Initial Experience With Nalmefene in Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: A Real-World Retrospective Study.

Background: Complete abstinence is the cornerstone of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) management. However, many patients struggle to achieve or sustain abstinence, prompting growing interest in harm reduction strategies, particularly pharmacological interventions to reduce alcohol intake. Nalmefene, an opioid receptor modulator, has shown efficacy in reducing alcohol consumption among individuals with alcohol dependence.

Clinical Significance of Marginal Zinc Deficiency as a Predictor of Covert Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis.

Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) can worsen the quality of life and prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. We analyzed the risk factors of CHE and identified patients at high risk for overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) who would benefit from therapeutic interventions. We included 145 patients without a history of or treatment for overt HE.

Prognostic significance of skeletal muscle mass in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of hand grip strength (HGS) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Methods: 535 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) were assessed for HGS and computed tomography (CT)-based SMI. They were categorized into alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD; n = 226), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH; n = 119), and virus-related cirrhosis (VC, n = 190) groups.

Fibrosis stage is an independent predictor of liver-related complications in primary biliary cholangitis.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the predictive ability of the histological stage (HS) compared with biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (BR) on developing complications in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).

Methods: Overall, 226 patients with asymptomatic PBC treated with UDCA were enrolled. Pathological staging was conducted based on the Scheuer and Nakanuma classifications, which were graded for liver fibrosis (fibrosis) and bile duct loss (BDL).

Site of Biopsy and Its Accuracy in Preoperative Diagnosis of Superficial Nonampullary Duodenal Epithelial Tumors: Retrospective Study.

As endoscopy is increasingly being used to diagnose superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs), there is a growing need for their early detection and minimally invasive treatment. This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of biopsy specimens for SNADETs. We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinicopathologic data from 98 patients with SNADETs who had undergone endoscopic resection.

Risk Factors for Intrahepatic Distant Recurrence After Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Aim: The incidence of intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains high after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). However, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has insufficient screening power. This study aimed to identify risk factors for IDR in patients with post-RFA HCC.

Blockade of angiotensin II modulates insulin-like growth factor 1-mediated skeletal muscle homeostasis in experimental steatohepatitis.

Sarcopenia is associated with mortality in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) has been suggested to prevent sarcopenia, but reports on its effect on NASH-derived skeletal muscle atrophy in conjunction with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-mediated muscle homeostasis are few. Our aim was to examine the combined effect of the ARB losartan and IGF-1 replacement on skeletal muscle atrophy in a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet-fed murine steatohepatitis model.

Effects of entecavir and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate treatment on renal function in Japanese elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Aim: Entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) are considered safe nucleoside/nucleotide analogs (NA) for the kidney. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of ETV or TAF on renal function in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Japan.

Methods: The study included 246 CHB patients treated with ETV (184 patients) or TAF (62 patients) for at least 2 years.

Vitamin D deficiency exacerbates alcohol-related liver injury via gut barrier disruption and hepatic overload of endotoxin.

Endogenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that translocates via the disrupted intestinal barrier plays an essential role in the progression of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). Vitamin D deficiency is observed in ALD, and it participates in regulating gut barrier function. The current study aimed to examine the association between vitamin D deficiency and endotoxemia in patients with ALD-related cirrhosis.

A Combination of an Angiotensin II Receptor and a Neprilysin Inhibitor Attenuates Liver Fibrosis by Preventing Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has gained attention due to its role as a mediator of liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Meanwhile, the natriuretic peptide (NP) system, including atrial NP (ANP) and C-type NP (CNP), is a counter-regulatory hormone regulated by neprilysin. Although the combination of an angiotensin receptor and a neprilysin inhibitor (sacubitril/valsartan: SAC/VAL) has shown clinical efficacy in patients with heart failure, its potential effects on hepatic fibrosis have not been clarified.

The Ratio of von Willebrand Factor Antigen to ADAMTS13 Activity: Usefulness as a Prognostic Biomarker in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has a high risk of short-term mortality. A disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) is a metalloproteinase that specifically cleaves multimeric von Willebrand factor (VWF). Imbalance between ADAMTS13 and VWF is associated with portal hypertension, which induces ACLF development.