Myeloperoxidase and calprotectin; Any role as non-invasive markers for the prediction of ınflammation and fibrosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis?

Background/aims: Specific serum markers reflecting hepatic inflammation and fibrosis are required to tailor the treatment strategies in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We aimed to investigate the roles of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and calprotectin in predicting the hepatic inflammation status and disease severity in NASH.

Materials And Methods: A total of 48 patients with biopsy-proven NASH and 25 healthy volunteers with normal weight were prospectively enrolled.

A large Turkish pedigree with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome carrying a rare mutation: c.1680_1683 del TGAG.

Background And Aims: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by tumors arising from endocrine glands with no specific genotype-phenotype correlation. Herein, we report the largest Turkish kindred with MEN1 inherited a scarce MEN1 mutation gene.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-four year-old man, referred to our gastroenterology outpatient clinic for evaluation of pancreatic mass lesion, was diagnosed with MEN1-syndrome after endoscopic ultrasound guided sampling of the mass revealing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET), and accompanying primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and pituitary tumor.

External validation of the Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index in Turkish cirrhotic patients.

Objectives: Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index is developed to stratify cirrhotic patients according to 10-year hepatocellular carcinoma risk. We aimed to validate the performance of Toronto hepatocellular carcinoma risk index in a large Turkish cohort.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the database of 1287 cirrhotic patients followed-up in a 10-year period (February 2008 to January 2018).

Mesenchymal stem cells suppress hepatic fibrosis accompanied by expanded intrahepatic natural killer cells in rat fibrosis model.

Natural killer (NK) cells have antifibrotic effects. We have evaluated the influence of rat bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) treatment on liver histology, biochemical liver function tests, systemic immunoregulatory state and NK cell distribution in liver and peripheral blood in rat model of common bile duct (CBD) ligation and compared the results with the control group. Rats were divided into three groups: (1) CBD ligated (CBDL) rats received phosphate-buffered saline (CBDL + PBS group) or (2) MSC (CBDL + MSC group) and sham-operated rats received MSC (healthy + MSC group).

Advanced endoscopic ultrasound management techniques for preneoplastic pancreatic cystic lesions.

Pancreatic cystic lesions can be benign, premalignant or malignant. The recent increase in detection and tremendous clinical variability of pancreatic cysts has presented a significant therapeutic challenge to physicians. Mucinous cystic neoplasms are of particular interest given their known malignant potential.

Small EUS-suspected gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach: An overview for the current state of management.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with the stomach being the most common site. They represent a distinct group of GI tumors originating from the interstitial cells of Cajal and are characterized by gain-of-function mutations of KIT. KIT oncoprotein serves as both diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is Associated with Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Although the link between MetS and erectile dysfunction (ED) is well known, clinical studies investigating the association between NAFLD and ED are scant.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between NAFLD and ED.

Saccharomyces boulardii ameliorates clarithromycin- and methotrexate-induced intestinal and hepatic injury in rats.

Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic used for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. We aimed to investigate whether S. boulardii could alter the effects of clarithromycin (CLA) and methotrexate (MTX) on oro-caecal intestinal transit and oxidative damage in rats.

Effects of sitagliptin in diabetic patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background & Aims: Preliminary evidence suggests that inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV preserves pancreatic beta cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, its effects on liver histology in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic complication of diabetes, have not yet been adequately explored. The present open-label, single-arm observational pilot study investigated the effects of one year of treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor, sitagliptin, on liver histology, body mass index (BMI), and laboratory parameters in NASH patients with T2D.

Synchronous appearance of gastrointestinal stromal tumor and neuroendocrine tumor in stomach: review of the literature and management strategies.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors represent the most common mesenchymal tumor of the digestive tract. Although the stomach is the most common location for gastrointestinal stromal tumor with the co-primary tumors, the synchronous appearance of a neuroendocrine tumor and gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the stomach is rare. We present here the case of a 48-year-old male with gastric well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor and gastrointestinal stromal tumor discovered incidentally during surgical treatment of the neuroendocrine tumor.

Computed tomography in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a useful tool for hepatosteatosis assessment?

The value and/or limitations of computed tomography (CT) in assessment of hepatosteatosis are not well studied in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We prospectively evaluated the accuracy of CT in assessing the amount of hepatosteatosis in NAFLD patients and the impact of demographic and histopathologic variables on CT images. Forty patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were eligible.

Colloid scintigraphy in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: a conventional diagnostic method for an emerging disease.

Aim: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive liver disease characterized by diffuse fatty infiltration and Kupffer cell dysfunction which contributes to its pathogenesis. Since the liver biopsy, which is considered the 'gold standard' in diagnosing NASH, has some limitations other imaging methods have been explored as alternatives. Colloid scintigraphy is a good method reflecting Kupffer cell activity and we found it worthwhile to evaluate this technique in NASH.

Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii in prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea due to Helicobacterpylori eradication.

Background And Aim: Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea may develop during or following Helicobacter pylori eradication. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in patients receiving antibiotics for H. pylori eradication.

Octreotide in liver cirrhosis: a salvage for variceal bleeding can be a gunshot for kidneys.

Background: The renal effects of octreotide, used for bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhosis, are controversial.

Methods: Fourteen cirrhotic patients (Child-Pugh; A/B/C: 1/12/1) were enrolled. Plasma nitrite and endothelin (ET) levels, urinary nitrite output, free water clearance (FWC) and fractional excretion of filtered sodium (FENa) were measured and renal Doppler ultrasound was carried out.

Extraorbital sebaceous carcinoma with rapidly developing visceral metastases.

Background: Extraorbital sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a rare carcinoma of the skin but is known to have a good prognosis in terms of metastasis and survival.

Objective: To discuss and emphasize through the clinical and histopathologic findings and the aggressive potential of extraorbital SC and to review the corresponding literature.

Methods: We present an unusual form of extraorbital SC that has followed an aggressive course and that has metastasized rapidly.