Rifaximin prophylaxis in MASLD‑hepatocellular carcinoma: Lessons from a negative animal model.

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been rising, particularly among individuals diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. In the present study, the prophylactic effects of rifaximin (RIF) on HCC, inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risk (CVR) were investigated in an animal model. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into three groups (n=10, each): Control [standard diet/water plus gavage with vehicle (Veh)], HCC [high-fat choline deficient diet (HFCD)/diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in drinking water/Veh gavage] and RIF [HFCD/DEN/RIF (50 mg/kg/day) gavage] groups.

Disparities in screening and risk stratification for hispanic adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background Aims: Cut-points for non-invasive tests (NITs) for risk stratification in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) were derived from predominantly non-Hispanic populations. It is unknown if these cut-points perform adequately in Hispanic individuals. We assessed the performance characteristics of current NIT cut-points among Hispanic patients and determined whether they could be further optimized.

Global prevalence and characteristics of infections and clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients with cirrhosis: a prospective cohort study for the CLEARED Consortium.

Background: Infections have a poor prognosis in inpatients with cirrhosis. We aimed to determine regional variations in infections and their association with clinical outcomes in a global cohort of inpatients with cirrhosis.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study initiated by the CLEARED Consortium, we enrolled adults (aged >18 years) with cirrhosis who were non-electively admitted to 98 hospitals from 26 countries or regions across six continents between Nov 5, 2021, and Dec 10, 2022.

Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes/Proteobacteria ratios are associated with worse prognosis in a cohort of Latin American patients with cirrhosis.

Background: Some evidence suggests an association between gut dysbiosis and cirrhosis progression. The authors investigated Gut Microbiome (GM) influence on 90-day mortality and hospitalization/rehospitalization rates in cirrhotic patients.

Methods: Compensated/decompensated outpatients and decompensated inpatients were prospectively included and compared to healthy controls.

Redefining the Role of Ornithine Aspartate and Vitamin E in Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease through Its Biochemical Properties.

It is known that the inflammation process leading to oxidative stress and thyroid hormone metabolism dysfunction is highly altered in metabolic dysfunction associated with steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study aims to address the effect of ornithine aspartate (LOLA) and vitamin E (VitE) in improving these processes. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five groups and treated for 28 weeks: controls ( = 10) received a standard diet (for 28 weeks) plus gavage with distilled water (DW) from weeks 16 to 28.

Transarterial embolization is an acceptable bridging therapy to hepatocellular carcinoma prior to liver transplantation.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignant neoplasm that requires liver transplantation (LT). Despite patients with HCC being prioritized by most organ allocation systems worldwide, they still have to wait for long periods. Locoregional therapies (LRTs) are employed as bridging therapies in patients with HCC awaiting LT.

Probiotic supplementation for 24 weeks in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: the PROBILIVER randomized clinical trial.

Background And Aim: Considering the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and treatment gaps, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on liver function markers, nutritional status, and clinical parameters.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT0346782) included adult outpatients with biopsy-proven NASH.

COMPARISON OF GUT MICROBIOTA IN ALCOHOLIC AND METABOLIC-DYSFUNCION ASSOCIATED STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE IN ANIMAL MODELS.

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are common, and gut microbiota (GM) is involved with both. Here we compared GM composition in animal models of MASLD and ALD to assess whether there are specific patterns for each disease.

Methods: MASLD model- adult male Sprague Dawley rats, randomized into two groups: MASLD-control (n=10) fed a standard diet; MASLD-group (n=10) fed a high-fat-choline-deficient diet for 16 weeks.

Extracellular Vesicles and Their Correlation with Inflammatory Factors in an Experimental Model of Steatotic Liver Disease Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising as a biomarker of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The objective is to study EVs and their involvement in MASLD concerning the disease's pathogenesis and progression characteristics. Male adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into two experimental models of MASLD: MASLD-16 and MASLD-28, animals received a choline-deficient high-fat diet (CHFD) and Control-16 and Control-28, animals received a standard diet (SD) for 16 and 28 weeks, respectively.

High red meat consumption among PNPLA3 polymorphism carriers is associated with NAFLD in a multi-center cross-sectional study.

Background & Aim: Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene (PNPLA3) polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with evidence for potential interaction with nutrition. However, the combination of meat consumption with genetic polymorphism has not been tested. Therefore, this study aims to test the association between the joint presence of PNPLA3 rs738409 G-allele with high meat consumption and NAFLD in populations with diverse meat consumption.

Metabolic disease and the liver: A review.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 31% in Latin America. The presence of metabolic comorbidities coexisting with liver disease varies substantially among populations. It is acknowledged that obesity is boosting the type 2 diabetes mellitus "epidemic," and both conditions are significant contributors to the increasing number of patients with MASLD.

PROGNOSTIC FACTORS OF LIVER TRANSPLANTATION FOR ACUTE-ON-CHRONIC LIVER FAILURE.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is the only treatment that can provide long-term survival for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Although several studies identify prognostic factors for patients in ACLF who do not undergo LT, there is scarce literature about prognostic factors after LT in this population.

Aim: Evaluate outcomes of ACLF patients undergoing LT, studying prognostic factors related to 1-year and 90 days post-LT.

Liver transplantation in Latin America: reality and challenges.

Healthcare systems in Latin America are broadly heterogeneous, but all of them are burdened by a dramatic rise in liver disease. Some challenges that these countries face include an increase in patients requiring a transplant, insufficient rates of organ donation, delayed referral, and inequitable or suboptimal access to liver transplant programs and post-transplant care. This could be improved by expanding the donor pool through the implementation of education programs for citizens and referring physicians, as well as the inclusion of extended criteria donors, living donors and split liver transplantation.

Brazilian evidence-based guideline for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adult individuals with overweight or obesity: A joint position statement from the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM), Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH), and Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (Abeso).

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is one of the most common hepatic diseases in individuals with overweight or obesity. In this context, a panel of experts from three medical societies was organized to develop an evidence-based guideline on the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of MASLD.

Material And Methods: A MEDLINE search was performed to identify randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, cohort studies, observational studies, and other relevant studies on NAFLD.

Celiac trunk stenosis by median arcuate ligament in orthotopic liver transplantation: a potential hidden foe to the biliary tree.

Background: Celiac trunk compression by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) increases the risk of ischemic complications following gastrointestinal surgical procedures. Previous studies suggest increased risk of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of untreated MAL compression (MAL-C) on biliary complications in OLT.

HLA-G 3'UTR haplotype analyses in HCV infection and HCV-derived cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and fibrosis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease. Chronic HCV infection is also an important cause of hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCV has the capacity to evade immune surveillance by altering the host immune response.

Gut mycobiota changes in liver diseases: A systematic review.

Intestinal fungi play an important role in the health-disease process. We observed that in liver diseases, fungal infections lead to high mortality. In this review, we were able to gather and evaluate the available scientific evidence on intestinal mycobiota and liver diseases.

Low hepatic artery resistive index on Doppler ultrasound performed on the first post-liver transplant day is associated both with hepatic artery thrombosis and decreased graft survival.

Purpose: Although liver transplantation (LT) outcomes have improved significantly over the last decades, early vascular complications are still associated with elevated risks of graft failure. Doppler ultrasound (DUS) enables detection of vascular complications, provides hepatic artery Resistive Index (RI). The aim of our study was to evaluate the association of the RI parameters of DUS performed in the first post-transplant week with post-transplant outcomes.

Genetic Ancestry, Race, and Severity of Acutely Decompensated Cirrhosis in Latin America.

Background & Aims: Genetic ancestry or racial differences in health outcomes exist in diseases associated with systemic inflammation (eg, COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the association of genetic ancestry and race with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), which is characterized by acute systemic inflammation, multi-organ failure, and high risk of short-term death.

Methods: This prospective cohort study analyzed a comprehensive set of data, including genetic ancestry and race among several others, in 1274 patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis who were nonelectively admitted to 44 hospitals from 7 Latin American countries.