Kratom induced severe cholestatic liver injury histologically mimicking primary biliary cholangitis: A case report

BACKGROUND Kratom is a psychoactive substance that is isolated from the plant Mitragyna speciosa.The leaves can be chewed fresh or dried,smoked,or infused similar to herbal teas.The plant leaves have been used by natives of Southeast Asia for centuries.The substance has been used for its stimulant activity at low doses,and as an opium substitute at higher doses due to a morphine like effect.CASE SUMMARY A 37-year-old female with a history of depression and obesity(body mass index:32)presented to emergency room with a week-long history of nausea,decreased appetite,fatigue,and two days of jaundice.On admission bilirubin was markedly elevated.Her condition was thought to be due to consumption of Kratom 2 wk before onset of symptoms.Liver biopsy showed changes mimicking primary biliary cholangitis.Patient’s symptoms and jaundice improved quickly.CONCLUSION The use of Kratom has been on the rise in recent years across the United States and Europe.Several case reports have associated adverse health impact of Kratom-containing products including death due to its ability to alter levels of consciousness.Only a few case reports have highlighted the hepatotoxic effects of Kratom.Even fewer reports exist describing the detailed histopathological changes.

Alcohol-induced Wnt signaling inhibition during bone fracture healing is normalized by intermittent parathyroid hormone treatment

Nearly half of orthopaedic trauma patients are intoxicated at the time of injury, and excess alcohol consumption increases the risk for fracture nonunion. Previous studies show alcohol disrupts fracture associated Wnt signaling required for normal bone fracture repair. Intermittent parathyroid hormone(PTH) promotes bone growth through canonical Wnt signaling, however, no studies have investigated the effect of PTH on alcohol-inhibited bone fracture repair. Male C57 BL/6 mice received two-3 day alcohol binges separated by 4 days before receiving a mid-shaft tibia fracture. Postoperatively, mice received PTH daily until euthanasia. Wnt/β-catenin signaling was analyzed at 9 days post-fracture. As previously observed, acute alcohol exposure resulted in a >2-fold decrease in total and the active form of β-catenin and a 2-fold increase in inactive β-catenin within the fracture callus. Intermittent PTH abrogated the effect of alcohol on β-catenin within the fracture callus. Upstream of β-catenin, alcohol-treated animals had a 2-fold decrease in total LRP6, the Wnt co-receptor, which was restored with PTH treatment. Alcohol nor PTH had any significant effect on GSK-3β. These data show that intermittent PTH following a tibia fracture restores normal expression of Wnt signaling proteins within the fracture callus of alcohol-treated mice.

Pediatric-type follicular lymphoma in a Crohn’s disease patient receiving anti-α4β7-integrin therapy:A case report

BACKGROUND Patients with autoimmune conditions receiving immunosuppressants are at risk of non-Hodgkin lymphomas(NHL).Vedolizumab(anti-α4β7-integrin antibody),a treatment-of-choice for Crohn’s disease(CD),reduces inflammatory lymphocyte trafficking into the intestinal mucosa.This effect is believed to be confined to the colon.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a CD patient on vedolizumab for five years who developed pediatric-type follicular lymphoma.Work-up prior to therapy revealed a reduction in circulating T-lymphocytes and their suppressed response to mitogens.Rituximab,cyclophosphamide,vincristine,and prednisone chemoimmunotherapy resulted in durable lymphoma remission,and vedolizumab treatment was continued.While the patient’s T-lymphocyte population and immunoglobulin production recovered,the T-lymphocyte mitogen response remained suppressed.CONCLUSION This patient’s NHL may be linked to receiving anti-α4β7 therapy.Further research could be beneficial to determine if proactive surveillance for NHL and other systemic diseases is indicated in patients on vedolizumab.