Hemodynamic and antifibrotic effects of a selective liver nitric oxide donor V-PYRRO/NO in bile duct ligated rats

AIM: To assess whether a liver specific nitric oxide (NO) donor (V-PYRRO/NO) would prevent the development of portal hypertension and liver fibrosis in rats with bile duct ligation (BDL). METHODS: Treatment (placebo or V-PYRRO/NO 0.53 μmol/kg per hour) was administered i.v. to rats 2 d before BDL (D-2) and maintained until the day of hemodynamic measurement (D26). Intra-hepatic NO level was estimated by measuring liver cGMP level. Effects of V-PYRRO/NO on liver fibrosis and lipid peroxidation were also assessed. RESULTS: Compared to placebo treatment, V-PYRRO/ NO improved splanchnic hemodynamics in BDL rats: portal pressure was significantly reduced by 27% (P < 0.0001) and collateral circulation development was almost completely blocked (splenorenal shunt blood flow by 74%, P = 0.007). Moreover, V-PYRRO/NO significantly prevented liver fibrosis development in BDL rats (by 30% in hepatic hydroxyproline content and 31% in the area of fibrosis, P < 0.0001 respectively), this effect being probably due to a decrease in lipid peroxidation by 44% in the hepatic malondialdehyde level (P = 0.007). Interestingly, we observed a significant and expected increase in liver cGMP, without any systemic hemodynamic effects (mean arterial pressure, vascular systemic resistance and cardiac output) in both sham- operated and BDL rats treated with V-PYRRO/NO. This result is in accordance with studies on V-PYRRO/NO metabolism showing a specific release of NO in the liver.NO in BDL rats improved liver fibrosis and splanchnic hemodynamics without any noxious systemic hemo- dynamic effects.

Protein-S-100-beta is increased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis admitted to ICU

Background Hepatic encephalopathy(HE)is highly prevalent in patients with liver diseases.The pathophysiology of HE is centered on the synergic role of hyperammonemia and systemic inflammation.However,some data suggest altered functioning of the blood–brain barrier(BBB).Assessing BBB function is challenging in clinical practice and at the bedside.Protein-S-100 Beta(PS100-Beta)could be a useful peripheral marker of BBB permeability in HE.This study aimed to assess plasmatic PS100-Beta levels in a prospective cohort of patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)with decompensated cirrhosis with and without overt HE.Methods We retrospectively evaluated a prospective cohort of cirrhotic patients admitted to the ICU from October 2013 to September 2015 that had an available plasmatic PS100-Beta measurement.Patients with previous neurological impairment or limitation of intensive or resuscitative measures were excluded.Overt HE was defined as West-Haven grades 2 to 4.The patients were compared to a control cohort of outpatient clinic cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients explored for isolated elevation of liver enzymes.After ICU discharge,the patients were followed for at least 3 months for the occurrence of overt HE.Adverse outcomes(liver transplantation or death)were collected.The ability of PS100-Beta–in combination with other factors–to predict overt HE was evaluated in a multivariate analysis using logistic regression.Likelihood ratios were used to determine the effects and calculate odds ratios(OR).Survival analysis was performed by using the Kaplan–Meier method and survival between groups was compared using a Log-rank test.Results A total of 194 ICU patients and 207 outpatients were included in the study.Increased levels of plasmatic PS100-Beta were detected in the ICU decompensated cirrhotic patients compared with the outpatients([0.15±0.01]mg/L vs.[0.08±0]mg/L,P<0.001).ICU patients with overt HE had higher levels of PS100-Beta([0.19±0.03]mg/L)compared with the ICU patients without overt HE([0.13±0.01]mg/L)(P=0.003).PS100-Beta levels did not differ in outpatients with F 0–3 compared to F 4 fibrosis(P=0.670).PS100-Beta values were correlated with Child-Pugh score(P<0.001),Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD)score(P=0.004),C-reactive protein(P<0.001),ammonemia(P<0.001),and chronic liver failure consortium(CLIF-C)organ failure(P<0.001)and CLIF-C acute-on-chronic(P=0.038)scores,but not with leukocytes(P=0.053),procalcitonin(PCT)(P=0.107),or the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio in ICU patients(P=0.522).In a multivariate model including age,ammonemia,PS100-Beta,PCT,MELD,presence of transjugular portosystemic shunt,and sodium level,the diagnostic performance was 0.765 for the diagnosis of overt HE.Patients with a PS100-Beta level<0.12 mg/L had a better overall survival(P=0.019)and a better survival without liver transplantation(P=0.013).Conclusions Serum levels of PS100-Beta are elevated in ICU patients with decompensated cirrhosis,and even more so in those displaying overt HE,and the levels are correlated with outcome.This suggests an increase in the permeability of the BBB in these patients.