15-Year progression to liver cancer in the lack of treatment for lysosomal acid lipase deficiency: A case report.

Rationale: Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is a poorly diagnosed genetic disorder characterized by the accumulation of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in many tissues, leading to dyslipidemia and cardiovascular complications. In the liver, deposits are found within hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, generating microvesicular steatosis, progressive fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Sebelipase alfa is the target therapy which can improve laboratory changes and reduce the progression of liver damage, but this is not yet widely available.

Association between the CYBA and NOX4 genes of NADPH oxidase and its relationship with metabolic syndrome in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Brazilian population.

Background: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the progression of severe forms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NADPH oxidase produces reactive oxygen species. In the present study, we investigated for the first time two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory region of genes encoding NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and p22phox (CYBA) in NAFLD.

β-Blocker therapy for cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: a randomized-controlled trial.

Background: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is characterized by an attenuated contractile response to stress. Long-term exposure of β-adrenergic receptors to persistently high levels of catecholamines has been implicated in its pathogenesis. We hypothesized that β-blockade with metoprolol could reverse the changes in heart function and morphology in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

Hepatitis C virus eradication improves immediate and delayed episodic memory in patients treated with interferon and ribavirin.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with impairment of cognitive function and mood disorders. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on cognitive function and mood disorders.

Method: A prospective exploratory one arm study was conducted.

Accuracy of transient elastography-FibroScan®, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging, the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test, APRI, and the FIB-4 index compared with liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Objectives: Although liver biopsy is the gold standard for determining the degree of liver fibrosis, issues regarding its invasiveness and the small amount of liver tissue evaluated can limit its applicability and interpretation in clinical practice. Non-invasive evaluation methods for liver fibrosis can address some of these limitations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of transient elastography-FibroScan®, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI), enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF), the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and the FIB-4 index compared with liver biopsy in hepatitis C.

Hypolactasia is associated with insulin resistance in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aim: To assess lactase gene (LCT)-13910C>T polymorphisms in Brazilian non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients in comparison with healthy controls.

Methods: This was a transverse observational clinical study with NAFLD patients who were followed at the Hepatology Outpatient Unit of the Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, Brazil. The polymorphism of lactase non-persistence/lactase persistence (LCT-13910C>T) was examined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 102 liver biopsy-proven NAFLD patients (steatosis in 9 and NASH in 93) and compared to those of 501 unrelated healthy volunteers.

Hypocaloric high-protein diet improves clinical and biochemical markers in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Objective: To investigate the role of hypocaloric highprotein diet, a prospective clinical study was conducted in NAFLD patients.

Research Methods And Procedures: Pre-versus post-interventional data were analyzed in 48 stable NAFLD patients (submitted to a hypocaloric high-protein diet during 75 days. Variables included anthropometrics (body mass index/ BMI and waist circumference/WC), whole-body and segmental bioimpedance analysis and biochemical tests.

Serum B-type natriuretic peptide in the initial workup of patients with new onset ascites: a diagnostic accuracy study.

Unlabelled: Heart failure (HF) is, after cirrhosis, the second-most common cause of ascites. Serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) plays an important role in the diagnosis of HF. Therefore, we hypothesized that BNP would be useful in the differential diagnosis of ascites.

Clinical spectrum and therapeutic approach to hepatocellular injury in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Liver dysfunction in patients with hyperthyroidism includes abnormalities associated with the effects of thyroid hormone excess, those secondary to drug-induced liver injury, and changes resulting from concomitant liver disease. Our goal was to describe clinical, biochemical, and histopathological patterns in patients suffering from hyperthyroidism and concomitant liver dysfunction and to propose an algorithm of procedures to facilitate diagnosis and management of such cases. This study describes seven patients with liver biochemistry abnormalities detected after diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and one with undiagnosed decompensated hyperthyroidism and acute hepatitis.

Lactose intolerance: diagnosis, genetic, and clinical factors.

Most people are born with the ability to digest lactose, the major carbohydrate in milk and the main source of nutrition until weaning. Approximately 75% of the world's population loses this ability at some point, while others can digest lactose into adulthood. This review discusses the lactase-persistence alleles that have arisen in different populations around the world, diagnosis of lactose intolerance, and its symptomatology and management.

Combination of N-acetylcysteine and metformin improves histological steatosis and fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aim: There is no proven medical therapy for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Oxidative stress and insulin resistance are the mechanisms that seem to be mostly involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in combination with metformin (MTF) in improving the aminotransferases and histological parameters (steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning, and fibrosis) after 12 months of treatment.