Journal of Practical Hepatology ›› 2024, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (5): 749-752.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-5069.2024.05.026

• Liver cirrhosis • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Intestinal barrier function index changes in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and high serum viral loads undergoing tenofovir alafenamide fumarate or entecavir therapy

Li Shuangling, Liu Li, Chen Yi, et al   

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province,China
  • Received:2024-03-01 Online:2024-09-10 Published:2024-09-09

Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to investigate intestinal barrier function index changes in patients with compensated hepatitis B liver cirrhosis (LC) and high serum viral loads undergoing tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) or entecavir (ETV) therapy. Methods 64 patients with compensated hepatitis B-induced LC and high serum viral loads (HBVDNAswere 1equal to or greater than×106 IU/mL) were enrolled in our hospital between January 2020 and January 2023, and we randomly assigned them to receive TAF (observation, n=32) or to ETV (control, n=32) therapy. The regimen continued and antiviral efficacy was assessed by end of 12 months. Urine lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratio was detected by high performance liquid chromatography. Serum D-lactic acid was measured by colorimetry, serum diamine oxidase (DAO) by ultraviolet colorimetry, and serum endotoxin and interleukin-7 (IL-7) levels was assayed by EIISA. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) level was determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay, and heparin-binding protein (HBP) level was detected by immunofluorescence quantitative method. Results By end of 12-month antiviral treatment, complete virological and biochemical responses were obtained in the two groups, and there were no significant differences as respect to serum bilirubin, ALT and AST levels in the two groups (P>0.05); serum DAO, D-lactic acid, endotoxin and urine L/M ratio in the observation group were (2.8±0.6)U/mL, (7.9±1.8)μg/mL, (0.5±0.1)EU/mL and (7.3±1.6)%, all not significantly different compared to [(3.0±0.5)U/mL, (7.8±2.2)μg/mL,(0.6±0.1)EU/mL and (8.1±1.9)%, respectively, P>0.05] in the control; serum PCT, HBP and IL-7 levels were (0.01±0.00)μg/L, (43.1±3.7)ng/mL and (768.9±20.3)pg/mL, also not significantly different as compared to [(0.02±0.01)μg/L,(47.6±3.2)ng/mL and (743.4±21.5)pg/mL, respectively, P>0.05] in the control groups. Conclusion Both TAF or ETV has a satisfactory antiviral efficacy in treatment of patients with compensated hepatitis B-induced LC, without intestinal barrier function damage.

Key words: Liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis B, Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate, Entecavir, High serum viral loads, Intestinal barrier functions, Therapy