Effects of Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 on gut microbial imbalance and liver function in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B cirrhosis(HBC)is a chronic disease characterized by irreversible diffuse liver damage and aggravated by intestinal microbial imbalance and metabolic dysfunction.Although the relationship between certain single probiotics and HBC has been explored,the impact of the complex ready-to-eat Lactobacillus paracasei N1115(LP N1115)supplement on patients with HBC has not been determined.AIM To compare the changes in the microbiota,inflammatory factor levels,and liver function before and after probiotic treatment in HBC patients.METHODS This study included 160 HBC patients diagnosed at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between October 2018 and December 2020.Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group that received LP N1115 supplementation and routine treatment and a control group that received routine treatment only.Fecal samples were collected at the onset and conclusion of the 12-wk intervention period.The structure of the intestinal microbiota and the levels of serological indicators,such as liver function and inflammatory factors,were assessed.RESULTS Following LP N1115 intervention,the intestinal microbial diversity significantly increased in the intervention group(P<0.05),and the structure of the intestinal microbiota was characterized by an increase in the proportions of probiotic microbes and a reduction in harmful bacteria.Additionally,the intervention group demonstrated notable improvements in liver function indices and significantly lower levels of inflammatory factors(P<0.05).CONCLUSION LP N1115 is a promising treatment for ameliorating intestinal microbial imbalance in HBC patients by modulating the structure of the intestinal microbiota,improving liver function,and reducing inflammatory factor levels.

Influence of Fuzheng Huayu Tablet(扶正化瘀片) on Mental State and Social Function of Patients with Post-Hepatitis B Liver Cirrhosis

Objective： To observe the influence of Fuzheng Huayu Tablet （扶正化瘀片, FZHYT） on mental state and social activity of patients with post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis （LC-HB）. Methods： Adopting grouped randomized double-blinded control method, 180 LC-HB patients in 3 research centers were distributed to 2 groups, the treated group and the control group, 90 in each group. Patients in the treated group were administered with FZHYT; while those in the control group treated with conventional therapy combined with placebo, the course for all patients were 6 months. Their mental state and social activity were evaluated before treatment, after 3 months＇ treatment and at terminal of the 6-month therapeutic course by estimating with Zung self-rating anxiety scale （SAS）, self-rating depression scale （SDS） and social deficit screening scale （SDSS）. Additionally, the basic demographic materials, liver function, cirrhosis index, hepatic and splenic images, blood coagulation function, etc. in the patients were tested and compared as well. Results： As compared with before treatment, the normal rate of SAS and SDS scores increased and the social deficit rate decreased in the treated group significantly after treatment, showing statistical significance （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）; while in the control group, change was only shown in the social deficit （P〈0.01）, inter-group comparisons after treatment showed significant differences in all the three indexes （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Additionally, after treatment, levels of liver function, cirrhosis, blood coagulation function and splenomegaly in the treated group were all improved significantly （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）, and the improvements were better than those in the control group （P〈0.01） in levels of total bilirubin （TBIL）, albumin （ALB）, type 1V collagen （1V-C）, prothrombin time （PT）, prothrombin activity （PTA）. Conclusion： Most patients of LC-HB have mental disturbance and social activity deficit, which could definitely be improved by intervention with Chinese FZHYT.

Virus-related liver cirrhosis: Molecular basis and therapeutic options

Chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the major causes of cirrhosis globally. It takes 10-20 years to progress from viral hepatitis to cirrhosis. Intermediately active hepatic inflammation caused by the infections contributes to the inflammation-necrosis-regeneration process, ultimately cirrhosis. CD8+ T cells and NK cells cause liver damage via targeting the infected hepatocytes directly and releasing pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokines. Hepatic stellate cells play an active role in fibrogenesis via secreting fibrosis-related factors. Under the inflammatory microenvironment, the viruses experience mutation-selection-adaptation to evade immune clearance. However, immune selection of some HBV mutations in the evolution towards cirrhosis seems different from that towards hepatocellular carcinoma. As viral replication is an important driving force of cirrhosis pathogenesis, antiviral treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs is generally effective in halting the progression of cirrhosis, improving liver function and reducing the morbidity of decompensated cirrhosis caused by chronic HBV infection. Interferon-α plus ribavirin and/or the direct acting antivirals such as Vaniprevir are effective for compensated cirrhosis caused by chronic HCV infection. The standard of care for the treatment of HCV-related cirrhosis with interferon-α plus ribavirin should consider the genotypes of IL-28B. Understanding the mechanism of fibrogenesis and hepatocyte regeneration will facilitate the development of novel therapies for decompensated cirrhosis.

Bacterial infection triggers and complicates acute-on-chronic liver failure in patients with hepatitis B virus-decompensated cirrhosis: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Reports on bacterial infection(BI)in decompensated cirrhosis(DC)is mainly from alcoholic cirrhosis.The role of BI as a trigger or complication of acute-onchronic liver failure(ACLF)in patients with hepatitis B virus decompensated cirrhosis(HBV-DC)remains to be investigated.AIM To investigate the impact of BI on the outcomes of the patients with HBV-DC admitted into the hospital with or without ACLF.METHODS This retrospective study included patients with HBV-DC admitted to two tertiary centers in China.In-hospital overall survival,90-d transplant-free survival,5-year post-discharge survival,and cumulative incidence of ACLF were evaluated.Risk factors for death were analyzed considering liver transplantation as a competing event.RESULTS A total of 1281 hospitalized HBV-DC patients were included;284 had ACLF at admission.The overall prevalence of BI was 28.1%.The patients with BI had a significantly lower in-hospital survival and transplant-free 90-d survival than those without,in both the patients admitted with and without ACLF.The presence of BI significantly increased the risk of developing ACLF[subdistribution hazard ratio(sHR)=2.52,95%CI:1.75-3.61,P<0.001]in the patients without ACLF.In the patients discharged alive,those who had an episode of BI had a significantly lower 5-year transplant-free survival.BI was an independent risk factor for death in the patients admitted without ACLF(sHR=3.28,95%CI:1.93-5.57),while in ACLF admissions,the presence of pneumonia,but not other type of BI,independently increased the risk of death(sHR=1.87,95%CI:1.24-2.82).CONCLUSION BI triggers ACLF in patients with HBV-DC and significantly impairs short-term survival.HBV-DC patients should be monitored carefully for the development of BI,especially pneumonia,to avoid an adverse outcome.

Novel index for the prediction of significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients in China

BACKGROUND Noninvasive,practical,and convenient means of detection for the prediction of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in China are greatly needed.AIM To develop a precise noninvasive test to stage liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.METHODS With liver biopsy as the gold standard,we established a new index,[alkaline phosphatase(U/L)+gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(U/L)/platelet(109/L)(AGPR)],to predict liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.In addition,we compared the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC)of AGPR,gammaglutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio,aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index,and FIB-4 and evaluated the accuracy of these routine laboratory indices in predicting liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.RESULTS Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between AGPR and liver fibrosis stage(P<0.001).In the training cohort,the AUROC of AGPR was 0.83(95%CI:0.78-0.87)for predicting fibrosis(≥F2),0.84(95%CI:0.79-0.88)for predicting extensive fibrosis(≥F3),and 0.87(95%CI:0.83-0.91)for predicting cirrhosis(F4).In the validation cohort,the AUROCs of AGPR to predict≥F2,≥F3 and F4 were 0.83(95%CI:0.77-0.88),0.83(95%CI:0.77-0.89),and 0.84(95%CI:0.78-0.89),respectively.CONCLUSION The AGPR index should become a new,simple,accurate,and noninvasive marker to predict liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Outcomes of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in decompensated liver cirrhosis

AIM: To determine the long-term efficacy of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) transplantation in terms of improving liver function and reducing complications in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

C–C motif chemokine ligand 16 inhibits the progression of liver cirrhosis via inactivating hepatic stellate cells

Background:Liver cirrhosis results from many forms of chronic damage,characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix.The present study aimed to explore a potential non-invasive biomarker and its mechanism in the progression of liver cirrhosis.Methods:Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)dataset(GSE15654,n=216)was analyzed to screen genes associated with progression of liver cirrhosis.A total of 181 plasma samples,including healthy control(HC,n=20),chronic hepatitis B(CHB,n=77)and HBV-related liver cirrhosis(LC,n=84),were enrolled for validation.In vitro and in vivo experiments were employed for the mechanistic investigation.Results:GEO dataset analysis showed that relatively low mRNA-expression of C–C motif chemokine ligand 16(CCL16)was associated with elevated Child-Pugh score(P=0.034)and worse prognosis(P=0.025).Plasma CCL16 level decreased in a stepwise pattern,with a median concentration of 10.29,6.57 and 4.47 ng/mL in the HC,CHB and LC groups,respectively(P<0.001).Low plasma CCL16 was significantly related to hepatic dysfunction both in the CHB and LC groups(P<0.05).Combination of CCL16 and ALT showed improved distinguishing capability for LC compared to either alone.In vitro,CCL16 expression was downregulated by lipopolysaccharide and hypoxia.Overexpression of CCL16 from human normal liver cell line(LO2)reduced the extracellular matrix associated proteins(Col1 and Col4)in human hepatic stellate cell line(LX-2).In vivo,the pathological feature of cirrhosis was alleviated by the hepatocytespecific expression of CCL16.Conclusions:CCL16 could be a feasible plasma marker to predict the occurrence and progression of liver cirrhosis.CCL16 might impact liver cirrhosis through inactivating hepatic stellate cells.

Invasive group B streptococcal infection in a patient with post splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension

BACKGROUND:Splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis(LC)is expected to become more common owing to its efficacy on portal hemodynamics.In this report we describe an alarming case of group B streptococcus(GBS)infection after splenectomy in a patient with LC.METHODS:A 72-year-old woman with a history of LC was admitted to our emergency department because of respiratory failure.The patient had received left lateral segmentectomy of the liver and splenectomy three months before admission.Pulmonary examination revealed significant wheezing during inspiration and expiration,but no crackles and stridor.Chest radiography and CT showed no infiltrates.A presumptive diagnosis of bronchial asthma caused by upper respiratory infection was made.Four days after admission,GBS infection was confirmed by blood culture and penicillin G was administered.Antibiotics were given intravenously for a total of 12 days.RESULTS:The patient was discharged on the 12th day after admission.CONCLUSIONS:Although efficacy of splenectomy in patients with LC has been reported,immune status should be evaluated for a longer period.Patients who have undergone splenectomy are highly susceptible to bacteria;moreover,LC itself is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with sepsis.Since prophylaxis against GBS has not been established,immediate action should be taken.Emergency physicians should be aware of invasive GBS infection in the context of the critical risk factors related to splenectomy and LC,particularly the expected increase of splenectomy performed in LC patients.

EXPRESSION OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR Ⅱ(IGF-Ⅱ)IN HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND LIVER CIRRHOSIS:ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH HEPATITIS B VIRUS X PROTEIN EXPRESSION

Sixty cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 47 cases of liver cirrhosis (LC) were examined with immunocytochemistry method using antibodies against IGF-II and HBxAg on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. 32 HCC and 37 LC were found to be positive to HBxAg, in which the positive rates of IGF-II were 100% (32/32) and 94.6% (35/37) respectively. 28 HCC and 10 LC were found to be HBxAg negative, IGF-II was positive in 23 HCC (83.1%) and 6 LC (60%). The positive expression rates of IGF-II in HBxAg positive tissues were significantly higher than those in HBxAg negative tissues (P<0.05). There were three types of distribution of IGF-II expression in HCC and LC: (1) perinucleus; (2) diffuse in cytoplasm; (3) inside nucleus. IGF-II was highly expressed in most of hyperplastic and neoplastic nodules hepatocytes and some of regeneration nodules. Small polygonal liver cells (SPLCs) were found in the liver tissues surrounding the tumor and cirrhosis and they were positive to both IGF-II and HBxAg. The positive rates of IGF-II in SPLC were 86.4% (38/44) in the HBxAg-positive tissues and 40.5%, (15/37) in the HBxAg-negative tissues. The above findings suggest that IGF-II plays an important role in abnormal proliferation of HCC and SPLC. The relation between IGF-II andHBxAg and the nature of SPLCs are also discussed.

Distribution of HBV DNA and HBsAg in the liver of patients with liver cirrhosis and its significance

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA and HBsAg were detected in 51 human paraf- fin-embedded sections of liver cirrhosis by the double labelling technique of in situ hybfidiza- tion and PAP method.The results showed that the positive sections were 21(41.2％)for HBV DNA,43(84.3％)for HBsAg and 19(37.3％)for both HBV DNA and HBsAg.HBV DNA-positive grains were localized predominantly in the cytoplasm of hepatic cells or in both nucleus and cytoplasm,a few only in the nucleus or the inner side of the cell membrane.In active cirrhosis and inactive cirrhosis,the positive rates of HBV DNA were 52.8％ and 13.3％,respectively,and for both HBV DNA and HBsAg,they were 47.2％ and 13.3％ restively.The positive rate is higher in active cirrhosis than in inactive cirrhosis(P<0.05).The results further indicated that the infection of HBV and the existence and persistent action of HBV DNA in the liver tissues are one of the important factors of the development of liver cirrhosis.

Distribution and significance of HBV DNA and HBAg in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis

In order to investigate the relationship between HBV and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),hepatitis B virus DNA(HBV DNA),HBxAg and HBcAg were detected in 44 paraffin-embedded samples of HCC tissue(17 cases with cancer-surrounding hepatic tissues) and 42 case

Hepatitis B cirrhosis combined with Budd-Chiari syndrome treated by liver transplantation:Case report and literature review

Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical treatment experience of hepatitis B cirrhosis combined with Budd-Chiari syndrome.Methods:Data was obtained from a patient who were diagnosed with hepatitis B cirrhosis combined with Budd-Chiari syndrome.We retrospectively analyzed the clinical character of the patient.Results:The patient was diagnosed with Budd-Chiari syndrome incidentally during operation.so the patient underwent orthotopic liver transplanation,in which the liver and retrohepatic vena cava were resected,and recovered uneventfully.Conclusion:Orthotopic liver transplantation is not only an ideal treatment but also improves the prognosis of patients for hepatitis B cirrhosis combined with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Induced by HBV Infection and Combined with Mild Alcohol Intake

Objective To investigate the differences of clinical and biochemical characteristics between patients with liver cirrhosis induced by HBV infection combined with and without mild alcohol intake.Methods Data of patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in the First Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups: patients with liver cirrhosis induced by HBV infection and combined with mild alcohol intake, patients with HBV-related cirrhosis, and patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. Biochemical detections including liver function, fasting lipid profiles, lipoprotein, kidney function, glucose, uric acid and regular blood tests were carried out and results were compared among three groups. Data were analyzed through STATA software and co-variant analysis. Results Total of 2 350 patients with liver cirrhosis were included, 732 patients had cirrhosis induced by HBV infection combined with mild alcohol intake, 1 316 patients had HBV-related liver cirrhosis, 302 patients had alcohol-related cirrhosis. The highest mean level of white cell count, mean corpuscular volume, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and uric acid were observed in HBV infection combined with mild alcohol intake group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that HBV infection, excessive alcohol intake, male and age were risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis. Conclusions HBV infection combined with mild alcoholic-related liver cirrhosis group showed the highest oxidative stress compared with alcoholic liver cirrhosis group, which suggested that mild alcohol intake may increase the incidence of liver cirrhosis in HBV infected patients and may not increase the incidence of HCC.

Influence of antiviral drugs combined with antioxidant therapy on liver injury and fibrosis process in patients with chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis

Objective:To study the influence of antiviral drugs combined with antioxidant therapy on liver injury and fibrosis process in patients with chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis.Methods: A total of118 patients with chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis who were treated in Dongying Hospital for Infectious Diseases between May 2013 and February 2016 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the control group (n=60) who underwent routine antiviral therapy and the observation group (n=58) who underwent antiviral drugs combined with antioxidant therapy. Serum levels of oxidative stress indexes, liver function indexes and liver fibrosis indexes were compared between two groups of patients before and after treatment.Results:Before treatment, there were no significant differences in serum oxidative stress indexes, liver function indexes and liver fibrosis indexes between two groups of patients. 3 months after treatment, serum oxidative stress index SOD level in observation group was higher than that in control group while AOPPs level was lower than that in control group;serum liver function indexes AST, ALT and TBIL levels in observation group were lower than those in control group while ALB level was higher than that in control group;serum liver fibrosis indexes HA,Ⅳ-C, PCIII and LN levels in observation group were lower than those in control group.Conclusion:Antiviral drugs combined with antioxidant therapy can significantly reduce oxidative stress injury in patients with chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis so as to protect the liver function and inhibit the liver fibrosis process.

Effect of Thymosin Injection combined with entecavir therapy on the viral load, liver fibrosis and immune response of patients with compensated liver cirrhosis

Objective: To study the effect of Thymosin Injection combined with entecavir therapy on the viral load, liver fibrosis and immune response of patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis b complicated by compensated liver cirrhosis in our hospital between March 2015 and January 2017 were selected and randomly divided into two groups, observation group received Thymosin Injection combined with entecavir therapy, and control group received entecavir therapy. The viral load, liver function injury indexes, liver fibrosis indexes, immune cytokines and immune cell apoptosis molecules were measured 24 weeks after treatment. Results: 24 weeks after treatment, HBV-DNA copy number in peripheral blood as well as ALT, AST, TBIL, HA, PC-III, LN, C-IV, IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-17 and IL-22 levels in serum of observation group was significantly lower than those of control group, and peripheral blood FAS, CYCS, CASP8, CASP9 and CASP3 mRNA expression were significantly lower than those of control group. Conclusion:Thymosin Injection combined with entecavir therapy can reduce viral load, improve liver function, inhibit liver fibrosis and regulate immune function in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis.

慢性HBV感染者外周血可诱导共刺激分子在CD8+ T淋巴细胞的表达及其临床意义

目的 探讨慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染者外周血可诱导共刺激分子(ICOS)在CD8+T淋巴细胞的表达特点及临床意义。方法 选取2017年5月—2018年10月就诊的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)100例、HBV-肝硬化(LC)25例和HBV-慢加急(或亚急)性肝衰竭(ACLF)26例分别纳入CHB组、HBV-LC组和HBV-ACLF组,健康对照(NC)组35例来自同期门诊体检健康者。采用流式细胞仪检测各组ICOS在CD8+T淋巴细胞的表达情况;分析CD8+T淋巴细胞ICOS表达水平与慢性HBV感染者疾病严重程度、HBV-ACLF预后及并发症的相关性;动态观察HBV-ACLF患者治疗过程中CD8+T淋巴细胞ICOS表达变化。结果 HBV-ACLF组外周血CD8+T淋巴细胞ICOS表达比率及平均荧光强度(MFI)均高于CHB组、HBV-LC组和NC组(P<0.05)。慢性HBV感染者ICOS的MFI与白蛋白、胆碱酯酶、总胆固醇、血红蛋白呈负相关(r=-0.263、-0.269、-0.273、-0.302,P=0.003、0.003、0.011、0.004);与直接胆红素、天冬氨酸转氨酶、凝血酶原时间、国际标准化比值呈正相关(r=0.248、0.208、0.331、0.315,P=0.005、0.020、0.003、0.009);与HBV-DNA、腹水及感染无明显相关性(P>0.05)。治疗过程中,HBV-ACLF患者ICOS的MFI无明显改变。但生存组ICOS的MFI在治疗第1周时较治疗前上升(P<0.05)。结论 HBV-ACLF患者外周血CD8+T淋巴细胞ICOS的表达水平明显升高,并与肝脏合成功能、炎症程度及预后相关,治疗早期ICOS水平变化有助于预测慢性HBV感染者的预后。

乙肝肝硬化失代偿期并发肝功能衰竭患者血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP与预后的关系研究

目的探讨乙肝肝硬化失代偿期(HBV-DC)并发肝功能衰竭(LF)患者血清自分泌运动因子(Autotaxin)、和肽素(Copeptin)、内毒素结合蛋白(LBP)与预后的关系。方法选取2018年2月至2023年8月我院收治的143例HBV-DC并发LF患者为研究对象,随访90 d,根据预后情况分组为死亡组(55例)与存活组(88例),比较两组血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP水平。收集HBV-DC并发LF患者的临床资料,采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归模型分析HBV-DC并发LF患者预后的影响因素。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP单独或联合预测HBV-DC并发LF患者预后的临床价值。结果143例HBV-DC并发LF患者随访90 d时,有55例死亡,88例存活,死亡率38.46%。与存活组比较,死亡组血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP水平明显增加(P<0.05)。与存活组比较,死亡组住院时间≥14 d比例、并发腹水比例、并发肝性脑病比例、谷丙转氨酶、总胆红素、终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分显著升高(P<0.05),白蛋白显著降低(P<0.05),年龄、性别、合并糖尿病、合并高血压、血肌酐、血小板计数、纤维蛋白原无显著性差异(P>0.05)。总胆红素升高、并发肝性脑病、MELD评分升高以及血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP水平升高均为HBV-DC并发LF患者预后不良的危险因素(P<0.05)。ROC曲线结果显示,血清Autotaxin、LBP、Copeptin标联合检测预测HBV-DC并发LF患者预后不良的曲线下面积(AUC)、灵敏度、特异度分别为0.930、85.45%、88.64%,显著优于单项指标检测预测的效能。结论血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP高表达与HBV-DC并发LF患者短期死亡发生风险有关,且联合检测对HBV-DC并发LF患者短期死亡的发生具有较高的临床预测价值。

De novo combined lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil therapy vs entecavir monotherapy for hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis

AIM:To compare efficacy of combined lamivudine(LAM)and adefovir dipivoxil(ADV)therapy with that of entecavir(ETV)monotherapy for hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related decompensated liver cirrhosis.METHODS:A total of 120 na ve patients with HBVrelated decompensated cirrhosis participated in this study.Sixty patients were treated with combined LAM and ADV therapy(LAM+ADV group),while the other60 were treated with ETV monotherapy(ETV group)for two years.Tests for liver and kidney function,alpha-fetoprotein,HBV serum markers,HBV DNA load,prothrombin time(PT),and ultrasonography or computed tomography scan of the liver were performed every1 to 3 mo.Repeated measure ANOVA and theχ2test were performed to compare the efficacy,side effects,and the cumulative survival rates at 48 and 96 wk.RESULTS:Forty-five patients in each group were observed for 96 wk.No significant differences in HBV DNA negative rates and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)normalization rates at weeks 48(χ2=2.12 and 2.88)and96(χ2=3.21 and 3.24)between the two groups were observed.Hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion rate in the LAM+ADV group at week 96 was significantly higher in the ETV group(43.5%vs 36.4%,χ2=4.09,P<0.05).Viral breakthrough occurred in 2 cases(4.4%)by week 48 and in 3 cases(6.7%)by week 96 in the LAM+ADV group,and no viral mutation was detected.In the ETV group,viral breakthrough occurred in 1 case(2.2%)at the end of week 96.An increase in albumin(F=18.9 and 17.3),decrease in total bilirubin and in ALT(F=16.5,17.1 and 23.7,24.8),reduced PT(F=22.7 and 24.5),and improved Child-Turcotte-Pugh and the model for end-stage liver disease scores(F=18.5,17.8,and 24.2,23.8)were observed in both groups.The cumulative rates of mortality and liver transplantation were 16.7%(10/60)and 18.3%(11/60)in the LAM+ADV and ETV groups,respectively.CONCLUSION:Both LAM+ADV combination therapy and ETV monotherapy can effectively inhibit HBV replication,improve liver function,and decrease mortality.

恩替卡韦联合聚乙二醇干扰素-α2b治疗代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者疗效研究

目的探讨应用恩替卡韦(ETV)联合聚乙二醇干扰素-α2b(Peg-IFN-α2b)治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者的近期疗效。方法2019年3月~2021年3月安徽医科大学附属巢湖医院诊治的代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者78例,被随机分为对照组40例和观察组38例,分别给予ETV或ETV联合Peg-IFN-α2b治疗24 w,然后两组均继续接受ETV治疗,随访至48 w。常规检测肝功能指标、血清肝纤维化指标、血清HBV标志物定量和HBV DNA载量。结果在随访24 w末,观察组血清白蛋白水平为(45.7±3.2)g/L,显著高于对照组【(38.5±4.3)g/L,P<0.05】;观察组血清IV-C、HA、PⅢP和LN水平分别为(154.3±11.7)μg/L、(130.9±17.5)μg/L、(110.6±16.2)μg/L和(152.7±14.3)μg/L,均显著低于对照组【分别为(200.7±12.4)μg/L、(161.8±18.7)μg/L、(157.4±17.3)μg/L和(200.9±16.3)μg/L,P<0.05】;观察组血清HBsAg水平为1363.8(623.1,2767.6)IU/ml,显著低于对照组【2119.6(1144.9,5094.3)IU/ml,P<0.05】,而血清HBsAg阴转率为15.8%,显著高于对照组的0.0%(P<0.05)。结论联合应用ETV和Peg-IFN-α2b治疗代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者可改善血清肝纤维化指标,提高血清HBsAg阴转率,可能有助于病情恢复。

Differential hepatic features presenting in Wilson disease-associated cirrhosis and hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis

BACKGROUND Cirrhosis is a chronic late stage liver disease associated with hepatitis viruses,alcoholism, and metabolic disorders, such as Wilson disease(WD). There are no clear markers or clinical features that define cirrhosis originating from these disparate origins. We hypothesized that cirrhosis is not one disease and cirrhosis of different etiology may have differential clinical hepatic features.AIM To delineate the liver features between WD-associated cirrhosis and hepatitis Bassociated cirrhosis in the Chinese population.METHODS In this observational study, we reviewed the medical data of consecutive inpatients who had WD-associated cirrhosis or hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis from January 2010 to August 2018, and excluded patients who had carcinoma,severe heart or pulmonary diseases, or other liver diseases. According to the etiology of cirrhosis, patients were divided into two groups: WD-associated cirrhosis group(60 patients) and hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis group(56 patients). The liver fibrosis degree, liver function indices, and portal hypertension features of these patients were compared between the two groups.RESULTS No inter-group differences were observed in the diagnostic liver fibrosis markers,however, clinical features clearly defined the origin of cirrhosis. WD-associated cirrhosis patients(16-29 years) had lower levels of alanine transaminase,aspartate transaminase, and bilirubin, lower prothrombin time, lower incidence of hepatic encephalopathy, and lower portal vein diameter(P < 0.05), compared to cirrhosis resulting from hepatitis B in older patients(45-62 years). Importantly,they had decreased risks of progression from Child-Pugh grade A to B(odds ratio = 0.046, 95% confidence interval: 0.006-0.387, P = 0.005) and of ascites(odds ratio = 0.08, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.48, P = 0.005). Conversely, WDassociated cirrhosis patients had a higher risk of splenomegaly(odds ratio = 4.15,95% confidence interval: 1.38-12.45, P = 0.011).CONCLUSION WD-associated cirrhosis presents a higher risk of splenomegaly associated with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, although revealing milder liver dysfunction and portal hypertension symptoms, which recommends WD patients to be monitored for associated complications.