Sepsis-associated liver injury:Mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets

In this editorial,we examined a recent article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology that focused on sepsis-associated liver injury(SLI)and its treatment.SLI is a serious complication of sepsis,primarily caused by microcirculatory disturbances,the gut-liver axis,and inflammatory responses.Specific treatment recommendations for SLI are lacking.The gut-liver axis represents a potential therapeutic target,with metformin showing promise in modulating the gut microbiome and enhancing intestinal barrier function.Although immunomodulatory therapies are being explored,anti-tumor necrosis factor agents and interleukin-1 receptor antagonists have not demonstrated significant clinical benefits.Statins may reduce liver inflammation and prevent injury in sepsis,but their clinical application is limited.Reduced D-related human leucocyte antigen expression on monocytes and lymphocytes suggests immune suppression in patients,indicating that corticosteroids could reverse clinical deterioration in severe infections and address adrenal cortical insufficiency.Current large-scale studies on glucocorticoid therapy for sepsis have yielded mixed results,likely due to inadequate assessment of the immune status of the host.Future research should prioritize the development of personalized immunotherapy tailored to patients’immune profiles,focusing on identifying novel indicators of immune status and advancing immunomodulatory targets and therapeutics for septic patients.

Protective mechanism of Paeoniae Radix Alba against chemical liver injury based on network pharmacology,molecular docking,and in vitro experiments

Objective:To explore and validate the potential targets of Paeoniae Radix Alba(P.Radix,Bai Shao)in protecting against chemical liver injury through network pharmacology,molecular docking technology,and in vitro cell experiments.Methods:Network pharmacology was used to identify the common potential targets of P.Radix and chemical liver injury.Molecular docking was used to fit the components,which were subsequently verified in vitro.A cell model of hepatic fibrosis was established by activating hepatic stellate cell(HSC)-LX2 cells with 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor-β1.The cells were exposed to different concentrations of total glucosides of paeony(TGP),the active substance of P.Radix,and then evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 assay,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and western blot.Results:Analysis through network pharmacology revealed 13 key compounds of P.Radix,and the potential targets for preventing chemical liver injury were IL-6,AKT serine/threonine kinase 1,jun protooncogene,heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1(HSP90AA1),peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARG),PTGS2,and CASP3.Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of response to drugs,membrane rafts,and peptide binding.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis revealed that the main pathways involved lipid and atherosclerosis and chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation.Paeoniflorin and albiflorin exhibited strong affinity for HSP90AA1,PTGS2,PPARG,and CASP3.Different concentrations of TGP can inhibit the expression of COL-I,COL-III,IL-6,TNF-a,IL-1β,HSP-90a,and PTGS2 while increasing the expression of PPAR-γand CASP3 in activated HSC-LX2 cells.Conclusion:P.Radix primarily can regulate targets such as HSP90AA1,PTGS2,PPARG,CASP3.TGP,the main active compound of P.Radix,protects against chemical liver injury by reducing the inflammatory response,activating apoptotic proteins,and promoting the apoptosis of activated HSCs.

Acute Toxicity of Jinchuan Formula Plum Wine Extract and Its Protective Effect on Mice with Liver Injury

[Objectives]To investigate the acute toxicity and hepatoprotective effect of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract on mice,determine its safety range,and evaluate its hepatoprotective effect.[Methods]The median lethal dose(LD_(50))was determined by acute toxicity test with the toxic reaction and mortality of mice as indexes.Sixty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control group,model group(ConA-induced liver injury model),Jinchuan formula plum wine high,medium and low dose groups(1.0,0.5,0.25 g/kg)and silybin group(0.1 g/kg).The levels of ALT,AST,LDH in serum and TG,VLDL in liver were measured.After HE staining,the pathological changes of liver tissue in mice were observed,and the liver protective effect of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract was analyzed and evaluated.[Results]LD_(50)was 11.18 g/kg,and the 95%confidence limit of LD_(50)was 10.31-12.05 g/kg.The high-dose group of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract could significantly reduce the serum ALT and AST activities of ConA-induced liver injury mice(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Jinchuan formula plum wine extract is relatively safe,and also has a protective effect on liver injury.

Biochemistry and transcriptome analysis reveal condensed tannins alleviate liver injury induced by regulating cholesterol metabolism pathway

Free cholesterol has been considered to be a critical risk factor of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).It remains unknown whether dietary intake of condensed tannins(CTs)have distinguishable effects to alleviate liver damage caused by a high cholesterol diet.Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high cholesterol diet for 6 weeks,and given CTs treatment at a dosage of 200 mg/(kg·day)at the same time.The results indicated that compared with mice fed a normal diet,a high cholesterol diet group resulted in significant weight loss,dysregulation of lipid metabolism in blood and liver,and oxidative stress in the liver,but CTs treatment dramatically reversed these negative effects.Hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining and frozen section observation manifested that CTs treatment could effectively reduce the deposition of liver cholesterol and tissue necrosis caused by high cholesterol intake.CTs alleviated liver injury mainly by regulating the expression of related genes in cholesterol metabolism pathway and AMPK phosphorylation.Our results confirmed that CTs have remarkable cholesterol lowering and anti-liver injury effects in vivo.

Effi cacy of partial and complete resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in the hemorrhagic shock model of liver injury

BACKGROUND:Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta(REBOA)can temporarily control traumatic bleeding.However,its prolonged use potentially leads to ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI).Partial REBOA(pREBOA)can alleviate ischemic burden;however,its security and eff ectiveness prior to operative hemorrhage control remains unknown.Hence,we aimed to estimate the effi cacy of pREBOA in a swine model of liver injury using an experimental sliding-chamber ballistic gun.METHODS:Twenty Landrace pigs were randomized into control(no aortic occlusion)(n=5),intervention with complete REBOA(cREBOA)(n=5),continuous pREBOA(C-pREBOA)(n=5),and sequential pREBOA(S-pREBOA)(n=5)groups.In the cREBOA and C-pREBOA groups,the balloon was inflated for 60 min.The hemodynamic and laboratory values were compared at various observation time points.Tissue samples immediately after animal euthanasia from the myocardium,liver,kidneys,and duodenum were collected for histological assessment using hematoxylin and eosin staining.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,the survival rate of the REBOA groups was prominently improved(all P<0.05).The total volume of blood loss was markedly lower in the cREBOA group(493.14±127.31 mL)compared with other groups(P<0.01).The pH was significantly lower at 180 min in the cREBOA and S-pREBOA groups(P<0.05).At 120 min,the S-pREBOA group showed higher alanine aminotransferase(P<0.05)but lower blood urea nitrogen compared with the cREBOA group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:In this trauma model with liver injury,a 60-minute pREBOA resulted in improved survival rate and was effective in maintaining reliable aortic pressure,despite persistent hemorrhage.Extended tolerance time for aortic occlusion in Zone I for non-compressible torso hemorrhage was feasible with both continuous partial and sequential partial measures,and the significant improvement in the severity of acidosis and distal organ injury was observed in the sequential pREBOA.

Severe liver injury and clinical characteristics of occupational exposure to 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide: A case series

Background:The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide is a key intermediate in the synthesis of pesticides and pharmaceuticals.However,no literature currently exists on 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning in humans.This study aimed to reveal the health hazard of this chemical for humans and summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with occupational 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning.Methods:This observational study included four patients with 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning from June 2022 to July 2022.The entire course of the incidents was described in detail.Blood 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide concentrations were detected by a mass spectrometer.Hema-toxylin and eosin staining was performed to assess liver injury,and immunofluorescence was used to evaluate hepatic mitophagy.Results:The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide powder(99%purity)entered the human body mainly via the skin and respiratory tract due to poor personal protective measures.The typical course of 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning was divided into latency,rash,fever,organic dam-age,and recovery phases in accordance with the clinical evolution.Rash and fever may be the important premonitory symptoms for further organ injuries.The chemical was detected in the blood of all patients and caused multiple organ injuries,predominantly liver injury,including kidney,myocardium,and micro-circulation.Three patients recovered smoothly after comprehensive treatments,including artificial liver therapy,continuous renal replacement therapy,glucocorticoids,and other symptomatic and supportive treatments.One patient survived by liver transplantation.The postoperative pathological findings of the removed liver showed acute liver failure,and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the abundance of mitophagy in residual hepatocytes.Conclusions:This study is the first to elaborate the clinical characteristics of patients with 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning.The chemical enters the body through the respiratory tract and skin during industrial production.The 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide poisoning causes multiple-organ dysfunction with a predominance of liver injury.Liver transplantation may be an effective option for patients with severe liver failure.The mechanisms of liver injury induced by 2-amino-5-chloro-N,3-dimethylbenzamide might involve abnormal mitochondrial function and mitophagy.

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.

Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 alleviates liver injury in severe acute pancreatitis by restoring autophagy flux and inhibiting ferroptosis in hepatocytes

BACKGROUND Liver injury is common in severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).Excessive autophagy often leads to an imbalance of homeostasis in hepatocytes,which induces lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial iron deposition and ultimately leads to ferroptosis.Our previous study found that milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8(MFG-E8)alleviates acinar cell damage during SAP via binding toαvβ3/5 integrins.MFG-E8 also seems to mitigate pancreatic fibrosis via inhibiting chaperone-mediated autophagy.AIM To speculate whether MFG-E8 could also alleviate SAP induced liver injury by restoring the abnormal autophagy flux.METHODS SAP was induced in mice by 2 hly intraperitoneal injections of 4.0 g/kg L-arginine or 7 hly injections of 50μg/kg cerulein plus lipopolysaccharide.mfge8-knockout mice were used to study the effect of MFG-E8 deficiency on SAPinduced liver injury.Cilengitide,a specificαvβ3/5 integrin inhibitor,was used to investigate the possible mechanism of MFG-E8.RESULTS The results showed that MFG-E8 deficiency aggravated SAP-induced liver injury in mice,enhanced autophagy flux in hepatocyte,and worsened the degree of ferroptosis.Exogenous MFG-E8 reduced SAP-induced liver injury in a dose-dependent manner.Mechanistically,MFG-E8 mitigated excessive autophagy and inhibited ferroptosis in liver cells.Cilengitide abolished MFG-E8’s beneficial effects in SAP-induced liver injury.CONCLUSION MFG-E8 acts as an endogenous protective mediator in SAP-induced liver injury.MFG-E8 alleviates the excessive autophagy and inhibits ferroptosis in hepatocytes by binding to integrinαVβ3/5.

Albumin-bilirubin score in non-malignant liver and other diseases

The albumin-bilirubin(ALBI)score is derived from albumin and bilirubin levels.Currently,the ALBI score is widely used in various clinical settings.A recent article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology summarized the application of the ALBI score in various non-malignant liver diseases.The ALBI score has a predictive power that is superior or non-inferior to established numerous measures.This may be related to its contiguity,sensitivity,and inclusion of albumin.While we recognize the good results of the ALBI score in a number of diseases,the ALBI score also has limitations.Variation studies for population characteristics and other factors should be performed to validate the performance of ALBI.Further modifications or optimization of ALBI scores should be taken into account.

COVID-19 and liver injury: An ongoing challenge

The new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2)was identified in December 2019,in Wuhan,China.The virus was rapidly spread worldwide,causing coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Although COVID-19 is presented,usually,with typical respiratory symptoms(i.e.,dyspnea,cough)and fever,extrapulmonary manifestations are also encountered.Liver injury is a common feature in patients with COVID-19 and ranges from mild and temporary elevation of liver enzymes to severe liver injury and,even,acute liver failure.The pathogenesis of liver damage is not clearly defined;multiple mechanisms contribute to liver disorder,including direct cytopathic viral effect,cytokine storm and immune-mediated hepatitis,hypoxic injury,and druginduced liver toxicity.Patients with underlying chronic liver disease(i.e.,cirrhosis,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,alcohol-related liver disease,hepatocellular carcinoma,etc.)may have greater risk to develop both severe COVID-19 and further liver deterioration,and,as a consequence,certain issues should be considered during disease management.The aim of this review is to present the prevalence,clinical manifestation and pathophysiological mechanisms of liver injury in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Moreover,we overview the association between chronic liver disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection and we briefly discuss the management of liver injury during COVID-19.

COVID-19 and liver injury:Pathophysiology,risk factors,outcome and management in special populations

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is an ongoing health concern.In addition to affecting the respiratory system,COVID-19 can potentially damage other systems in the body,leading to extra-pulmonary manifestations.Hepatic manifestations are among the common consequences of COVID-19.Although the precise mechanism of liver injury is still questionable,several mechanisms have been hypothesized,including direct viral effect,cytokine storm,hypoxic-ischemic injury,hypoxiareperfusion injury,ferroptosis,and hepatotoxic medications.Risk factors of COVID-19-induced liver injury include severe COVID-19 infection,male gender,advanced age,obesity,and underlying diseases.The presentations of liver involvement comprise abnormalities in liver enzymes and radiologic findings,which can be utilized to predict the prognosis.Increased gamma-glutamyltransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,and alanine aminotransferase levels with hypoalbuminemia can indicate severe liver injury and anticipate the need for intensive care units’hospitalization.In imaging,a lower liver-to-spleen ratio and liver computed tomography attenuation may indicate a more severe illness.Furthermore,chronic liver disease patients are at a higher risk for severe disease and death from COVID-19.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease had the highest risk of advanced COVID-19 disease and death,followed by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.In addition to COVID-19-induced liver injury,the pandemic has also altered the epidemiology and pattern of some hepatic diseases,such as alcoholic liver disease and hepatitis B.Therefore,it warrants special vigilance and awareness by healthcare professionals to screen and treat COVID-19-associated liver injury accordingly.

Current remarks and future directions on the interactions between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and COVID-19

During the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,particular interest rose regarding the interaction between metabolic dysfunctionassociated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)and the COVID-19 infection.Several studies highlighted the fact that individuals with MAFLD had higher probability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and more severe adverse clinical outcomes.One of the proposed mechanisms is the inflammatory response pathway,especially the one involving cytokines,such as interleukin 6,which appeared particularly elevated in those patients and was deemed responsible for additional insult to the already damaged liver.This should increase our vigilance in terms of early detection,close follow up and early treatment for individuals with MAFLD and COVID-19 infection.In the direction of early diagnosis,biomarkers such as cytokeratin-18 and scoring systems such as Fibrosis-4 index score are proposed.COVID-19 is a newly described entity,expected to be of concern for the years to come,and MAFLD is a condition with an ever-increasing impact.Delineating the interaction between these two entities should be brought into the focus of research.Reducing morbidity and mortality of patients with COVID-19 and MAFLD should be the ultimate objective,and the optimal way to achieve this is by designing evidence-based prevention and treatment policies.

Insights into skullcap herb-induced liver injury

This editorial addresses the growing concern of herb-induced liver injury(HILI),focusing on a unique case of Skullcap-induced HILI report.This editorial underscore the significant mortality rate linked to Skullcap-induced HILI,emphasizing the importance of vigilant monitoring and intervention.As herbal supplement usage rises,collaboration among clinicians and researchers is crucial to comprehend and address the complexities of HILI,particularly those involving Skullcap.

Spectrum of COVID-19 induced liver injury:A review report

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has caused changes in the global health system,causing significant setbacks in healthcare systems worldwide.This pandemic has also shown resilience,flexibility,and creativity in reacting to the tragedy.The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection targets most of the respiratory tract,resulting in a severe sickness called acute respiratory distress syndrome that may be fatal in some individuals.Although the lung is the primary organ targeted by COVID-19 viruses,the clinical aspect of the disease is varied and ranges from asymptomatic to respiratory failure.However,due to an unorganized immune response and several affected mechanisms,the liver may also experience liver cell injury,ischemic liver dysfunction,and drug-induced liver injury,which can result in respiratory failure because of the immune system’s disordered response and other compromised processes that can end in multisystem organ failure.Patients with liver cirrhosis or those who have impaired immune systems may be more likely than other groups to experience worse results from the SARS-CoV-2 infection.We thus intend to examine the pathogenesis,current therapy,and consequences of liver damage concerning COVID-19.

COVID-19-induced liver injury in infants,children,and adolescents

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)typically presents with fever and respiratory symptoms in children.Most children develop an asymptomatic and mild illness,with a minority requiring specialist medical care.Gastrointestinal manifestations and liver injury can also occur in children following infection.The mechanisms of liver injury may include infection following direct viral hepatic tissue invasion,immune response,or medication effects.Affected children might develop mild liver dysfunction which has a benign course in most children with no pre-existing liver disease.However,the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or other pre-existing chronic liver disorders is associated with a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness with poor outcomes.On the other hand,the presence of liver manifestations is associated with the severity of COVID-19 disease and is considered an independent prognostic factor.Respiratory,hemodynamic,and nutritional supportive therapies are the mainstay of management.Vaccination of children at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease is indicated.This review describes the liver manifestations in children with COVID-19,detailing its epidemiology,basic mechanisms,clinical expression,management,and prognosis in those with and without pre-existing liver disease and also children who have had earlier liver transplantation.

Recent advances in the diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury

Drug-induced liver injury(DILI)is a major problem in the United States,commonly leading to hospital admission.Diagnosing DILI is difficult as it is a diagnosis of exclusion requiring a temporal relationship between drug exposure and liver injury and a thorough work up for other causes.In addition,DILI has a very variable clinical and histologic presentation that can mimic many different etiologies of liver disease.Objective scoring systems can assess the probability that a drug caused the liver injury but liver biopsy findings are not part of the criteria used in these systems.This review will address some of the recent updates to the scoring systems and the role of liver biopsy in the diagnosis of DILI.

Diagnostic value of tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex in sepsis-induced liver injury:A single-center retrospective casecontrol study

BACKGROUND Sepsis often causes severe liver injury and leads to poor patient outcomes.Early detection of sepsis-induced liver injury(SILI)and early treatment are key to improving outcomes.AIM To investigate the clinical characteristics of SILI patients and analyze the associated risk factors,to identify potential sensitive biomarkers.METHODS Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 546 patients with sepsis treated in the intensive care unit of the 908th Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force between May 2018 and December 2022.The patients were divided into the sepsis group(n=373)and SILI group(n=173)based on the presence of acute liver injury within 2 hours of admission.We used the random forest algorithm to analyze risk factors and assessed potential diagnostic markers of SILI using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve,Kaplan-Meier survival curves,subgroup analysis and correlation analysis.RESULTS Compared with the sepsis group,tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex(t-PAIC)levels in serum were significantly higher in the SILI group(P<0.05).Random forest results showed that t-PAIC was an independent risk factor for SILI,with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.862(95%confidence interval:0.832-0.892).Based on the optimal cut-off value of 11.9 ng/mL,patients at or above this threshold had significantly higher levels of lactate and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score.The survival rate of these patients was also significantly worse(hazard ratio=2.2,95%confidence interval:1.584-3.119,P<0.001).Spearman’s correlation coefficients were 0.42 between t-PAIC and lactate,and 0.41 between t-PAIC and aspartate transaminase.Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in t-PAIC levels between patients with different severity of liver dysfunction.CONCLUSION T-PAIC can serve as a diagnostic indicator for SILI,with its elevation correlated with the severity of SILI.

Chinese expert consensus on managing thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer and liver injury

Thrombocytopenia and liver injury are serious clinical problems in patients with cancer. The etiologyof thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer and liver injury (TCLI) is complicated. Managing cancertherapy-induced thrombocytopenia has gradually become standardized, and managing liver injuryassociatedthrombocytopenia has become more effective with the approval and marketing of relevantdrugs. However, the optimal strategy for managing thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer and liverinjury remains unclear, and the superposition of thrombocytopenia and liver injury further increasesthe difficulty of cancer treatment. Therefore, the Committee of Cancer Support Therapy of the ChineseAnti-Cancer Association has organized experts to analyze and discuss relevant literature to form aChinese expert consensus on managing thrombocytopenia in patients with cancer and liver injury(2022 Edition) to guide clinical practice.

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.

HSP110 aggravates ischemia-reperfusion injury after liver transplantation by promoting NF-κB pathway

Background:Ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)poses a significant challenge to liver transplantation(LT).The underlying mechanism primarily involves overactivation of the immune system.Heat shock protein 110(HSP110)functions as a molecular chaperone that helps stabilize protein structures.Methods:An IRI model was established by performing LT on Sprague-Dawley rats,and HSP110 was silenced using siRNA.Hematoxylin-eosin staining,TUNEL,immunohistochemistry,ELISA and liver enzyme analysis were performed to assess IRI following LT.Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were conducted to investigate the pertinent molecular changes.Results:Our findings revealed a significant increase in the expression of HSP110 at both the mRNA and protein levels in the rat liver following LT(P<0.05).However,when rats were injected with siRNAHSP110,IRI subsequent to LT was notably reduced(P<0.05).Additionally,the levels of liver enzymes and inflammatory chemokines in rat serum were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Silencing HSP110 with siRNA resulted in a marked decrease in M1-type polarization of Kupffer cells in the liver and downregulated the NF-κB pathway in the liver(P<0.05).Conclusions:HSP110 in the liver promotes IRI after LT in rats by activating the NF-κB pathway and inducing M1-type polarization of Kupffer cells.Targeting HSP110 to prevent IRI after LT may represent a promising new approach for the treatment of LT-associated IRI.