Dietary inflammatory index in relation to the progression of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis: evaluation by elastography/Fibroscan.

One of the proposed mechanisms by which nutrition influences the progression of hepatic steatosis to fibrosis is inflammation. The study investigated how the inflammatory potential of the diet affects the risk of liver damage in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where fat accumulates in the liver. This cross-sectional study included 170 outpatients with newly diagnosed NAFLD. This study used a device called Fibroscan® to measure the degree of liver fibrosis, which is the scarring of the liver tissue due to chronic inflammation. The study also used a tool called the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) to measure the inflammatory potential of the diet based on the intake of different foods and nutrients. In the findings of the study, patients with more severe fat accumulation in the liver (hepatic steatosis) had higher DII scores, meaning they had more inflammatory diets. The study also found that higher DII scores were associated with higher weight and body mass index (BMI). One standard deviation (SD) increase in DII scores was associated with a 0.29 kilopascal (95% CI: 0.10-0.44; P-value 0.001) increase in the mean liver stiffness, an indicator of liver fibrosis. The study concluded that patients with higher DII scores had a higher risk of developing liver fibrosis than those with lower DII scores, even after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio: 5.89; P-value: 0.001). The study suggested that eating less inflammatory foods may help prevent or slow down the progression of hepatic steatosis and liver in patients with NAFLD.

Ultrasound Assessment of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: Comparison between Diabetes and Nondiabetes Subjects, and Correlation with Serum Vitamin D.

Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was performed on two groups of adults (nondiabetes and type 2 diabetes) of various ages, sexes, and body mass index (BMI). CIMT for each side was measured at three segments using high-resolution ultrasound, and the mean of both sides was determined. Comparison was made between each group, and the association of CIMT with each of age, sex, BMI, serum vitamin D status, smoking, and physical activity status was studied. The chi-square test was used to compare categorical data, and binary logistic regression was utilized to ascertain the relationship between CIMT and the study variables. Results: A significant difference was observed between the CIMT of the diabetes and nondiabetes group, average CIMT was 0.82 ± 0.23 mm vs. 1.12 ± 0.24 mm for the nondiabetes and diabetes group, respectively, with P value <0.005. No significant correlation was observed between serum vitamin D level and CIMT neither in the study group as a whole nor in either subgroup; however, a significant association was observed between CIMT with each of age, sex, BMI, smoking, and physical activity status. Conclusion: Ultrasound is a sensitive tool for CIMT evaluation. Diabetes has a 5.4-fold higher risk of having high CIMT. Serum vitamin D level showed no significant influence on CIMT. Smoking, BMI, and physical activity are among the modifiable risk factors with significant influence on CIMT.

Comparing effects of beetroot juice and Mediterranean diet on liver enzymes and sonographic appearance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized control trials.

Background: In both developed and developing countries, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has lately risen to the top of the list of chronic liver illnesses. Although there is no permanent cure, early management, diagnosis, and treatment might lessen its effects. The purpose of conducting the current study is to compare the effects of beetroot juice and the Mediterranean diet on the lipid profile, level of liver enzymes, and liver sonography in patients with NAFLD. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 180 people with a mean age of (45.19 ± 14.94) years participated. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 73. The mean weight before intervention was (82.46 ± 5.97) kg, while the mean weight after intervention was roughly (77.88 ± 6.26) kg. The trial lasted for 12 weeks. The participants were split into four groups: control, a Mediterranean diet with beet juice (BJ + MeD), Mediterranean diet alone (MeD), and beetroot juice (BJ). The Mediterranean diet included fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, and other lean meats (without skin), sources of omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and legumes. Beetroot juice had 250 mg of beetroot. Data analysis was done using SPSS software (version 26.0). p < 0.05 is the statistical significance level. Results: Following the intervention, Serum Bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), serum cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly decreased in the BJ + MeD, BJ, and MeD groups (p = 0.001). Also, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly increased in the BJ + MeD, BJ, and MeD groups (p = 0.001), while decreasing in the Control group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The research findings indicate a significant reduction in hepatic steatosis among the groups receiving beetroot juice (BJ) and beetroot juice combined with the Mediterranean diet (BJ + MeD). This suggests that beetroot juice holds potential as an effective treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults. Furthermore, the combination of beetroot juice with the Mediterranean diet showed enhanced efficacy in addressing NAFLD.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05909631.

Accessory Spleen: Prevalence and Multidetector CT Appearance.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and computed tomography (CT) appearances of accessory spleens in hospital-based patients, and to measure and make comparisons between accessory spleen size and density. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a diagnostic center in Erbil, Iraq during January-December, 2012. Biphasic abdominal CT images of 334 consecutive patients with different age groups were evaluated for the presence of an accessory spleen, and if identified, it was further analysed for shape, diameter, density, number, and location. Patients with inadequate CT techniques, splenectomy, hematological disorders, and widespread lesions in the abdomen were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Of the 334 patients (198 female, 136 male), with a mean age of 47.2 years (SD 15.7), 82 accessory spleens were detected in 63 patients (18.8%). Their mean diameter was 14.7 mm (range 3-79 mm), 68% were round in shape and 75.6% were medial to the main spleen. Sixty percent of the cases showed a single accessory spleen and 40% had more than one (up to 4 detected). A significant difference in the mean diameter of accessory spleens between similar and different densities than the main spleen was observed (P = 0.018), 71 accessory spleens (mean diameter = 15.97 mm) displayed similar densities to the main spleen, while 11 (mean diameter = 7.09 mm) were hypodense or hyperdense to the main spleen. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of an accessory spleen is high, and should be considered by radiologists during abdominal CT scan reporting.