incomplete response/treatment failure to the standard treatment (prednisone with or without azathioprine) in a well-characterized series of AIH Egyptian patients.

Patients And Methods: Of 49 AIH patients, only 36 patients completed this retrospective cohort study.

Do we need to screen for de-novo diabetes mellitus in chronic hepatitis C patients after a sustained virological response?

Background And Aim: There are millions of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus-infected patients who have been treated with a combination therapy (interferon and ribavirin) and have achieved a virological response (SVR) worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors for de-novo diabetes mellitus in CHC patients treated with combination therapy (interferon and ribavirin) and have achieved an SVR.

Patients And Methods: A total of 214 nondiabetic CHC patients with SVR and baseline homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) less than or equal to 2 were divided into group A, which included 108 patients with a BMI less than 25, and group B, which included 106 patients with a BMI of at least 25 and less than 30.

A Novel Combination of C-Reactive Protein and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Differential Diagnosis of Ascites.

Background And Aims: Ascites with unknown cause remains a diagnostic challenge, which needs novel noninvasive biomarkers for the precise diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the ascitic fluid and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as diagnostic markers in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign ascites.

Methods: In this prospective work, 315 consecutive patients with ascites were studied.

The role of antioxidants and zinc in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized trial.

Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) has a far-reaching impact on quality and function ability in daily life and may progress to overt hepatic encephalopathy. There is a synergistic effect between systemic oxidative stress and ammonia that is implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of oral supplementation of antioxidants and zinc gluconate on MHE versus lactulose.

C-reactive protein and insulin-like growth factor-1 in differential diagnosis of ascites.

Background And Aim: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are produced mainly by the liver; the output of these markers in response to inflammatory processes may be affected in patients with hepatic dysfunction. This may explain the differences in IGF-1 and CRP values in patients with non-portal and portal hypertension ascites. We aimed to evaluate serum and ascitic fluid IGF-1 and CRP as diagnostic markers in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ascites.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Malignant and Benign Biliary Obstructions.

Background: Despite the presence of various diagnostic tools, the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign biliary obstructions is so difficult. This study aimed to evaluate the role of serum and biliary insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in this differential diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: Patients (n = 109, 61 men and 48 women) with diagnosis of benign (n = 62) or malignant (n = 47) biliary obstruction were included.

Could serotonin be a potential marker for hepatocellular carcinoma? A prospective single-center observational study.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer mortality among men worldwide. Serotonin is a biogenic amine, which may be involved in the tumorigenesis of HCC.

Aim: We aimed to determine whether serotonin is a dependable marker for the diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients in comparison with α-fetoprotein protein (AFP) and prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II).

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a reliable marker to predict insulin resistance and fibrosis stage in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most noxious infectious diseases. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) had biochemical evidence of insulin resistance (IR). The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) integrates information on the inflammatory milieu and physiological stress.

Elevated serum α-fetoprotein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 4: not the end of the story.

Background And Aim: Elevated serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) is not uncommonly seen among patients with chronic hepatitis C. This study aimed to identify clinical characteristics, histological characteristics, and biochemical markers associated with increased serum AFP levels in hepatitis C virus genotype 4-infected patients with no evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and to determine the effect of lifestyle modification on these parameters.

Methods: The study included 447 chronic hepatitis C patients with no evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and 100 healthy controls.