Association of Cytokines with Clinical Indicators in Patients with Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Objective To explore characteristics of clinical parameters and cytokines in patients with drug-induced liver injury(DILI)caused by different drugs and their correlation with clinical indicators.Method The study was conducted on patients who were up to Review of Uncertainties in Confidence Assessment for Medical Tests(RUCAM)scoring criteria and clinically diagnosed with DILI.Based on Chinese herbal medicine,cardiovascular drugs,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),antiinfective drugs,and other drugs,patients were divided into five groups.Cytokines were measured by Luminex technology.Baseline characteristics of clinical biochemical indicators and cytokines in DILI patients and their correlation were analyzed.Results 73 patients were enrolled.Age among five groups was statistically different(P=0.032).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(P=0.033)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(P=0.007)in NSAIDs group were higher than those in chinese herbal medicine group.Interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)in patients with Chinese herbal medicine(IL-6:P<0.001;TNF-α:P<0.001)and cardiovascular medicine(IL-6:P=0.020;TNF-α:P=0.001)were lower than those in NSAIDs group.There was a positive correlation between ALT(r=0.697,P=0.025),AST(r=0.721,P=0.019),and IL-6 in NSAIDs group.Conclusion Older age may be more prone to DILI.Patients with NSAIDs have more severe liver damage in early stages of DILI,TNF-αand IL-6 may partake the inflammatory process of DILI.

Effects of Yigan Capsule on the expression of HMGB1,RAGE and NF-κB protein in rats with drug-induced liver injury

Objective:To study the effect of Yigan capsule on the expression of high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1),nuclear factor-B(NF-κB)and receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)in anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury(ATB-DILI),and to explore its protective effect and mechanism on ATB-DILI,so as to provide experimental basis for the clinical application of Yigan capsule.Methods:Twenty-four rats were divided into two groups.Except for the blank group(n=6),the other 18 rats were given isoniazid(INH)+rifampicin(RFP)(50 mg/kg.d)for 4 weeks.Then 18 rats were randomly divided into three groups(model group,low dose group of Yigan capsule and high dose group of Yigan capsule)according to 6 rats in each group.The blank group and the model group were given 0.9%sodium chloride solution by intragastric administration.The low dose group of Yigan capsule was 0.468 g/kg,and the high dose group of Yigan capsule was 1.872 g/kg[1].After 4 weeks,the pathological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.The contents of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT and TBIL were detected.The expression of HMGB1,NF-κBp65 and RAGE protein was detected by IHC.The expression levels of HMGB1,NF-κBp65,RAGE,TNF-αand IL-1βwere detected by WB.Result:HE staining showed that the structure of the liver in the model group was disordered,the liver cells showed swelling and fusion,the number of inflammatory cells increased and accompanied by punctate necrosis,while the above pathological changes in each treatment group of Yigan capsule were significantly improved.The contents of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT and TBIL in the model group were higher than those in the blank group(P<0.05).The contents of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT and TBIL in each treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the blank group,the expression levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the model group were increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of HMGB1,NF-κBp65 and RAGE were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the expression levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin each treatment group of Yigan capsule decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of HMGB1,NF-κBp65 and RAGE decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yigan capsule may inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors through HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κBp65 signaling pathway,thus protecting ATB-DILI.

Contribution of gut microbiota to drug-induced liver injury

Drug-induced liver injury(DILI)is caused by various drugs with complex pathogenesis,and diverse clinical and pathological phenotypes.Drugs damage the liver directly through drug hepatotoxicity,or indirectly through drug-mediated oxidative stress,immune injury and inflammatory insult,which eventually lead to hepatocyte necrosis.Recent studies have found that the composition,relative content and distribution of gut microbiota in patients and animal models of DILI have changed significantly.It has been confirmed that gut microbial dysbiosis brings about intestinal barrier destruction and microorganisms translocation,and the alteration of microbial metabolites may cause or aggravate DILI.In addition,antibiotics,probiotics,and fecal microbiota transplantation are all emerging as prospective therapeutic methods for DILI by regulating the gut microbiota.In this review,we discussed how the altered gut microbiota participates in DILI.

Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Anticancer Drug-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease

Drug-induced interstitial lung disease(DILD)is the most common pulmonary adverse event of anticancer drugs.In recent years,the incidence of anticancer DILD has gradually increased with the rapid development of novel anticancer agents.Due to the diverse clinical manifestations and the lack of specific diagnostic criteria,DILD is difficult to diagnose and may even become fatal if not treated properly.Herein,a multidisciplinary group of experts from oncology,respiratory,imaging,pharmacology,pathology,and radiology departments in China has reached the“expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of anticancer DILD”after several rounds of a comprehensive investigation.This consensus aims to improve the awareness of clinicians and provide recommendations for the early screening,diagnosis,and treatment of anticancer DILD.This consensus also emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration while managing DILD.

Impact of interleukin 6 levels on acute lung injury risk and disease severity in critically ill sepsis patients

BACKGROUND Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulation of the host response to infection that can lead to acute lung injury(ALI)and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS).Interleukin 6(IL-6)is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and its complications.AIM To investigate the relationship among plasma IL-6 levels,risk of ALI,and disease severity in critically ill patients with sepsis.METHODS This prospective and observational study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between January 2021 and December 2022.A total of 83 septic patients were enrolled.Plasma IL-6 levels were measured upon admission using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The development of ALI and MODS was monitored during hospitalization.Disease severity was evaluated by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II)and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)scores.RESULTS Among the 83 patients with sepsis,38(45.8%)developed ALI and 29(34.9%)developed MODS.Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients who developed ALI than in those without ALI(median:125.6 pg/mL vs 48.3 pg/mL;P<0.001).Similarly,patients with MODS had higher IL-6 levels than those without MODS(median:142.9 pg/mL vs 58.7 pg/mL;P<0.001).Plasma IL-6 levels were strongly and positively correlated with APACHE II(r=0.72;P<0.001)and SOFA scores(r=0.68;P<0.001).CONCLUSIONElevated plasma IL-6 levels in critically ill patients with sepsis were associated with an increased risk of ALI andMODS.Higher IL-6 levels were correlated with greater disease severity,as reflected by higher APACHE II andSOFA scores.These findings suggest that IL-6 may serve as a biomarker for predicting the development of ALI anddisease severity in patients with sepsis.

MicroRNA-451 from Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Inhibits Alveolar Macrophage Autophagy via Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway to Attenuate Burn-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats

Objective Our previous studies established that microRNA(miR)-451 from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(hUC-MSC-Exos)alleviates acute lung injury(ALI).This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which miR-451 in hUC-MSC-Exos reduces ALI by modulating macrophage autophagy.Methods Exosomes were isolated from hUC-MSCs.Severe burn-induced ALI rat models were treated with hUC-MSC-Exos carrying the miR-451 inhibitor.Hematoxylin-eosin staining evaluated inflammatory injury.Enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay measured lipopolysaccharide(LPS),tumor necrosis factor-α,and interleukin-1βlevels.qRT-PCR detected miR-451 and tuberous sclerosis complex 1(TSC1)expressions.The regulatory role of miR-451 on TSC1 was determined using a dual-luciferase reporter system.Western blotting determined TSC1 and proteins related to the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway and autophagy.Immunofluorescence analysis was conducted to examine exosomes phagocytosis in alveolar macrophages and autophagy level.Results hUC-MSC-Exos with miR-451 inhibitor reduced burn-induced ALI and promoted macrophage autophagy.MiR-451 could be transferred from hUC-MSCs to alveolar macrophages via exosomes and directly targeted TSC1.Inhibiting miR-451 in hUC-MSC-Exos elevated TSC1 expression and inactivated the mTOR pathway in alveolar macrophages.Silencing TSC1 activated mTOR signaling and inhibited autophagy,while TSC1 knockdown reversed the autophagy from the miR-451 inhibitor-induced.Conclusion miR-451 from hUC-MSC exosomes improves ALI by suppressing alveolar macrophage autophagy through modulation of the TSC1/mTOR pathway,providing a potential therapeutic strategy for ALI.

Mogroside IIE,an in vivo metabolite of sweet agent,alleviates acute lung injury via Pla2g2a-EGFR inhibition

In the face of increasingly serious environmental pollution,the health of human lung tissues is also facing serious threats.Mogroside IIE(M2E)is the main metabolite of sweetening agents mogrosides from the anti-tussive Chinese herbal Siraitia grosvenori.The study elucidated the anti-inflammatory action and molecular mechanism of M2E against acute lung injury(ALI).A lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ALI model was established in mice and MH-S cells were employed to explore the protective mechanism of M2E through the western blotting,co-immunoprecipitation,and quantitative real time-PCR analysis.The results indicated that M2E alleviated LPS-induced lung injury through restraining the activation of secreted phospholipase A2 type IIA(Pla2g2a)-epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR).The interaction of Pla2g2a and EGFR was identified by co-immunoprecipitation.In addition,M2E protected ALI induced with LPS against inflammatory and damage which were significantly dependent upon the downregulation of AKT and m TOR via the inhibition of Pla2g2a-EGFR.Pla2g2a may represent a potential target for M2E in the improvement of LPS-induced lung injury,which may represent a promising strategy to treat ALI.

Mechanisms and Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating NF-κB in the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute lung injury(ALI)has multiple causes and can easily progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)if not properly treated.Nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)is a key pathway in the treatment of ALI/ARDS.By exploring the relevance of NF-κB and the pathogenesis of this disease,it was found that this disease was mainly associated with inflammation,dysfunction of the endothelial barrier,oxidative stress,impaired clearance of alveolar fluid,and coagulation disorders.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has the characteristics of multitargeting,multipathway effects,and high safety,which can directly or indirectly affect the treatment of ALI/ARDS.This article summarizes the mechanism and treatment strategies of TCM in recent years through intervention in the NF-κB-related signaling pathways for treating ALI/ARDS.It provides an overview from the perspectives of Chinese herbal monomers,TCM couplet medicines,TCM injections,Chinese herbal compounds,and Chinese herbal preparations,offering insights into the prevention and treatment of ALI/ARDS with TCM.

Research Progress on the Pathogenesis of Acute Lung Injury(ALI)

In this review,the databases searched were PubMed and Web of Science.It is believed that the main causes of acute lung injury(ALI)and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)are inflammatory response disorders,excessive oxidative stress,cell death,endoplasmic reticulum stress,coagulation dysfunction,and weakened aquaporin function.

Research Progress on the Prevention of Premature Infant Lung Injury and Neonatal Respiratory Support

In the past 40 years,advances in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)technology have enabled premature infants with lower birth weight and younger gestational age to survive.But with it comes an increase in the incidence of long-term respiratory dysfunction,mainly in the form of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD).Preventing lung injury is crucial for preventing BPD and improving the long-term prognosis of premature infants.Therefore,how to avoid ventilator-associated lung injury has become a focus of clinical and scientific research in premature infants in recent years.This article will elaborate on the susceptibility and pathophysiology of premature infant lung injury,ventilation strategies for preventing lung injury,and new advances in neonatal respiratory support.

Modulating the crosstalk between macrophage and Th17: potential mechanism of natural products on acute lung injury

Sepsis is a life-threatening multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the imbalance of the immune response to infection,featuring complex and variable conditions,and is one of the leading causes of mortality in ICU patients.Lung injury is a common organ damage observed in sepsis patients.Macrophages and Th17 cells,as crucial components of innate and adaptive immunity,play pivotal roles in the development of sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI).This review summarizes the alterations and mechanisms of macrophages and Th17 cells in sepsis-induced ALI.By focusing on the“cross-talk”between macrophages and Th17 cells,this review aims to provide a solid theoretical foundation for further exploring the therapeutic targets of traditional Chinese medicine formulas in the treatment of sepsis complicated with ALI,thereby offering insights and guidance for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in managing sepsis-associated ALI.

COVID-19-related liver injury:Focus on genetic and drug-induced perspectives

BACKGROUND Empirical use of potentially hepatotoxic drugs in the management of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection is considered as one of the major etiopathogenetic factors for liver injury.Recent evidence has shown that an underlying genetic factor may also occur.Hence,it is important to understand the host genetics and iatrogenic-based mechanisms for liver dysfunction to make timely remedial measures.AIM To investigate drug-induced and genetic perspectives for the development of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)-related liver injury.METHODS Reference Citation Analysis,PubMed,Google Scholar and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched by employing the relevant MeSH keywords and pertaining data of the duration,site and type of study,sample size with any subgroups and drug-induced liver injury outcome.Genetic aspects were extracted from the most current pertinent publications.RESULTS In all studies,the hepatic specific aminotransferase and other biochemical indices were more than their prescribed upper normal limit in COVID-19 patients and were found to be significantly related with the gravity of disease,hospital stay,number of COVID-19 treatment drugs and worse clinical outcomes.In addition,membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 7 rs641738,rs11385942 G>GA at chromosome 3 gene cluster and rs657152 C>A at ABO blood locus was significantly associated with severity of livery injury in admitted SARS-CoV-2 patients.CONCLUSION Hepatic dysfunction in SARS-CoV-2 infection could be the result of individual drugs or due to drug-drug interactions and may be in a subset of patients with a geneticpropensity. Thus, serial estimation of hepatic indices in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients shouldbe done to make timely corrective actions for iatrogenic causes to avoid clinical deterioration.Additional molecular and translational research is warranted in this regard.

Periplaneta Americana Extract Ameliorates LPS-induced Acute Lung Injury Via Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Objective Acute lung injury(ALI)is an acute clinical syndrome characterized by uncontrolled inflammation response,which causes high mortality and poor prognosis.The present study determined the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Periplaneta americana extract(PAE)against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ALI.Methods The viability of MH-S cells was measured by MTT.ALI was induced in BALB/c mice by intranasal administration of LPS(5 mg/kg),and the pathological changes,oxidative stress,myeloperoxidase activity,lactate dehydrogenase activity,inflammatory cytokine expression,edema formation,and signal pathway activation in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were examined by H&E staining,MDA,SOD and CAT assays,MPO assay,ELISA,wet/dry analysis,immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting,respectively.Results The results revealed that PAE obviously inhibited the release of proinflammatory TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1βby suppressing the activation of MAPK/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathways in LPS-treated MH-S cells.Furthermore,PAE suppressed the neutrophil infiltration,permeability increase,pathological changes,cellular damage and death,pro-inflammatory cytokines expression,and oxidative stress upregulation,which was associated with its blockage of the MAPK/Akt/NF-κB pathway in lung tissues of ALI mice.Conclusion PAE may serve as a potential agent for ALI treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties,which correlate to the blockage of the MAPK/NF-κB and AKT signaling pathways.

Practical guidelines for diagnosis and early management of drug-induced liver injury

The spectrum of drug-induced liver injury （DILI） is both diverse and complex. The first step in diagnosis is a suspicion of DILl based on careful consideration of recent comprehensive reports on the disease. There are some situations in which the suspicion of DILI is particularly strong. Exclusion of other possible etiologies according to the pattern of liver injury is essential for the diagnosis. In patients with suspected DILl, diagnostic scales, such as the Councils for International Organizations of Medical Sciences/ Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method （CIOMS/RUCAM） scale, may be helpful for the final diagnosis. Early management of DILl involves prompt withdrawal of the drug suspected of being responsible, according to serum levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, alkaline phosphatase （ALP）, and total bilirubin （T-Bil）. However, as DILI patients may show resolution of liver injury without discontinuation of the drug, it should be carefully evaluated whether the suspected drug should be discontinued immediately with adequate consideration of the importance of the medication.

Drug-induced liver injury:Is it somehow foreseeable?

The classic view on the pathogenesis of drug-induced liver injury is that the so-called parent compounds are made hepatotoxic by metabolism (formation of neosubstances that react abnormally), mainly by cytochromes P-450 (CYP), with further pathways, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, also playing a role. Risk factors for drug-induced liver injury include concomitant hepatic diseases, age and genetic polymorphisms of CYP. However, some susceptibility can today be predicted before drug administration, working on the common substrate, by phenotyping and genotyping studies and by taking in consideration patients' health status. Physicians should always think of this adverse effect in the absence of other clear hepatic disease. Ethical and legal problems towards operators in the health care system are always matters to consider.

Dissecting the molecular pathophysiology of drug-induced liver injury

Drug-induced liver injury(DILI) has become a major topic in the field of Hepatology and Gastroenterology. DILI can be clinically divided into three phenotypes: hepatocytic, cholestatic and mixed. Although the clinical manifestations of DILI are variable and the pathogenesis complicated, recent insights using improved preclinical models, have allowed a better understanding of the mechanisms that trigger liver damage. In this review, we will discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying DILI. The toxicity of the drug eventually induces hepatocellular damage through multiple molecular pathways, including direct hepatic toxicity and innate and adaptive immune responses. Drugs or their metabolites, such as the common analgesic, acetaminophen, can cause direct hepatic toxicity through accumulation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction. The innate and adaptive immune responses play also a very important role in the occurrence of idiosyncratic DILI. Furthermore, we examine common forms of hepatocyte death and their association with the activation of specific signaling pathways.

Drug-induced liver injury: Do we know everything?

Interest in drug-induced liver injury(DILI) has dramatically increased over the past decade, and it has become a hot topic for clinicians, academics, pharmaceutical companies and regulatory bodies. By investigating the current state of the art, the latest scientific findings, controversies, and guidelines, this review will attempt to answer the question: Do we know everything? Since the first descriptions of hepatotoxicity over 70 years ago, more than 1000 drugs have been identified to date, however, much of our knowledge of diagnostic and pathophysiologic principles remains unchanged. Clinically ranging from asymptomatic transaminitis and acute or chronic hepatitis, to acute liver failure, DILI remains a leading causes of emergent liver transplant. The consumption of unregulated herbal and dietary supplements has introduced new challenges in epidemiological assessment and clinician management. As such, numerous registries have been created, including the United States Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network, to further our understanding of all aspects of DILI. The launch of Liver Tox and other online hepatotoxicity resources has increased our awareness of DILI. In 2013, the first guidelines for the diagnosis and management of DILI, were offered by the Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology, and along with the identification of risk factors and predictors of injury, novel mechanisms of injury, refined causality assessment tools, and targeted treatment options have come to define the current state of the art, however, gaps in our knowledge still undoubtedly remain.

Clinical characteristics of drug-induced liver injury and primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM To summarize and compare the clinical characteristics of drug-induced liver injury(DILI) and primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC).METHODS A total of 124 patients with DILI and 116 patients with PBC treated at Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from 2005 to 2013 were included. Demographic data(sex and age),biochemical indexes(total protein,albumin,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,indirect bilirubin,alkaline phosphatase,and gamma glutamyltransferase),immunological indexes [immunoglobulin(Ig) A,Ig G,Ig M,antinuclear antibody,anti-smooth muscle antibody,anti-mitochondrial antibody,and anti-mitochondrial antibodies] and pathological findings were compared in PBC patients,untyped DILI patients and patients with different types of DILI(hepatocellular type,cholestatic type and mixed type). RESULTS There were significant differences in age and gender distribution between DILI patients and PBC patients. Biochemical indexes(except ALB),immunological indexes,positive rates of autoantibodies(except SMA),and number of cases of patients with different ANA titers(except the group at a titer of 1:10000)significantly differed between DILI patients and PBC patients. Biochemical indexes,immunological indexes,and positive rate of autoantibodies were not quite similar in different types of DILI. PBC was histologically characterized mainly by edematous degeneration of hepatocytes(n = 30),inflammatory cell infiltration around bile ducts(n = 29),and atypical hyperplasia of small bile ducts(n = 28). DILI manifested mainly as fatty degeneration of hepatocytes(n = 15) and spotty necrosis or loss of hepatocytes(n = 14).CONCLUSION Although DILI and PBC share some similar laboratory tests(biochemical and immunological indexes) and pathological findings,they also show some distinct characteristics,which are helpful to the differential diagnosis of the two diseases.

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate alleviates the anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway:An experimental study

Objective:To study the effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC) on the anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury and the molecular mechanism. Methods:Clean male SD rats were selected as experimental animals and randomly divided into normal group,model group,PDTC group and AG490 group. Animal model of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury was established by intragastric administration isoniazid + rifampicin. PDTC group received intraperitoneal injection of PDTC,and AG490 group received intraperitoneal injection of AG490. Twenty-eight days after intervention,the rats were executed,and the liver injury indexes,inflammation indexes and oxidative stress indexes in serum as well as JAK2/STAT3 expression,liver injury indexes,inflammation indexes and oxidative stress indexes in liver tissue were determined. Results:p-JAK2,p-STAT3,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,ROS,8-OHdG and MDA expression in liver tissue as well as TBIL,ALT,AST,γ-GT,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,ROS,8-OHdG and MDA levels in serum of model group were significantly higher than those of normal group while p-JAK2,p-STAT3,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,ROS,8-OHdG and MDA expression in liver tissu as well as TBIL,ALT,AST,γ-GT,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,ROS,8-OHdG and MDA levels in serum of PDTC group and AG490 group were significantly lower than those of model group. Conclusions:PDTC can inhibit the inflammation and oxidative stress mediated by JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to alleviate the anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury.

Drug-induced liver injury in hospitalized patients with notably elevated alanine aminotransferase

AIM： To identify the proportion, causes and the nature of drug-induced liver injury （DILI） in patients with no- tably elevated alanine aminotransferase （ALT）. METHODS： All the inpatients with ALT levels above 10 times upper limit of normal range （ULN） were ret- rospectively identified from a computerized clinical laboratory database at our hospital covering a 12-mo period. Relevant clinical information was obtained from medical records. Alternative causes of ALT eleva- tions were examined for each patient, including bili- ary abnormality, viral hepatitis, hemodynamic injury, malignancy, DILI or undetermined and other causes. All suspected DILI cases were causality assessed usingthe Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences scale, and only the cases classified as highly probable, probable, or possible were diagnosed as DILI. Comments related to the diagnosis of DILI in the medical record and in the discharge letter for each case were also examined to evaluate DILI detection by the treating doctors. RESULTS： A total of 129 cases with ALT 〉 i0 ULN were identified. Hemodynamic injury （n = 46, 35.7%）, DILl （n = 25, 19.4%） and malignancy （n = 21, 16.3%） were the top three causes of liver injury. Peak ALT val- ues were lower in DILI patients than in patients with hemodynamic injury （14.5 5.6 ULN vs 32.5 ：I： 30.7 ULN, P = 0.001）. Among DILI patients, one （4%） case was classified as definite, 19 （76%） cases were clas- sified as probable and 5 （20%） as possible according to the ClOMS scale. A hepatocellular pattern was ob- served in 23 （92%） cases and mixed in 2 （8%）. The extent of severity of liver injury was mild in 21 （84%） patients and moderate in 4 （16%）. Before discharge, 10 （40%） patients were recovered and the other 15 （60%） were improved. The improved patients tended to have a higher peak ALT （808 ＋ 348 U/L vs 623 ＋ 118 U/L, P = 0.016） and shorter treatment duration before discharge （8 ＋ 6 d vs 28 ~ 12 d, P = 0.008） compared with the recovered patients. Twenty-two drugs and 6 herbs were found associated with DILl. Antibacterials were the most common agents causing DILI in 8 （32%） cases, followed by glucocorticoids in 6 （24%） cases. Twenty-four （96%） cases received treatment of DILl with at least one adjunctive drug. Agents for treatment of DILI included anti-inflammatory drugs （e.g., glycyr- rhizinate）, antioxidants （e.g., glutathione, ademetionine 1,4-butanedisulfonate and tiopronin）, polyene phospha- tidyl choline and herbal extracts （e.g., protoporphyrin disodium and silymarin）. Diagnosis of DILl was not mentioned in the discharge letter in 60% of the cases. Relative to prevalent cases and cases from wards of internal medicine, incident cases and cases from surgi- cal wards had a higher risk of missed diagnosis in dis- charge letter [odds ratio （OR） 32.7, 95%CI （2.8-374.1）,CONCLUSION： DILI is mostly caused by use of anti- bacterials and glucocorticoids, and constitutes about one fifth of hospitalized patients with ALT 〉 10 ULN. DILI is underdiagnosed frequently.