Correlación entre glucemia basal y alanina aminotransferasas en pacientes con y sin diabetes de un policlínico de Lima, Perú

Introducción: la alanina aminotransferasa es un nexo importante en el metabolismo de aminoácidos y carbohidratos, asimismo es un marcador de inflamación hepática. Estudios previos mostraron la relación entre la diabetes mellitus y esta enzima bajo diferentes contextos clínicos. Objetivo: evaluar la correlación entre glucosa basal y alanina aminotransferasa tanto en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 como sin ella. Metodología: estudio observacional, analítico y transversal realizado desde enero de 2021 a junio de 2022 con una población de 566 pacientes dividida en grupos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (n 224) y sin diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (n 342). Fueron incluidos los pacientes de edad igual o mayor a 18 años con y sin diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Se excluyó a pacientes con patologías múltiples y/o con diagnóstico de diabetes inferior a 6 meses. Se realizó el análisis inferencial con la prueba de correlación de Spearman y la prueba de normalidad de Kolmogorov-Smirnov. Los datos fueron procesados con el software SPSS statistics 25™. Resultados: la correlación entre glucosa y alanina aminotransferasa en sujetos sin diabetes fue 0,212 (p=0,003) y la correlación entre glucosa y alanina aminotransferasa en aquellos con diabetes fue -0,434 (p=0,015). Conclusiones: la alanina aminotransferasa se relaciona con mayor intensidad en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que en aquellos sin diabetes. La correlación moderada y negativa en sujetos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 indicaría alteraciones en la interacción entre la alanina aminotransferasa y la glucosa en los que la hiperglucemia sostenida tendría un papel relevante, probablemente por un incremento en la actividad de transaminación.

Introduction: Alanine aminotransferase is an important nexus in the metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates, and is also a marker of liver inflammation. Previous studies showed the relationship between diabetes mellitus and this enzyme under different clinical contexts. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between basal glucose and alanine aminotransferase both in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: Observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study conducted from January 2021 to June 2022 with a population of 566 patients divided into groups with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n 224) and without it (n 342). Patients aged 18 years or older with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. Patients with multiple pathologies and/or diagnosed with diabetes less than 6 months were excluded. Inferential analysis was performed with Spearman's correlation test and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test. The data was processed with the SPSS statistics 25™ software. Results: The correlation between glucose and alanine aminotransferase in subjects without diabetes was 0.212 (p=0.003) and the correlation between glucose and alanine aminotransferase in those with diabetes was -0.434 (p=0.015). Conclusions: Alanine aminotransferase is associated with greater intensity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in those without diabetes. The moderate and negative correlation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus would indicate alterations in the interaction between alanine aminotransferase and glucose in which sustained hyperglycemia would play a relevant role, probably due to an increase in transamination activity.

Prognostic value of AST/ALT ratio combined with APTT regimen in NVAF patients receiving rivaroxaban anticoagulant therapy / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of the ratio of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) combined with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) treated with rivaroxaban.Methods:One hundred and twenty-two elderly patients with NVAF who were anticoagulated with rivaroxaban from June 2020 to June 2021 in the Third Central Hospital of Tianjin were enrolled and divided into four groups based on the median method. The patients in the Q1 group ( n = 32) have low AST/ALT/low APTT. The patients in the Q2 group ( n = 27) have low AST/ALT/high APTT. The patients in the Q3 group ( n = 29) have high AST/ALT/low APTT. The patients in the Q4 group ( n = 34) have high AST/ALT/high APTT. The efficacy endpoint events, and safety endpoint events were analyzed in the four groups, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for the composite endpoint events. Results:The effectiveness endpoint events were mainly cardiovascular deaths, the number of which in the Q1 to Q4 groups was 0 (0), 1 (3.70%), 4 (13.79%), and 5 (14.71%), respectively. The safety endpoint events were mainly non-major bleeding events, the number of which in the Q1 to Q4 groups was 5 (15.62%), 2 (7.41%), 6 (20.69%), and 5 (14.71%), respectively. Compared to the Q1 group, the Q4 group had an increased risk of composite endpoint events after incorporating traditional risk factor correction ( HR: 3.851, 95% CI: 1.167 to 12.704). Conclusions:AST/ALT ratio combined with APTT can provide risk stratification for distant bleeding and cardiovascular adverse events in elderly NVAF patients treated with rivaroxaban anticoagulation and has some predictive value for their prognosis.

Thoughts on expert opinion on expanding antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B / 临床肝胆病杂志

Expanding antiviral therapy is currently the new trend for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, and related research evidence should be studied and discussed. Reducing the threshold of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) for initiating antiviral therapy is one of the most important changes during the expansion of antiviral therapy. Chronic hepatitis B patients with a low-level increase in ALT or a high normal level of ALT still have a higher risk of liver cancer and thus require further intervention. At present, nucleos(t)ide analogues show a certain clinical effect in some patients in terms of virological inhibition and improvement in fibrosis, while reducing ALT threshold places higher requirements for biochemical response after treatment. In addition, although the mechanism and definition of low-level viremia (LLV) after treatment remain unclear, further intervention of LLV is an important strategy for optimizing patient management in clinical practice. Switch to another potent nucleos(t)ide analogue may improve the virologic response rate of patients with LLV, and nucleos(t)ide analogues combined with interferon or other new targeted drugs will be an important research direction for the treatment of LLV in the future.

Predictors and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with liver injury

Objective@#To determine incidence, predictors, and impact of liver injury among hospitalized COVID-19 patients@*Methods@#This is a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at the University of the PhilippinesPhilippine General Hospital. Liver injury (LI) was defined as ALT elevation above institutional cut-off (>50 u/L) and was classified as mild (>1x to 3x ULN), moderate (>3x to 5x ULN), or severe (>5x ULN). Significant liver injury (SLI) was defined as moderate to severe LI. Univariate analysis of SLI predictors was performed. The impact of LI on clinical outcomes was determined and adjusted for known predictors -age, sex, and comorbidities.@*Results@#Of the 1,131 patients, 565 (50.04%) developed LI. SLI was associated with male sex, alcohol use, chronic liver disease, increasing COVID-19 severity, high bilirubin, AST, LDH, CRP, and low lymphocyte count and albumin. An increasing degree of LI correlated with ICU admission. Only severe LI was associated with the risk of invasive ventilation (OR: 3.54, p=0.01) and mortality (OR: 2.76, p=0.01). Severe LI, male sex, cardiovascular disease, and malignancy were associated with longer hospital stay among survivors.@*Conclusion@#The liver injury occurred commonly among COVID-19 patients and was associated with important clinicodemographic characteristics. Severe liver injury increases the risk of adverse outcomes among hospitalized patients.

Exploration on ALT threshold for initiating antiviral therapy in chronic HBV-infected patients based on results of 707 liver puncture cases / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To explore the threshold of ALT for initiating antiviral therapy in HBV infected patients, and to provide a basis for initiating antiviral therapy in chronic HBV-infected patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study recruited 707 consecutive treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients undergoing diagnostic liver biopsy in the department of infectious diseases of the Affiliated Hospital of Yan′an University from October 2013 to August 2018. Liver biopsy specimens were obtained under ultrasound guidance using Menghini 16G disposable needles. The METAVIR scoring system, which is commonly used internationally, was used to divide the patients into the group with mild liver tissue injury and the group with significant liver tissue injury, and the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured separately. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of ALT for significant liver tissue injury under different demographic characteristics. Results Of 707 patients, 292 (41.30%) had significant liver tissue injury confirmed by liver biopsy (METAVIR ≥A2 and/or F2). When the ULN of ALT was set to NICE criteria (30 U/L for males, 19 U/L for females), AASLD criteria (35 U/L for males, 25 U/L for females) and EASL or APASL criteria (40 U/L for males and females), CHB patients with <ULN accounted for 32.38%, 35.03% and 36.07% of significant liver tissue injury, respectively. And significant liver tissue injury in CHB patients with 1-2×ULN accounted for 41.99%, 41.85% and 50.30%, respectively. The optimal ALT critical values were 33 U/L for overall patients, 25 U/L for females, 45 U/L for males, 45 U/L for ≤30 years olds, 33 U/L for>30 years olds, 22 U/L for HBeAg negative and 31 U/L for HBeAg positive patients. Conclusions The threshold of ALT for initiating antiviral therapy in chronic HBV patients should be individualized, especially should be down-regulated for the females, olders and HBeAg-negative patients.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B patients with normal alanine aminotransferase and not receiving antiviral therapy / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and not receiving antiviral therapy.Methods:This study retrospectively included CHB patients diagnosed by liver biopsy at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2008 to December 2022. According to the HBV DNA and HBeAg status of "immune tolerance period and immune control period", these patients were divided into three groups: chronic HBV carrier group, inactive HBsAg carrier group and indeterminate group including the patients that did not meet the inclusion criteria of the above two groups. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data and ordered categorical data between two groups. Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Results:A total of 284 CHB patients with normal ALT were enrolled. There were 64, 88 and 132 cases in the chronic HBV carrier group, inactive HBsAg carrier group and indeterminate group, respectively. Histopathological analysis revealed that there were 182 (64.08%) cases with pathological inflammation grade (G) and/or fibrosis stage (S)≥2, 155 (54.58%) with S≥2 and 120 (42.25%) with G≥2. The proportion of patients with G and/or S≥2 in the indeterminate group [70.45% (93/132)] was higher than that in the chronic HBV carrier group [48.44% (31/64)] and inactive HBsAg carrier group [65.91% (58/88)] (both P<0.05). Patient′s age and the ratio of patients with S≥2 in the chronic HBV carrier group [33 years old, 39.06% (25/64)] were smaller than those in the inactive HBsAg carrier group [39 years old, 56.82% (50/88)] and the indeterminate group [39 years old, 60.61% (80/132)] (all P<0.05). Patients in the inactive HBsAg carrier group (19 U/L) had lower ALT levels than those in the chronic HBV carrier group (26 U/L) and the indeterminate group (23 U/L) (both P<0.05). The proportion of patients with cytoplasmic/cytoplasmic nuclear-type HBcAg was higher in patients with G and/or S≥2 than in patients with G and S<2 [73.08% (57/78) vs 32.08% (17/53), P<0.05], and the proportion of patients with cytoplasmic/cytoplasmic nuclear-type HBcAg increased gradually with age. The proportion of patients with cytoplasmic/cytoplasmic nuclear-type HBcAg was higher in patients with G and/or S≥2 than in patients with G and S<2 in the chronic HBV carrier status and indeterminate groups [93.33% (28/30) vs 43.33%(13/30), P<0.05; 59.46% (22/37) vs 12.50% (2/16); both P<0.05]. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of significant liver injury between patients≤ 30 years old and >30 years old [52.7% (39/74) vs 68.1% (143/210), P<0.05]. Conclusions:Significant liver injury occurred in 64.08% (182/284) of CHB patients with normal ALT not receiving antiviral therapy, which required the attention of clinicians. Among CHB patients with normal ALT, the expression site of HBcAg in hepatocytes was related to the occurrence of significant liver injury and could be expected to serve as an important indicator for predicting the patient′s status and the necessity of antiviral treatment. CHB patients with positive HBV DNA who were older than 30 years required antiviral treatment, and CHB patients≤30 years with normal ALT and significant hepatic tissue damage also required antiviral treatment.

Retrospective investigation on the normal range of serum alanine aminotransferase levels in healthy adults in Ningbo area / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To reevaluate the upper limit of normal (ULN) of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by retrospectively analyzing the ALT levels in healthy people in Ningbo area.Methods:A total of 56 140 people who underwent health examination and detection of liver biochemical indexes in the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University and Yinzhou Huamao Hospital of Ningbo from 2018 to 2020 were enrolled. After excluding relevant factors that may lead to liver injury, 11 411 people were included to compare the difference of serum ALT levels among different genders and age groups (20 to 29 years, 30 to 39 years, 40 to 49 years and 50 to 59 years) to determine the ALT ULN in different gender groups. Statistical methods were performed using two independent samples t test and analysis of variance. Results:The serum ALT of males was (19.20±7.90) U/L, which was higher than that of females ((13.75±6.17) U/L), with statistical significance ( t=41.16, P<0.001). The serum ALT ULN in males and in females were 35 U/L and 26 U/L, respectively. The serum ALT levels of 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 years old groups were (15.48±7.61) U/L, (16.21±7.40) U/L, (17.36±7.52) U/L and (18.77±7.57) U/L, respectively.The difference was statistically significant ( F=71.51, P<0.001). Serum ALT level in 50 to 59 years old group was higher than that in 20 to 29 years old group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=13.11, P<0.01). In males, the ALT ULN of 20 to 29 years old was the lowest of 34.43 U/L, and highest of 35.29 U/L in 40 to 49 years old. In females, the ALT ULN in the 20 to 29 years old group was the lowest of 23.01 U/L, and the ALT ULN in the 50 to 59 years old group was the highest of 30.79 U/L. ALT ULN increased with age in females. The serum ALT of males was higher than that of females in all age groups ( t=29.55, 26.91, 13.43 and 4.62, respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The serum ALT level is significantly correlated to gender and age. The serum ALT ULNs of healthy adult are 35 U/L in males and 26 U/L in females in Ningbo area.

Efficacy of peginterferon alfa-2a combined with entecavir in sequential treatment of chronic hepatitis B / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of peginterferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFNα-2a) combined with entecavir in sequential treatment of chronic hepatitis B.Methods:A total of 106 patients with chronic hepatitis B who received treatment in Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2020 to February 2022 were included in this study. They were divided into a control group (entecavir treatment, n = 53) and a study group (sequential therapy with Peg-IFNα-2a followed by entecavir, n = 53). Liver function indicators, liver fibrosis indicators, clinical treatment efficacy, and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results:After treatment, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase in the control and study groups were (94.79 ± 8.71) μmol/L and (67.67 ± 9.19) μmol/L, (256.93 ± 44.07) U/L and (186.56 ± 48.37) U/L, (256.47 ± 43.73) U/L and (200.69 ± 41.34) U/L, and they were (140.05 ± 26.15) μmol/L and (141.32 ± 25.35) μmol/L, (433.66 ± 77.16) U/L and (429.77 ± 73.73) U/L, (352.34 ± 65.19) U/L and (354.05 ± 66.13) U/L before the treatment. After treatment, these indexes in each group were decreased compared with before treatment ( t = 19.19, -12.13, -28.85, -20.96, -19.27, -12.03, all P < 0.05). After treatment, these indexes in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = -6.49, -7.30, -6.74, all P < 0.001). After treatment, the levels of hyaluronic acid, laminin, type III procollagen peptide, and type IV collagen in the control and study groups were (124.91 ± 22.99) μg/L and (101.29 ± 22.67) μg/L, (132.71 ± 25.37) μg/L and (110.56 ± 25.49) μg/L, (116.93 ± 20.29) μg/L and (93.14 ± 20.39) μg/L, (63.14 ± 12.19) μg/L and (50.81 ± 11.63) μg/L, and they were (175.73 ± 48.56) μg/L and (177.61 ± 48.51) μg/L, (163.43 ± 41.52) μg/L and (165.57 ± 41.59) μg/L, (139.71 ± 31.75) μg/L and (141.72 ± 31.78) μg/L, (106.97 ± 32.24) μg/L and (104.02 ± 34.12) μg/L before treatment. After treatment, the levels of these indexes in each group were significantly decreased compared with before treatment ( t = -13.04, -8.68, -10.43, -5.82, -13.35, -6.26, -13.02, -10.72, all P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of these indexes in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = -5.32, -4.48, -6.02, -5.32, all P < 0.001). The total response rate in the study group was 88.68% (47/53), which was significantly higher than 62.26% (33/53) in the control group ( χ2 = 9.98, P < 0.05). The HBsAg conversion rate in the study group was 33.96% (18/53), which was significantly higher than 1.32% (6/53) in the control group ( χ2 = 7.75, P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the study and control groups [26.42% (14/53) vs. 30.19% (16/53), χ2 = 0.81, P > 0.05]. Conclusion:Sequential therapy with Peg-IFNα-2a followed by entecavir can effectively improve liver function,reduce liver fibrosis , improve clinical treatment efficacy, and will not increase adverse reactions.

Clinical analysis of 202 patients with drug-induced liver injury / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of drug-induced liver injury and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of drug-induced liver injury.Methods:The clinical data of 202 patients with complete information on drug-induced liver injury who received treatment in First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from November 2018 to November 2021 were collected. The information including gender, age, type and name of drugs taken or exposed, clinical characteristics, autoantibodies, and liver function was statistically analyzed.Results:Among the 202 patients with drug-induced liver injury, 77 patients (38.1%) were male and 125 patients (61.9%) were female. Age distribution was mainly at > 40-60 years. There were 141 cases (69.8%) of hepatocellular type, 27 cases (13.4%) of cholestatic type, and 34 cases (16.8%) of mixed type. There were statistically significant differences in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, prothrombin time, international standardized ratio, and prothrombin activity between different clinical types ( H = 91.43, 58.65, 9.25, 32.69, 9.56, 8.19, 9.40, all P < 0.05). Among the 202 patients with drug-induced liver injury, severe liver injury occurred in the largest proportion of cases (40.6%). There was no significant difference in the disease severity between different clinical types ( P = 0.789). The top three types of drugs causing liver injury were traditional Chinese medicine [52.0% (105/202)], antineoplastic drugs [6.4% (13/202)], and antipsychotics [5.9% (12/202)]. The detection rate of autoantibodies in 202 patients with drug-induced liver injury was 29.7% (60/202). Conclusion:Drug-induced liver injury lacks specificity in clinical manifestations. A wide variety of drugs can cause liver injury. Clinicians should strengthen liver function monitoring in key populations. The proportion of patients with mixed-type liver failure is high, which should be taken seriously. When patients with drug-induced liver injury are positive for liver disease-related antibodies, clinicians should be vigilant about the possibility of drug-induced liver injury.

Correlation between peak viral load and liver function damage in children with infectious mononucleosis induced by Epstein-Barr virus / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the peak load of Epstein-Barr virus (EPV) and live function damage in children with infectious mononucleosis caused by EPV.Methods:Eighty children with infectious mononucleosis caused by EPV who received treatment in Pingxiang People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were included in this study. Five mL of venous blood was taken from each child for detecting the peak load of EBV-DNA and liver function indicators. These children were divided into a low-load group ( n = 25, EBV-DNA load < 10 4 copies/mL), a medium-load group ( n = 34, EBV-DNA load of 10 4-10 5 copies/mL), and a high-load group ( n = 21, EBV-DNA load > 10 5 copies/mL) according to the peak EBV-DNA load. The relationships between different peak loads of EBV-DNA and live function, age, and sex were analyzed. Results:The rate of liver dysfunction in the high-load group [85.71% (18/21)] was significantly higher than [38.24% (13/34)] in the medium-load group and [20.00% (5/25)] in the low-load group ( χ2 = 11.90, 19.71, P = 0.001, P < 0.001). Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in the high-load group were (156.24 ± 13.21) U/L and (171.69 ± 13.49) U/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than (125.89 ± 10.54) U/L and (143.26 ± 10.29) U/L in the medium-load group and (89.64 ± 6.75) U/L and (64.89 ± 5.74) U/L] in the low-load group (all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the peak load of EBV-DNA between children of different ages and between children of different sexes (both P > 0.05). Conclusion:Children with infectious mononucleosis caused by EPV have a high EBV-DNA peak load. A higher peak load of EVB-DNA indicates a higher risk of liver function damage. More attention should be paid in clinical practice. Effective diagnosis and treatment should be performed in time to control the patient's condition as early as possible.

Diagnostic and prognostic values of the ratio of red blood cell distribution width to platelet count for hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis / 中国基层医药

Objective:To analyze the diagnostic and prognostic values of the red blood cell distribution width-to-platelet count ratio (RPR) for hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis.Methods:The clinical data of 80 patients with hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis who were diagnosed and treated in Yiwu Central Hospital from June 2020 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were included in the hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis group. They were subdivided into survival ( n = 69) and death ( n = 11) groups according to their prognosis outcomes. Eighty patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in the chronic hepatitis B group. Eighty healthy controls who concurrently underwent physical examination were included in the control group. The diagnostic and prognostic values of RPR, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) for hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis were analyzed. Results:Red blood cell distribution width, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase in the hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis group and chronic hepatitis B group were significantly higher compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). Platelet count in the hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis group and chronic hepatitis B group was significantly lower than that in the control group (both P < 0.05). Red blood cell distribution width in the hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis group was significantly higher than that in the chronic hepatitis B group [(18.25 ± 3.28)% vs. (14.67 ± 2.15)%, t = 8.16, P < 0.05]. Platelet count, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels in the hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis group were (78.47 ± 11.43) × 10 9/L, (49.48 ± 6.85) U/L, (45.86 ± 6.28) U/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than (133.36 ± 18.42) × 10 9/L, (128.36 ± 15.40) U/L, (98.67 ± 14.41) U/L in the chronic hepatitis B group ( t = -22.65, -41.86, -30.05, all P < 0.05). PRP, APRI, and FIB-4 in the hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis group were (0.23 ± 0.05), (1.85 ± 0.44), (4.25 ± 0.81) respectively, which were significantly higher than (0.11 ± 0.02), (1.46 ± 0.33), (3.38 ± 0.63) in the chronic hepatitis B group ( t = 19.93, 6.34, 7.58, all P < 0.001). The RPR, APRI, and FIB-4 in the death group were (0.25 ± 0.08), (1.97 ± 0.48), (4.52 ± 1.31), respectively, which were significantly higher than (0.18 ± 0.05), (1.68 ± 0.40), (3.69 ± 1.21) in the survival group ( t = 3.94, 2.17, 2.09, all P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that PRP has an extremely high value in diagnosing hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis and predicting the death of patients with hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis. Conclusion:RPR has an extremely high value in diagnosing hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis and predicting the prognosis of this disease.

Effect of hepatic artery reconstruction techniques on prognosis of liver transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the effect of different techniques of hepatic artery reconstruction on postoperative hepatic artery complications and clinical prognosis in liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 140 liver transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. All recipients were divided into the conventional hepatic artery reconstruction group (n=123) and special hepatic artery reconstruction group (n=17) according to hepatic artery reconstruction methods. Intraoperative and postoperative clinical indexes, the incidence of postoperative hepatic artery complications and survival rate were compared between two groups. Results The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels at postoperative 1 d, total bilirubin (TB) at postoperative 7 d and prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR) at postoperative 30 d in special hepatic artery reconstruction group were higher than those in conventional hepatic artery reconstruction group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the operation time, anhepatic phase, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative transfusion volume of red blood cells, cold or warm ischemia time, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, the length of hospital stay and postoperative blood flow of liver allograft between two groups (all P > 0.05). In the conventional hepatic artery reconstruction group, 5 recipients developed hepatic artery complications, whereas no hepatic artery complications occurred in the special hepatic artery reconstruction group, with no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). In the special hepatic artery reconstruction group, the 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative survival rates were equally 82.4%, compared with 85.0%, 78.9% and 75.6% in the conventional hepatic artery reconstruction group, respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions When hepatic artery variations and (or) lesions are detected in donors and recipients, use of special hepatic artery reconstruction may effectively restore the hepatic arterial blood flow of liver allograft after liver transplantation, and will not affect the incidence of hepatic artery complications and survival rate of the recipients following liver transplantation.

Early Mortality Predictors in İnfective Endocarditis Patients: A Single-Center Surgical Experience

ABSTRACT Introduction: Infective endocarditis is a disease that progresses with morbidity and mortality, afecting 3-10 out of 100,000 people per year. We conducted this study to review the early outcomes of surgical treatment of infective endocarditis. Methods: In this retrospective study, 122 patients who underwent cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis in our clinic between November 2009 and December 2020 were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups according to in-hospital mortality. Demographic, echocardiographic, laboratory, operative, and postoperative data of the groups were compared. Results: Between November 3, 2009, and December 7, 2020, 122 patients were operated for infective endocarditis in our hospital. Emergency surgery was performed in nine (7.3%) patients. In-hospital mortality occurred in 23 (18.9%) patients, and 99 (81.1%) patients were discharged. In-hospital mortality was related with older age, presence of periannular abscess, New York Heart Association class 3 or 4 symptoms, low albumin level, high alanine aminotransferase level, and longer cross-clamping time (P<0.05 for all). Conclusion: The presence of paravalvular abscess was the most important prognostic factor in patients operated for infective endocarditis.

Relationship between liver function tests & cardiovascular risk factors in stage 3-5 pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease

Background & objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Liver function tests (LFTs) have emerged as markers of CVD risk in some population-based studies. Hence, in the present study the relation between LFTs and biochemical cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) were evaluated in CKD patients. Methods: A total of 246 patients with stage 3-5 pre-dialysis CKD were enrolled. Demographics, LFTs [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)] and biochemical CRFs were recorded retrospectively. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using CKD-EPI equation. Results: ALT was positively correlated with GFR, albumin, triglyceride and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and negatively correlated with CRP and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH); AST was positively correlated with GFR, albumin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and negatively correlated with CRP and iPTH; GGT was positively correlated with GFR, CRP and triglyceride and negatively correlated with HDL-C. In diabetic patients, ALT correlated positively with GFR; AST correlated positively with GFR and HDL-C, but correlated negatively with iPTH. In the correlation analysis between GFR and CRF, GFR was positively correlated with albumin, triglyceride and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and negatively correlated with CRP, iPTH and albuminuria in both total study population and diabetic group. A partial correlation analysis revealed no correlation between LFTs and CRFs after being controlled for GFR. Interpretation & conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that the relationship between LFTs and biochemical CRFs seems to be a function of impaired GFR.

Changes in liver function test levels in HIV patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Longitudinal study in Lima, Peru / Cambios en los valores de las pruebas de función hepática en pacientes con VIH en terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA). Estudio longitudinal en Lima, Perú

Abstract Introduction: Estimating and monitoring changes in liver function tests is necessary to prevent the occurrence of chronic liver disease in HIV patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Objective: To determine the variation liver profile test levels in HIV patients undergoing HAART. Materials and methods: Retrospective longitudinal study conducted in 100 HIV patients treated at the Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue, Lima, Peru, between 2015 and 2017. Patients in all stages of clinical infection under HAART and with liver function panel results for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and total protein (TP) were included. Three follow-up liver function tests (every 3 months) were performed while undergoing HAART and participants were categorized as having normal or elevated levels for all liver markers. Differences between the samples analyzed were determined using the paired-samples T test, with a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Participants' mean age was 33±9.56 years and 67% were male. Mean serum AST, ALT and ALP values decreased between the first and the third measurement (p=0.021, p=0.076 and p=0.002, respectively). No significant differences in GGT and TP levels were observed between the three measurements, nor between patients with normal and elevated AST, ALT, ALP and TP values, but significant differences were observed for GGT (p=0.010). Conclusions: Variations in liver marker levels were observed in all participants, with a decreasing trend in AST, ALT and ALP between the early and late stages of HAART, implying that this therapy could play a role in liver tissue damage.

Resumen Introducción. Para prevenir el desarrollo de enfermedad hepática crónica en pacientes con VIH, durante la terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA) se deben estimar y monitorear cambios en el perfil hepático. Objetivo. Determinar la variación de las concentraciones del perfil hepático en pacientes con VIH durante la TARGA. Materiales y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo longitudinal realizado en 100 pacientes con VIH atendidos en el Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue, Lima, Perú, entre 2015 y 2017. Se incluyeron pacientes en todos los estadios de infección clínica que estuvieran recibiendo TARGA y en los que se contara con resultados del perfil hepático para alanina aminotransferasa (ALT), aspartato aminotransferasa (AST), fosfatasa alcalina (FA), gammaglutamiltranspeptidasa (GGT) y proteínas totales (PT). Se realizaron tres análisis de control de la función hepática durante la TARGA (1 cada 3 meses) y los participantes se agruparon en niveles normales y elevados para todos los marcadores hepáticos. Las diferencias entre las muestras analizadas fueron determinadas mediante la prueba t-Student para muestras relacionadas, con un intervalo de confianza de 95% y un nivel de significancia de p<0.05. Resultados. La edad promedio fue de 33±9.56 años y el 67% fueron varones. Los valores séricos promedio de AST, ALT y FA disminuyeron entre la primera y la tercera medición (p=0.021, p=0.076 y p=0.002, respectivamente). No se observaron diferencias significativas en los niveles de GGT y PT entre las tres mediciones, ni entre los pacientes con valores normales y elevados para AST, ALT, FA y PT, pero sí para GGT (p=0.010). Conclusiones. Se observaron variaciones en los niveles de los marcadores hepáticos de todos los participantes, con una tendencia a la reducción en AST, ALT y FA entre las etapas iniciales y finales de la terapia, lo que implica que la TARGA podría ejercer un rol en el daño tisular hepático.

Factores asociados a esteatosis hepática no alcohólica en pacientes del área rural del cantón Chambo / Factors Associated with Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis in Patients from the Rural Area of Chambo town

La hepatopatía crónica más prevalente en el mundo es la esteatosis hepática no alcohólica. Así, se realizó una investigación con el objetivo de determinar los factores asociados a esa patología en pacientes atendidos en el Centro de salud tipo B Chambo, Ecuador, durante 2020. Se realizó un estudio con enfoque cuantitativo, de tipo no experimental, correlacional y retrospectivo. Las historias clínicas seleccionadas aportaron los datos de las variables de interés. La media de la edad de los involucrados fue de 54,43 ± 8,10 años. El 60,38% tenía hipertensión arterial, el 52,83% diabetes mellitus, el 62,26% sobrepeso u obesidad y el 49,06% dislipidemia, determi-nando que estas comorbilidades tuvieron una relación significativa con la enfermedad objeto de estudio, la que resultó más incidente en edades mayores de 50 años. Las personas sedentarias o con bajos niveles de actividad física mostraron de ALT y AST.

The most prevalent chronic liver disease in the world is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Thus, research aimed to determine the factors associated with this pathology in patients treated at the Type B Chambo Health Center, Ecuador, during 2020. A study was carried out with a quantitati-ve, non-experimental, correlational, and retrospective approach. The selected medical records provided the information for the variables of interest. The mean age of the population was 54.43 ± 8.10 years of age. 60.38% had arterial hypertension, 52.83% diabetes mellitus, 62.26% overweight or obesity and 49.06% dyslipidemia. It was determined that these comorbidities had a significant relationship with the disease under study, which was more incident in ages older than 50. Sedentary people or those ones with low levels of physical activity showed ALT and AST.

Schisandrae Fructus oil-induced elevation in serum triglyceride and lipoprotein concentrations associated with physiologic hepatomegaly in mice

Objective: To investigate hypertriglyceridemia and hepatomegaly caused by Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (FSS) and Schisandra chinensis Fructus (FSC) oils in mice. Methods: Mice were orally administered a single dose of Schisandrae Fructus oils. Serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG), triglyceride transfer protein (TTP), apolipoprotein B48 (Apo B48), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), alanine aminotransfease (ALT) and liver index were measured at 6-120 h post-dosing. Results: FSS and FSC oil caused time and dose-dependent increases in serum and hepatic TG levels, with maximum increases in the liver (by 297% and 340%) at 12 h post-dosing and serum (244% and 439%) at 24-h post-dosing, respectively. Schisandrae Fructus oil treatments also elevated the levels of serum TTP by 51% and 63%, Apo B48 by 152% and 425%, and VLDL by 67% and 38% in mice, respectively. FSS and FSC oil treatments also increased liver mass by 53% and 55% and HGF by 106% and 174%, but lowered serum ALT activity by 38% and 22%, respectively. Fenofibrate pre/ co-treatment attenuated the FSS and FSC oil-induced elevation in serum TG levels by 41% and 49% at 48 h post-dosing, respectively, but increased hepatic TG contents (by 38% and 33%, respectively) at 12 h post-dosing. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence to support the establishment of a novel mouse model of hypertriglyceridemia by oral administration of FSS oil (mainly increasing endogenous TG) and FSC oil (mainly elevating exogenous TG).

Effect of alanine aminotransferase in early pregnancy on neonatal birth weight / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) level in early pregnancy and its interaction with maternal body mass index(BMI) on neonatal birth weight.Methods:Data of full-term singleton delivery mother-infant pairs from 2014 to 2016 in Wenzhou were collected. The exposure(ALT>40 U/L) and non-exposure(ALT≤40 U/L) groups were matched using 1∶4 propensity score matching. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between increased ALT level in the first trimester and abnormal birth weight as well as the effect of its interaction with BMI on abnormal birth weight.Results:Multivariate analysis showed that the risks of macrosomia and large for gestational age(LGA) in pregnant women with ALT>40 U/L were 1.584(95% CI 1.323-1.896) and 1.292(95% CI 1.142-1.461) compared with those with ALT≤40 U/L. ALT in the first trimester displayed an additive interaction with BMI on the risk of macrosomia [the relative excess risk due to interaction( RERI)=2.032, 95% CI 0.307-3.757, the attributable proportion due to interaction( API)=0.448, 95% CI 0.221-0.684, the synergy index( S)=2.348, 95% CI 1.274-4.324]. In addition, there was no interaction between ALT and BMI on the risk of LGA, and nor did the association of ALT in the first trimester with low birth weight or small for gestational age exist. Conclusion:ALT>40 U/L in the first trimester increases the risk of high birth weight, especially in overweight or obese pregnant women in the first trimester. Therefore, it is suggested to strengthen the monitoring of ALT level in obese pregnant women during the first trimester.

Analysis of the relationship between serum ficolin-3, ALA level and gestational diabetes / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum fibrous gel protein-3 (ficolin-3) and serum alanine (ALA) levels and gestational diabetes (GDM) .Methods:A total of 98 pregnant women with GDM admitted to our hospital from Jan. 2020 to Aug. 2020 were selected as the observation group, and 98 healthy pregnant women undergoing physical examination during the same period were taken as the control group. The level of serum ficolin-3 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) , and the level of serum ALA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) . The two groups were compared in terms of serum ficolin-3, ALA levels and biochemical indicators (hemoglobin (HbA1c) , total cholesterol (TC) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) , serum total protein (TP) , serum urea (SU) levels) , and pregnancy outcomes. Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between serum ficolin-3 and ALA levels and various biochemical indexes. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the risk factors of GDM.Results:Serum ficolin-3, HbA1c, and SU levels in the observation group were all higher than that in the control group. Serum ALA level was lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TPT showed no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) . In the observation group, serum ficolin-3 was positively correlated with HbA1c and Su, and serum ALA was negatively correlated with HbA1c and SU ( P < 0.05) . The incidence of adverse outcomes including gestational neonatal asphyxia, neonatal jaundice, giant size, and amniotic fluid contamination in the observation group (26.53%) was higher than that in the control group (12.24%) , The difference was statistical significant ( P<0.05) . The univariate analysis showed that GDM was associated with age, weight gain during pregnancy, serum ficolin-3, ALA, HbA1c, SU, family history of diabetes ( P<0.05) ; Binary logistics regression analysis found that age ≥28 years, weight gain≥ 14 kg, serum ficolin-3≥24ng/ml, HbA1c 6.0%, and a family history of diabetes were risk factors for GDM, while serum ALA≥1.9 μg/ml was a protective factor of GDM, ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:The increase of serum ficolin-3 and the decrease of ALA level in pregnant women are risk factors of GDM, and have an adverse impact on the final delivery outcome

Relationship between the incidence of acute kidney injury and postoperative changes of coagulation function in adult recipients after liver transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the effect of coagulation function changes on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 245 liver transplant recipients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were retrospectively analyzed. According to the incidence of AKI after liver transplantation, all recipients were divided into the AKI group (n=99) and non-AKI group (n=146). The incidence of AKI after liver transplantation was summarized. Perioperative parameters of the recipients were collected. The risk factors of AKI after liver transplantation were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Among 245 recipients undergoing liver transplantation, 99 cases developed AKI after operation with an incidence rate of 40.4%. Preoperative serum creatinine levels of the recipients and the in-hospital fatality were relatively high in the AKI group (all P < 0.05). Compared with the recipients in the non-AKI group, those in the AKI group presented with significantly higher liver function parameters within postoperative 24 h, significantly decreased levels of stage Ⅱ coagulation parameters including coagulation factorsⅤ, Ⅶ, Ⅸ, Ⅹ, Ⅻ and protein S, protein C and antithrombin Ⅲ, evidently elevated prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR), remarkably increased stage Ⅲ coagulation parameters including D-dimer and fibrin degradation product (FDP) levels and considerably decreased fibrinogen (FIB) level (all P < 0.05). Thrombelastogram showed that the R value was increased, the α angle was decreased and the coagulation time was prolonged in the AKI group (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the increased R value of postoperative thrombelastogram [odd ratio (OR) 1.116, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.018-1.223, P=0.019], and decreased levels of antithrombin Ⅲ (OR 0.974, 95%CI 0.955-0.993, P=0.007) were the independent risk factors of incidence of AKI after liver transplantation. Conclusions The incidence of AKI after liver transplantation is high, which is associated with the coagulation function changes of the recipients. Decreased coagulation factor activity (increased R value) and declined antithrombin Ⅲ level are the independent risk factors of AKI in liver transplantat recipients.