The Chinese Society of Hepatology of the Chinese Medical Association invited relevantexperts to revise and update the Guideline of Prevention and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease(2018Version) and renamed it as (Version 2024) Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of MetabolicDysfunction-associated (non-alcoholic) Fatty Liver Disease. Herein, the guiding recommendations on clinicalissues such as screening and monitoring, diagnosis and evaluation, treatment and follow-up of metabolicdysfunction-associated fatty liver disease are put forward.

The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be the metabolic disorders in liver and is closely related to obesity, insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hyperlipemia, etc. The prevalence of NAFLD among adults worldwide is about 25% and it is to believe increasing year by year. The NAFLD is an important causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver transplantation. A large number of studies have shown that thyroid hormone (THs) plays an important role in hepatic lipid metabolism and IR, and the thyroid hormone receptor agonists are expected to become new medicines for the treatment of patients with NAFLD. In this review, we mainly discuss the progress of THs in patients with NAFLD.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of glycyrrhizic acid diamine and compound glycyrrhizin in the treatment of patients with drug-induced liver injuries (DILI). Methods 97 tumor patients with DILI caused by cyclophosphamide were encountered in Nantong Tumor Hospital between July 2018 and January 2021, and were randomly divided into control group (n=47) and observation group (n=50), receiving compound glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhizic acid diamine, respectively for six months. Serum malonaldehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase, (SOD) and advanced protein oxidation products (APOPs) levels were detected by purine oxidase; Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels were determined by ELISA. Results At the end of six month observation, serum bilirubin, ALT and GGT levels in the observation group were(12.3±1.5)μmol/L, (34.9±9.5)U/L and (36.9±8.8)U/L, significantly lower than [(21.7±3.1)μmol/L, (75.3±18.2)U/L and (74.2±15.2)U/L, respectively, P＜0.01] in the control; serum TNF-α, IL-6 and MIF levels were (4.1±0.8)ng/ml, (17.6±5.3)pg/ml and (6.0±0.5)ng/mL, significantly lower than [(5.9±1.2)ng/ml,(28.8±6.1)pg/ml and (10.7±0.9)ng/mL, respectively, P＜0.01] in the control group; serum MDA and APOPs levels were (4.3±0.7)μmol/L and (2.4±0.2)μmol/L, significantly lower than [(6.4±1.2)μmol/L and (4.3±0.5)μmol/L, P＜0.01], while serum SOD and GSH levels were (83.6±7.9)U/L and (7.6±1.5)μmol/L, significantly higher than [(75.2±9.2)U/L and (6.4±1.2)μmol/L, P＜0.01] in the control; at the end of one-year follow-up, 25 patients(25.8%) died of malignant tumors in our series. Conclusion The oral administration of glycyrrhizic acid diamine in the treatment of patients with DILI caused by cyclophosphamide is convenient and seems to be more efficacious compared with compound glycyrrhizin, which could improve liver function index normal and inhibit the inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress.

Objective The purpose of this study was to establish a rapid and efficient liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) for simultaneous determination of 15 bile acids in mouse liver tissues. Methods The activated charcoal was utilized to prepare bile acid-free liver, which served as the biological matrix for the preparation of standard and quality control samples. The mouse liver tissue was homogenized, and a basic acetonitrile solution, including 5% NH₄OH was added to precipitate proteins. The proteins were separated on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC C18 column (100 mm×4.6 mm,2.7 μm) by using ²H₄-DCA, GUDCA-d₅, and LCA-d₄ as internal standards. The mobile phase is ammonium acetate aqueous solution and methanol acetonitrile mixed solution for gradient elution, the column temperature was 30℃, the flow rate was 0.3mL/min, and the injection volume was 2 μL. The electrospray ion source (ESI) was operated in negative ion mode, and in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Results The linearity of the 15 bile acids was good with R² greater than 0.993, the limits of determination were less than 2 ng/mL, and the matrix effects were 90.76%-109.25%; the intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision were less than 15%, and the stability was good under 4℃ for 24 h, repeated freeze-thaw, and freeze-storage for one month, meeting the analytical requirements of biological samples; the detection of mouse liver tissues showed that both unconjugated BAs and conjugated BAs (G-BAs, T-BAs) were dominated by maternal CA, with the highest content of TCA; the concentration of unconjugated BAs was (723.89±50.65) ng/mL, significantly higher than that of G-BAs [(56.90±11.28) ng/mL, P<0.001]; the concentration of T-BAs was (40322.90±14034.80)ng/mL, significantly higher than unconjugated BAs (P＜0.001), and also significantly higher than G-BAs (P＜0.001). Conclusion The LC-MS/MS method we established is sensitive, accurate, reliable, and suitable for the determination of bile acids concentrations in mouse liver tissues, which might help for further studies.

Objective Primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)is characterized by a chronic autoimmune intrahepatic cholestasis,and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a liver parenchymal inflammation mediated by autoimmune reaction. When the two entities coexist in a given patient, we call it "PBC-AIH overlap syndrome (PBC-AIH OS)". The prevalence of PBC-AIH OS is low, but it progresses faster and has a poorer prognosis. The clinical diagnosis and the choice of treatment are still challenging. Therefore, in this article, we reviewed the latest progress in the definition, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients with PBC-AIH OS, in order to help the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term efficacy of dapagliflozin and liraglutide combination in treatment of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetes mellitus type 2(T2MD). Methods 60 patients with NAFLD and T2MD were admitted to our hospital between September 2017 and October 2020, and were randomly divided into control and observation group, with 30 cases in each group. All the patients were supervised for routine lifestyle intervention and oral metformin administration for blood glucose control. In addition, the patients in the control group were treated with liraglutide intravenouly, and those in the observation group were treated with dapagliflozin and liraglutide combination. The regimen lasted for 3 months. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 hour-postprandial plasma glucose (2h PG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as well as serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL－C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL－C) levels were routinely obtained. Serum fasting insulin(Fins) and 2 h Ins levels were assayed, and the HOMA-IR was calculated. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of livers was detected by FibroTouch. Results At the end of 3 month observation, the FPG, 2hPG and HbA1 levels in the observation group were(5.8±0.7)mmol/L, (6.9±0.8)mmol/L and (6.3±0.9)%, all significantly lower than [(6.6±0.6)mmol/L,(7.7±0.7)mmol/L and (7.2±1.0)%, respectively, P＜0.05] in the control group; serum Fins, 2hIns and HOMA-IR levels were (9.8±1.2)mIU/L, (20.2±1.7)mIU/L and (2.6±0.4)%, significantly lower than [(11.9±1.1)mmol/L, (24.8±1.6) mmol/L and (3.2±0.5)%, respectively, P＜0.05] in the control; serum TG level was (2.6±0.4) mmol/L, significantly lower than [(3.0±0.3)mmol/L, P＜0.05], while serum HDL-C level was (1.6±0.2) mmol/L, significantly higher than [(1.2±0.3)mmol/L, P＜0.05] in the control; the CAP was (249.2±7.5)dB/m, also significantly lower than [(264.7±8.6)dB/m, P＜0.05] in the control; serum AST level was (39.9±3.8)U/L, significantly lower than [(44.9±4.2)U/L, P＜0.05] in the control. Conclusion The application of dapagliflozin and liraglutide combination is efficacious in the treatment of patients with NAFLD and T2MD, which could effectively reduce blood glucose and lipid levels, improve liver function tests back to normal, with the ability of alleviation of insulin resistance.

Objective With the wide application of biologics, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation have been increasingly become a problem. The patients with HBV reactivation may suffer from liver failure, which might lead to death. The screening, prophylactic antiviral therapy and surveillance for the patients at a risk of HBV reactivation have become the consensus of major related guidelines. In this article, we reviewed the population risk stratification, mechanism by which the HBV reactivated, and the prophylactic antiviral agents.

Objective At present, the artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely used in many fields, and it also applied in medical diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, we mainly reviewed the AI research on the diagnosis, management and prognosis of patients with in liver diseases, in order to provide more effective measures. Finally, the future development of AI in the field of liver disease study is prospected.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is an important factor in the progression of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The complete life cycle of hepatitis B virus is dependent on the host cell, which makes host-targeting antiviral (HTA) treatment options promising. The HTA includes inhibition of virus entry, destabilization of viral nucleic acids and enhancement of host immune response to HBV infection. This paper reviewed the development of medicines that target hosts and host factors in order to achieve the goal of hepatitis B virus suppression, with a view to providing a reference for subsequent antiviral research and clinical treatment.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor is a kind of cancer immunotherapy agents, which has anti-tumor activities by improving immune microenvironment around the tumors. The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, and the treatment efficacy of advanced disease is poor. The immune checkpoint inhibitors have a certain effects on advanced HCC. In this article, we will review the mechanism, treatment and adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating patients with advanced HCC.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term hemostatic effect of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and omeprazole and octreotide combination in the treatment of cirrhotics with first esophageal varices bleeding (EVB). Methods 60 patients with cirrhosis and EVB were enrolled in this study between January 2018 and January 2021, and 30 patients in the control were treated with omeprazole and octreotide, while another 30 patients in the observation group were treated with EVL on the basis of medicines in the control group. The diameters, mean flow velocities and blood flows of portal vein and splenic vein were detected by color Doppler ultrasound. Serum gastrin (GAS) and glucagon (GLC) levels were detected by ELISA, and serum procollagen type III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) level was detected by radioimmunoassay. Results 1 week after treatment, the total efficient rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (96.7% vs. 76.8%, P<0.05), and the emergent hemostasis rate in the observation group was also higher than that in the control group (93.3% vs. 73.3%, P<0.05); the early re-bleeding rate and the delayed re-bleeding rate in the observation group were 10.0% and 3.3%, both significantly lower than 33.3% and 20.0% (P<0.05) in the control; the mean flow velocity and blood flow of portal vein in the observation group were (14.2±2.3) cm/s and (1224.6±173.2) mL/min, significantly higher than [(12.1±1.6) cm/s and (1030.7±164.5) mL/min, P<0.05], the mean flow velocity and blood flow of splenic vein in the observation group were (14.4±1.9)cm/s and (934.6±185.3)mL/min, both significantly higher than [(12.3±1.7)cm/s and (731.3±172.4)mL/min, respectively, P<0.05] in the control; serum PIIINP, GAS and GLC levels in the observation group were (173.6±19.5) μg/L, (69.7±9.6) ng/L and (52.3±7.1) ng/L, significantly lower than [(202.8±23.1) μg/L, (91.4±12.3) ng/L and (62.4±8.3) ng/L, respectively, P<0.05] in the control group; the total incidence of post-EVL complications, such as sore throat, retrosternal pain, dysphagia, abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting was 53.3%. Conclusion The short-term clinical hemostatic effect of EVL at base of omeprazole and octreotide combination is good in patients with liver cirrhosis and first EVB, which could improve hemodynamic states of portal system, with a relative safety.

Objective The aim of this study was to observe the combination of glutathione and tiopronin in the treatment of patients with drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Methods 72 patients with DILI were enrolled in our hospital between December 2019 and August 2022, and were randomly divided into control (n=36) and observation (n=36) group, receiving tiopronin alone or tiopronin and glutathione combination treatment for two to four weeks. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected by thibabituric acid, xanthine oxidation or dithiobis-nitrobenzoic acid methods, respectively. Serum human heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were detected by ELISA. Results At the end of treatment, serum ALT and AST levels in the observation group were (40.6±11.5)U/L and (31.0±2.6)U/L, both significantly lower than [(64.6±13.9)U/L and (63.7±15.3)U/L, respectively, P＜0.05] in the control, while there were no significant differences respect to serum bilirubin and GGT levels in the two groups [(16.8±3.9) μmol/L and (59.2±13.3)U/L vs. (20.2±4.2)μmol/L and (60.8±14.7)U/L, respectively, P>0.05]; serum SOD, GSH-Px and HO-1 levels in the observation group were (82.4±12.7)U/L, (99.8±16.6)U/L and (256.7±20.8)U/L, all significantly higher than [(75.6±10.9)U/L, (80.6±15.4)U/L and (197.5±24.9)U/L, respectively, P＜0.05], while serum MDA level was (5.1±0.8)μmol/L, much lower than [(6.2±1.3)μmol/L, P＜0.05] in the control; serum IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and CRP levels were (5.1±1.7)pg/mL, (4.4±1.7)pg/mL, (11.2±4.1)ng/mL and (3.9±2.0)mg/L, all significantly lower than [(9.7±1.1)pg/mL, (10.2±1.8)pg/mL, (25.3±4.8)ng/mL and (13.6±2.9)mg/L, respectively, P＜0.05] in the control group. Conclusion The combination of glutathione and tiopronin in the treatment of patients with DILI could effectively improve liver function tests back to normal, which might alleviate body inflammatory and oxidative stress reactions, and warrants further clinical investigation.

Objective Most patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) have a certain degree of malnutrition, mainly protein-calorie malnutrition. The portal hypertension in patients with LC can lead to gastrointestinal congestion and edema, ascites, overgrowth of intestinal bacteria, gastrointestinal bleeding, secondary infections, and other complications, resulting in reduced intake, absorption disorders and excessive loss of nutrients. It can also lead to metabolic disorders, with increased incidence of complications and risk of death. Therefore, nutritional support should be take into consideration during the treatment of patients with LC. In this article, we mainly focuses on the nutritional evaluation and diet management for them.

The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver diseases worldwide. Currently, due to the lack of effective drugs for treatment of NAFLD, the scholars recommend reducing body weight and improving metabolism through dietary interventions. In this paper, we summarize the research progress of NAFLD-related dietary interventions and the mechanisms by which they play roles in therapeutic effects in order to better guide clinical practice.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the members of the human herpesvirus family, which might cause many diseases. The children with EBV infection often have liver injury, which is usually manifested as mild to moderate liver dysfunctions. In severe cases, it can develop into liver failure and even lead to death. Most children with acute EB viral infection recover after supportive treatment. However, in cases of chronic infection or post-transplant infection, the immunomodulatory therapy, chemotherapy, and even bone marrow transplantation may be required in addition to actively management of the underlying diseases. In this review, we describes the comprehensive updates of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of children with liver injury associated with EBV infection.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of liver contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), shear wave elastography (SWE) and contrast-enhanced CT scan in patients with occupying lesions in liver (OLL). Methods 128 patients with OLL were encountered in our hospital between June 2020 and June 2022, and all underwent CEUS, SWE and CT scan at presentation. The histopathological and/or cytology examination were performed after operation. Results Out of the 128 patients with OLL, the pathological examination showed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 72 cases and benign lesions in 56 cases; there were obvious differences as respect to the enhancement patterns in arterial, portal and delayed phases between malignant and benign lesions (P＜0.05). 79.2% HCC presented with “fast in and fast out”, with 81.9% of increased enhancement at arterial phase, 62.5% of low enhancement at portal phase and 79.2% of low enhancement at delayed phase, while 80.4% benign lesions showed "slow in and slow out", with 44.6%, 76.8% and 80.4% of equal enhancement at arterial, portal and delayed phases. The diagnostic sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) and accuracy (Ac) by CEUS detection were 83.3%, 87.5% and 85.2%; the Young's modulus (Emax) in malignant lesions was (42.5±7.1)kPa, much higher than [(36.3±6.5)kPa, t=5.064, P＜0.01] in benign lesions. When the Emax≥39.6 kPa was set as the cut-off-value, the Se, Sp and Ac by SWE were 79.2%, 76.8% and 78.9%; 77.8%HCC presented as “fast in and fast out” at contrast-enhanced CT scan, with 83.3% of intensified enhancement at arterial phase, 59.7% of low enhancement at portal phase and 77.8% of low enhancement at delayed phase, while 82.1% of benign lesions presented with "slow in and slow out", with 42.9%, 78.6% and 82.1% of equal enhancement at arterial, portal and delayed phases. The Se, Sp and Ac by CT scan were 77.8%, 87.5% and 82.0%. Conclusion The CEUS and CT scan are both important measures for the diagnosis of patients with HCC, and the SWE might be an alternative approach for auxiliary diagnosis.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of cell necrosis-related genes on prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The mRNA data of patients with HCC and the clinical data of corresponding patients were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas TCGA database. The polynecrosis-related gene prognostic models were constructed in TCGA files by using LASSO Cox regression. Results by univariate Cox regression analysis, 23 cell necrosis-related differentially expressed genes were associated with prognostic survival (P < 0.05); in this protocol, a significantly correlated prognostic model of 6 cell necrosis-related genes was constructed; the patients were divided into two groups according to the threshold of risk, and the overall survival in patients with high risk was significantly reduced as compared to in those with low risk (P<0.01); meanwhile, by multivariate Cox regression analysis, the risk score met the criteria for independent prognostic factors (P<0.01); the enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) and one-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were performed based on differentially gene levels, and the differential genes were found to be correlated to immune pathways (P<0.05). Conclusion The prognostic model we constructed by 6 cell necrosis-related genes could be applied to predict independently the prognosis of patients with HCC and provide a reference for the clinical management appropriately.

Liver cirrhosis is a very serious chronic progressive liver disease caused by one or more pathological factors repeatedly. The hepatic macrophages is regarded as the important cells for liver damage and repair. The different phenotypic liver macrophages on inflammation of liver are discussed, and the liver macrophage polarization is emphasized in this paper.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare whether or not different for Young's modulus in predicting liver fibrosis (LF) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) obtained by two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE). Methods 72 patients with CHB were enrolled in our hospital between October 2019 and June 2022, and all underwent liver biopsies. The LF was determined by Scheuer score, and Scheuer score≥S2 was defined as significant LF. Based on 2D-SWE of color Doppler ultrasonography, the Young's modulus was determined by its median value (Method 1) or by its mean value (Method 2). The diagnostic performance of Young's modulus was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results The liver histopathological examination showed S0/S1 stage in 31 cases, S2 stage in 19 cases, S3 stage in 12 cases and S4 stage in 10 cases, that’s S2-S4 stage in 41 cases in our series; the Young's modulus by method one in patients with S0/S1, S2, S3 and S4 were (6.1±1.2)kPa, (8.1±1.1)kPa, (11.5±1.8)kPa and (20.9±2.5)kPa, all not significantly different compared to(6.0±1.1)kPa, (8.3±1.2)kPa, (11.6±1.5)kPa and (21.1±2.8)kPa obtained by method two (P>0.05); the Young's modulus by method one or two was positively correlated to LF(r=0.427, P<0.05; r=0.442, P<0.05); the AUCs were 0.938 or 0.956 (P>0.05) in predicting LF in patients with CHB as the Young's modulus equal to 6.04 kPa by method one or 6.14 kPa by method two was set as the cut-off-value, and the AUCs were 0.973 or 0.968(P>0.05) in predicting significant LF as the Young's modulus equal to 8.12 kPa by method one or 8.25 kPa by method two was set as the cut-off-value. Conclusion The median or mean value of five measurements of liver elastic modulus as the final parameter by 2D-SWE might have the equivalent diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of LF in patients with CHB.

Objective This study was aimed to investigate the clinical utility of transient elastic (TE) imaging for the detection and quantification of liver fibrosis (LF) in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis diagnosed by histopathology. Methods 68 patients with alcoholic liver diseases (ALD) were encountered in our hospital between January 2019 and January 2022, and all underwent ultrasound-guided liver biopsy and TE imaging detection for liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and spleen stiffness measurement (SSM). The consistency of diagnosis by two methods was evaluated by Kappa. Results Based on the LSM, the patients without or mild LF were found in 28 cases (41.2%), with significant LF in 19 cases (27.9%), with advanced LF in 13 cases (19.1%) and liver cirrhosis (LC) in 8 cases (11.8%); the liver histopathological examination showed LF S0, S1, S2, S3 and S4 in 15 cases(22.1%), 11 cases (16.2%), 20 cases (29.4%), 12 cases (17.6%) and 10 cases (14.7%); the LSM and SSM in 8 patients with LC proven by TE were (18.4±5.6)kPa and (22.6±4.6)kPa, significantly greater than [(10.7±3.3)kPa and (14.9±3.8)kPa, respectively, P<0.05] in 60 patients without LC; based on the gold criteria by histopathology, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy by TE in predicting LC were 70.0%, 98.3% and 94.1%, with good consistency (Kappa=0.744). Conclusion The TE imaging technique, as a good non-invasive approach, could be utilized in clinical practice for early diagnosis of LF and/or LC, which might be helpful for clinicians making interventional strategy.

Objective The present paper aimed to inhibit the expression of tumor suppressor p53-binding protein 2 (TP53BP2) in liver cancer by short hairpin RNAs(shRNAs) with lentiviral vector. Methods Two pairs of RNA interference sequences targeting to TP53BP52 gene were designed, and their corresponding shRNA sequences were synthesized. After annealing of shRNA to form double-stranded oligo sequences, the recombinant plasmid was constructed by gene recombination technique. The correct recombinant plasmid was used after PCR and sequencing identification of the colony for lentivirus packaging and titer determination. The interference effect of lentivirus lenti-shTP53BP2 on TP53BP2 gene in HepG2 cells was observed by Western Blot, qRT-PCR and laser confocal technique. Results The sequencing alignment results showed that each recombinant lentiviral vector was consistent with the designed reference sequence, indicating that each recombinant lentiviral vector was successfully constructed; the titers of pHS-ASR-LW429, pHS-ASR-LW512 and pHS-ASR-LW513 were 9.7×10⁸ TU/mL, 6.1×10⁸ TU/mL and 6.4×10⁸ TU/mL, respectively; the HepG2 cells were infected with lentivirus lenti-shTP53BP2 (pHS-ASR-LW512 and pHS-ASR-LW513), and the results of Western blot, qRT-PCR and laser confocal technique showed that the two lenti-shTP53BP2 significantly down-regulated the TP53BP2 RNA level and its protein expression in HepG2 cells as compared with the control lentivirus (PHS-ASR-LW429). Conclusion In this study, we successfully construct the shRNA lentiviral vector targeting to TP53BP2 gene with the capacity of effectively down-regulation of TP53BP2 expression in HepG2 cells, which might lay a foundation for further research on the mechanism of TP53BP2 in the hepatocarcinogenesis.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical implication of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha-fetoprotein-L-3 ratio (AFP-L3%) and protein induced by vitamin K antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) in early diagnosing and predicting prognosis of patients with primary liver cancer(PLC) . Methods A total of 87 patients with PLC, 79 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, 73 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 65 healthy persons were enrolled in our hospital between January 2016 and December 2018. All PLC patients underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and were followed-up for 3 years. Serum AFP and PIVKA-II levels were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay, and serum AFP-L3 level was assayed by immumofluorescence. The independent risk factors of impacting 3-year survival in patients with PLC were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis, and the prognostic value of serum AFP, AFP-L3% and PIVKA-II levels was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC). Results Serum AFP, AFP-L3% and PIVKA-II levels in patients with PLC were 402.5±95.3)μg/L, (12.9±3.1) and (824.5±82.1) mAU/mL, significantly higher than [(17.9±2.6)μg/L, (8.6±1.2) and (30.4±3.2)mAU/mL, P＜0.05] in patients with liver cirrhosis or [(20.3±6.4)μg/L,(5.4±0.9) and(29.8±3.0)mAU/mL, P＜0.05]in patients with CHB or [(2.2±0.1)μg/L, (2.7±0.4) and (26.3±3.4)mAU/mL, P＜0.05] in healthy individuals; serum AFP, AFP-L3% and PIVKA-II levels in 52 dead patients with PLC one month after TACE were (447.1±71.2)μg/L, (14.1±2.2) and (883.9±50.8) mAU/mL, much higher than [(336.2±58.4)μg/L, (11.0±1.8) and (736.2±37.0)mAU/mL, respectively, P＜0.05] in 35 survivals; the univariate analysis showed that TNM staging, Child class, extrahepatic metastasis, serum AFP, AFP-L3% and PIVKA-II levels were all influencing prognosis of patients with PLC (P<0.05), and the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that TNM staging III-IV, Child class C, extrahepatic metastasis, serum AFP ≥410.5μg/L, AFP-L3% ≥12.1 and PIVKA-II≥807.2 mAU/mL were all independent risk factors for poor prognosis of patients with PLC(P<0.05); the ROC analysis showed that the AUC was 0.908 when combination of serum AFP, AFP-L3% and PIVKA-II level detection in predicting the 3-year survival of patients with PLC, greatly superior to any parameter alone (the AUC were 0.763, 0.830 or 0.792, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusion The combination detection of serum AFP, AFP-L3% and PIVKA-II levels could help diagnose and early predict prognosis of patients with PLC after TACE treatment.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the implications of peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocyte (PBMC) thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods A total of 150 patients with NASH and 45 persons with simple fatty liver (SFL) were recruited in our hospital between January 2019 and January 2021, and all had their PBMCs being separated to detect the TXNIP/NLRP3 mRNA. All patients with NASH had liver biopsies at presentation for determination of liver tissues injury degrees as mild, moderate and severe, and had a second time liver biopsies a year after recruitment as for determination of progressive or non-progressive diseases. Results Serum ALT and AST levels in patients with NASH were (72.2±6.9)U/L and (61.8±5.1)U/L, both significantly higher than [(33.4±4.0)U/L and (31.3±3.1)U/L, respectively, P＜0.05] in patients with SFL; the PBMCs TXNIP mRNA, NLRP3 mRNA and the ratio of TXNIP/NLRP3 in patients with NASH were (1.9±0.1), (1.5±0.1) and (1.3±0.1), all significantly higher than [(0.7±0.1), (0.6±0.1) and (1.1±0.1), respectively, P＜0.05] in patients with SFL; the PBMCs TXNIP mRNA, NLRP3 mRNA and the ratio of TXNIP/NLRP3 in 33 patients with severe NASH were (2.4±0.2), (1.9±0.2) and (1.6±0.1), significantly higher than [(1.5±0.1), (1.2±0.1) and (1.0±0.1), respectively, P＜0.05] in 49 patients with mild NASH or [(2.0±0.2), (1.5±0.1) and (1.4±0.1), respectively, P＜0.05] in 68 patients with moderate NASH; the PBMCs TXNIP mRNA, NLRP3 mRNA and the ratio of TXNIP/NLRP3 in 31 patients with progressive NASH were (2.1±0.2), (1.7±0.2) and (1.5±0.1), all significantly higher than [(1.8±0.1), (1.4±0.1) and (1.2±0.1), respectively, P＜0.05] in 119 patients without progressive NASH. Conclusion The PBMC TXNIP/NLRP3 mRNA in patients with NASH significantly increase, seemingly have some correlation to the liver tissue injuries, and needs further investigation.

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) in physical examination individuals. Methods 1742 persons received physical examination in our hospital between January 2018 and January 2020, and 485 individuals were eligible for this study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The NAFLD was found by ultrasonography in 78 cases and not in 407 cases. The visceral adipose tissue (VAT)was obtained by CT scan, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and other common blood parameters were assayed. The risk factors for NAFLD was analyzed by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression. Results The incidences of concomitant blood hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia in patients with NAFLD were 29.5%, 35.9% and 51.3%, much higher than 18.7%, 23.8% and 23.6% (P<0.05), the body mass index, waist and hip circumference were (25.1±1.)kg/m², (90.4±6.3)cm and (101.3±8.4)cm, much higher than [(22.4±1.1)kg/m², (81.6±5.7)cm and (95.7±6.2)cm, respectively, P<0.05] in persons without NAFLD; serum TG, LDL-C and VAT were (2.9±0.3)mmol/L,(3.7±0.4)mmol/L and (146.3±12.1)cm², significantly higher than [(1.6±0.2)mmol/L, (3.1±0.2)mmol/L and (70.5±4.6)cm², respectively, P<0.05] in persons without NAFLD; serum ALT, FPG and UA levels were (56.6±11.7)u/L, (5.8±0.7)mmol/L and (387.8±36.3)μmol/L, all significantly higher than [(32.4±3.1)u/L, (5.1±0.4)mmol/L and (313.6±51.4)μmol/L, respectively, P<0.05] in persons without NAFLD; the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the increased BMI, elevated VAT, concomitant blood hypertension, and elevated serum TG, LDL-C, ALT and UA levels were all the independent risk factors, while the increased serum HDL-C level was the protective factor for the existence of NAFLD. Conclusion The prevalence of NAFLD in physical examination individuals is relative high, and some increased body health, blood and imaging parameters hints its existence, and warrants further check-up.