Splenectomy ameliorates portal pressure and anemia in animal models of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Purpose: Portal hypertension (PH)-associated splenomegaly is caused by portal venous congestion and splanchnic hyperemia. This can trigger hypersplenism, which favors the development of cytopenia. We investigated the time-dependent impact of splenectomy on portal pressure and blood cell counts in animal models of non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic PH.

Dysbalanced sex hormone status is an independent predictor of decompensation and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aims: Endocrinological abnormalities, including low testosterone levels, are prevalent in cirrhosis. We assessed sexual hormone status in regard to hemodynamic abnormalities and its impact on hepatic decompensation and survival.

Methods: Males with cirrhosis were prospectively included in this study since 2010.

Correction: Different enteral nutrition formulas have no effect on glucose homeostasis but on diet-induced thermogenesis in critically ill medical patients: a randomized controlled trial.

After publication, the author noticed that Table 2 was incorrectly formatted for the final PDF despite being correct in earlier proofs. The table was correct in the HTML version of the article. The EJCN apologizes for the inadvertent error in the formatting of Table 2.

Different enteral nutrition formulas have no effect on glucose homeostasis but on diet-induced thermogenesis in critically ill medical patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background/objectives: Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients and associated with increased mortality. It has been suggested that different nutrition formulas may beneficially influence glucose levels in surgical intensive care patients. In this prospective randomized clinical cohort study we investigated glucose homeostasis in response to different enteral nutrition formulas in medical critically ill patients.

Erectile dysfunction in cirrhosis is impacted by liver dysfunction, portal hypertension, diabetes and arterial hypertension.

Background: Although several risk factors for erectile dysfunction may be present in patients with cirrhosis, data on the actual prevalence and cause of erectile dysfunction is limited. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) is a well-validated survey to determine the presence and severity of erectile dysfunction in men. We assessed (i) the prevalence and severity of erectile dysfunction, and (ii) risk factors for erectile dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis.

The FXR agonist PX20606 ameliorates portal hypertension by targeting vascular remodelling and sinusoidal dysfunction.

Background & Aims: Steroidal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists demonstrated potent anti-fibrotic activities and lowered portal hypertension in experimental models. The impact of the novel non-steroidal and selective FXR agonist PX20606 on portal hypertension and fibrosis was explored in this study.

Methods: In experimental models of non-cirrhotic (partial portal vein ligation, PPVL, 7days) and cirrhotic (carbon tetrachloride, CCl, 14weeks) portal hypertension, PX20606 (PX,10mg/kg) or the steroidal FXR agonist obeticholic acid (OCA,10mg/kg) were gavaged.