Beh et's disease complicated by multiple aseptic abscesses of the liver and spleen

Aseptic abscesses are an emergent entity and have been described in inflammatory bowel disease,especially in Crohn's disease,and in other diseases.However,aseptic abscesses associated with Beh et's disease are extremely rare.We report a Japanese male diagnosed with an incomplete type of Beh et's disease who developed multiple aseptic abscesses of the spleen and liver.In 2002,the spleen abscesses were accompanied by paroxysmal oral aphthous ulcers and erythema nodosum.As the patient's response to antibiotic treatment was inadequate,a splenectomy was performed.Severe inflammatory cell infiltration,largely of polymorphonuclear neutrophils,was observed without evidence of bacterial or fungal growth.Although the patient had no history of ocular symptoms or genital ulcers,a diagnosis of incomplete Beh et's disease was made according to the Japanese diagnostic criteria because of the presence of paroxysmal arthritis and epididymitis since 2002.In 2005,multiple liver abscesses developed with right hypochondrial pain and seemed to be attributed to Beh et's disease because the abscesses yielded negative results during a microbiologic investigation and failed to go into remission under antibiotic therapy.Oral prednisone(15 mg/d) was started in May 2006,and the abscesses dramatically disappeared 4 wk after treatment.Although the patient had a relapse of the liver abscesses in association with the tapering of prednisone,the augmentation of prednisone dosage yielded a response.The abscesses of the liver and spleen were strongly suggested to be attributed to Beh et's disease.Clinician should be aware of the existence of aseptic abscesses as uncommon manifestations of Beh et's disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, spleen and psoriasis:New aspects of low-grade chronic inflammation

AIM: To investigate spleen status in psoriasis and itsrelationship with hepatic steatosis, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and insulin resistance.METHODS: Seventy-nine psoriatic patients who were not suffering from any chronic inflammatory disease were retrospectively selected for inclusion in this study,and their complete medical records were accessed.An age- and sex-matched group of 80 non-psoriatic,obese patients was included as a control. The following relevant data were collected: age, sex, weight, height,body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure,insulin resistance status, age at psoriasis onset, and severity of psoriasis. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to determine spleen longitudinal diameter(SLD), and hepatic steatosis grade.RESULTS: The SLD of control obese patients was greater than that of psoriatic subjects(P = 0.013),but body mass index predicted the size of the spleen in psoriatic patients(P < 0.001). The SLD of psoriatic patients with normal weight was significantly reduced with respect to the overweight/obese psoriatic patients(P = 0.002). A multiple regression analysis revealed that body mass index was a unique predictor of the spleen size(P < 0.001). Finally, the disease duration predicted the spleen size in psoriatic subjects(P =0.038).CONCLUSION: This study shows a correlation between the SLD and the duration of psoriasis.

Spleen stiffness mirrors changes in portal hypertension after successful interferon-free therapy in chronic-hepatitis C virus patients

AIM To investigate changes in spleen stiffness measurements(SSMs) and other non-invasive tests(NITs) after treatment with direct-acting antivirals(DAAs) and identify predictors of SSM change after sustainedvirological response(SVR). METHODS We retrospectively analysed 146 advanced-chronic liver disease(ACLD) patients treated with DAA with available paired SSM at baseline and SVR24. Liver stiffness(LSM), spleen diameter(SD), platelet count(PLT) and liver stiffness-spleen diameter to platelet ratio score(LSPS) were also investigated. LSM ≥ 21 k Pa was used as a cut-off to rule-in clinically significant portal hypertension(CSPH). SSM reduction > 20% from baseline was defined as significant.RESULTS SSM significantly decreased at SVR24, in both patients with and without CSPH; in 44.8% of cases, SSM reduction was > 20%. LSPS significantly improved in the entire cohort at SVR24; SD and PLT changed significantly only in patients without CSPH. LSM significantly decreased in 65.7% of patients and also in 2/3 patients in whom SSM did not decrease. The independent predictor of decreased SSM was median relative change of LSM. CSPH persisted in 54.4% patients after SVR. Delta LSM and baseline SSM were independent factors associated with CSPH persistence.CONCLUSION SSM and other NITs significantly decrease after SVR, although differently according to the patient's clinical condition. SSM faithfully reflects changes in portal hypertension and could represent a useful NIT for the follow-up of these patients.

Role of spleen tyrosine kinase in liver diseases

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK),a non-receptor tyrosine kinase,is expressed in most hematopoietic cells and non-hematopoietic cells and play a crucial role in both immune and non-immune biological responses.SYK mediate diverse cellular responses via an immune-receptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs)-dependent signalling pathways,ITAMs-independent and ITAMs-semidependent signalling pathways.In liver,SYK expression has been observed in parenchymal (hepatocytes) and non-parenchymal cells (hepatic stellate cells and Kupffer cells) and found to be positively correlated with the disease severity.The implication of SYK pathway has been reported in different liver diseases including liver fibrosis,viral hepatitis,alcoholic liver disease,non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Antagonism of SYK pathway using kinase inhibitors have shown to attenuate the progression of liver diseases thereby suggesting SYK as a highly promising therapeutic target.This review summarizes the current understanding of SYK and its therapeutic implication in liver diseases.

Elastography-based screening for esophageal varices in patients with advanced chronic liver disease

Elastography-based liver stiffness measurement(LSM) is a non-invasive tool for estimating liver fibrosis but also provides an estimate for the severity of portal hypertension in patients with advanced chronic liver disease(ACLD). The presence of varices and especially of varices needing treatment(VNT) indicates distinct prognostic stages in patients with compensated ACLD(cACLD). The Baveno VI guidelines suggested a simple algorithm based on LSM < 20 kPa(by transient elastography, TE) and platelet count > 150 G/L for ruling-out VNT in patients with cACLD. These(and other) TE-based LSM cut-offs have been evaluated for VNT screening in different liver disease etiologies. Novel point shear-wave elastography(pSWE) and two-dimensional shear wave elastography(2D-SWE) methodologies for LSM have also been evaluated for their ability to screen for "any" varices and for VNT. Finally, the measurement of spleen stiffness(SSM) by elastography(mainly by pSWE and 2D-SWE) may represent another valuable screening tool for varices. Here, we summarize the current literature on elastography-based prediction of "any" varices and VNT. Finally,we have summarized the published LSM and SSM cut-offs in clinically useful scale cards.

Liver-spleen axis: Intersection between immunity, infections and metabolism

Spleen has been considered a neglected organ so far, even though is strictly linked to liver. The spleen plays an important role in the modulation of the immune system and in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance via the clearance of circulating apoptotic cells, the differentiation and activation of T and B cells and production of antibodies in the white pulp. Moreover, splenic macrophages are able to remove bacteria from the blood and protect from sepsis during systemic infections. We review the spleen function and its assessment in humans starting from the description of spleen diseases, ranging from the congenital asplenia to secondary hyposplenism. From the literature data it is clear that obesity in humans affects different compartments of immune system, even thought there are still few data available on the implicated mechamisms. The intent is to enable clinicians to evaluate the newly recognized role of metabolic and endocrine functions of the spleen with special emphasis to obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the context of the available literature.Moreover, understanding the spleen function could be important to develop appropriate prevention strategies in order to counteract the pandemia of obesity. In this direction, we suggest spleen longitudinal diameter at ultrasonography, as simple, cheap and largely available tool, be used as new marker for assessing splenic function, in the context of the so-called liver-spleen axis.

Ultrasound imaging of abdominal sarcoidosis: State of the art

Since it has been recognized that sarcoidosis(SA) is not an exclusive disorder of the lungs but can also affect other organs such as the liver and spleen, efforts have been made to define specific imaging criteria for the diagnosis of the single organ involvement, and the concept has been reinforced that the exclusion of alternative causes is important to achieve the correct diagnosis. Ultrasound(US)is a useful tool to evaluate patients with suspected abdominal SA, such as of the liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas and other organs, showing findings such as organomegaly, focal lesions and lymphadenopathy. While the diagnosis of abdominal SA is more predictable in the case of involvement of other organs(e.g.,lungs), the problem is more complex in the case of isolated abdominal SA. The recent use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound elastography has provided additional information about the enhancement patterns and tissue rigidity in abdominal SA. Here we critically review the role of US in abdominal SA, reporting typical findings and limitations of current evidence and by discussing future perspectives of study.

基于“肝脾同调”阐析慢性肝病的中医治疗

慢性肝病是临床常见疾病,“郁、虚、湿、毒、瘀”是其核心病机,在疾病的不同阶段各有侧重,其中,以“郁、虚”为核心的肝脾失调是慢性肝病发生发展的关键。“肝脾同调”是治疗慢性肝病的基本治法,在慢性肝病不同阶段,其“肝脾同调”内涵同中有异。根据肝、脾生理病理特性,治脾明辨虚实,厘清轻重,活用运脾、健脾、温脾、醒脾、补脾等法;调肝体用并重,精准辨证,活用疏肝、缓肝、散肝、柔肝等法。临床上,治脾与调肝相辅相成,治调并举,常获良效。

基于“脾气散精”理论探讨慢性肝病的中医治疗

慢性肝病的发病与脾密切相关,“脾气散精”是《黄帝内经》对脾功能的高度概括,脾气散精功能障碍贯穿慢性肝病始终,脾失运化,生湿生痰,瘀血阻络为慢性肝病进展的关键因素。治疗时应将健脾作为慢性肝病的基本治法之一,并根据脾运的不同状态,配合运脾、醒脾、温脾等不同治法,以复脾气散精之能,病程中尤应抓住瘀血络阻这一关键病机,活血化瘀通络,防止慢性肝病进一步向肝积、鼓胀发展,使脾运得复,瘀阻得除,标本兼治。

基于“肝为罢极之本”诊治心脾疾病验案四则

“肝为罢极之本”是指通过肝脏的调节,人体各脏腑组织及精气血津液运行皆弛张有度,无太过或不及,以维持中和的状态。若肝脏功能失调,影响全身气机枢转,可导致病理表现截然相反的五脏病变。如肝气疏泄不及,气滞肠腑,或肝血不足,阴津匮乏,会导致大便干结、秘而不通;肝气疏泄太过,横乘脾土,又可导致腹痛泄泻、大便稀溏。肝郁乘脾,脾虚生痰,会出现乏力懒言、多寐等症状;肝火亢盛,影响心神,可导致少寐、不寐。文章列举分析基于“肝为罢极之本”诊治的脾胃病泄泻案、便秘案和心系疾病不寐案、多寐案,旨在说明临床治疗心脾疾病时可以调肝为主,调整阴阳,补虚泻实,双向调节,使肝气无太过亦无不及,全身气血不急不怠,脏腑经络等恢复和合状态。

内服中药复方治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病的临床研究进展

近年来,非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)的发生率逐年上升,是临床常见的慢性肝病之一,由于其发病机制复杂,现代医学的治疗不仅限于肝脏本身病变,还要控制代谢紊乱。非酒精性脂肪性肝病属于“肝癖”“积聚”“胁痛”等范畴,病位在肝、脾、肾,病理产物有痰、湿、瘀、热等,为虚实夹杂之病。中医药有着多靶点、多途径、整体调节的优势,现就内服中药复方治疗NAFLD的临床研究进行归纳,发现苓桂术甘汤、五苓散、苦黄颗粒、益肾化痰方、桂附理中汤、养肝消脂茶、大黄利胆胶囊、柴胡疏肝散、柴胡化浊饮等中药复方在改善非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者临床症状、肝功能、脂代谢、肝脏影像学指标、胰岛素抵抗、肠道功能、抗炎、血管性疾病危险因素等方面作用显著。

基于既病防变思想的健脾行气解毒法治疗中晚期原发性肝癌患者的效果

目的研究基于既病防变思想的健脾行气解毒法对中晚期原发性肝癌患者的作用效果。方法选取安阳市中医院2019年4月至2023年4月收治的80例中晚期原发性肝癌患者,随机分为对照组和观察组,对照组(40例)接受索拉非尼联合放疗,观察组(40例)联合基于既病防变思想的健脾行气解毒法治疗,对比两组中医证候积分、肝功能、肿瘤标志物水平、复发转移情况和不良反应发生率。结果治疗后,观察组谷草转氨酶(GOT)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、总胆红素(TBil)、细胞角蛋白19片段抗原21-1(CYFRA21-1)、甲胎蛋白(AFP)、糖类抗原199(CA199)水平均低于对照组(P<0.05),肿瘤复发转移率及中医证候积分低于对照组(P<0.05);两组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论基于既病防变思想的健脾行气解毒法治疗中晚期原发性肝癌患者的效果确切,能够降低中医证候积分,改善肝功能,降低肿瘤标志物水平和肿瘤复发转移率,安全性高,具有临床推广价值。

升阳泻湿法治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病初探

非酒精性脂肪性肝病是目前的多发病,为多因素所致,严重影响公共健康,目前对于该病的证治报道较多。该病的临床表现多数不典型,病机证候复杂,笔者汲取李东垣理论思想中升发脾之清气,以及黄元御理论思想中泻湿疏木的治法,把二者进行优化组合,拟定了升阳化湿,培土疏木为治疗大法运用于临床,立足于“湿”,分为“湿浊内蕴”和“脾虚湿困”2个证型,驭繁就简,取得了理想的临床疗效。

基于肠道菌群探讨从“肝脾同调”论治冠心病科学内涵

冠心病患病率和病死率逐年增加,严重影响人们生活质量,然其具体的发病原因仍未探明。中医学者认为痰浊、气滞是其重要标实因素,应以疏肝理气、健脾祛痰为主要治法。现代研究发现肠道菌群及其维持的微环境能够通过调节炎症与脂质代谢等影响冠心病及其诱发因素的发生发展,与冠心病息息相关。脾为后天之本,气血生化之源,肠道微环境作为脾脏生理功能的重要体现,与肝脏生理相关,病理相联。该文基于肝脾同调理论,探讨通过中医药调节肠道微生物菌群,改善肠道微环境,进而影响气血运行和调控脂质代谢,达到改善冠心病的目的。

陈永灿从肝脾论治肛肠病术后并发症临证经验

[目的]总结陈永灿主任从肝脾论治肛肠病术后并发症的临证经验。[方法]通过随诊抄方,收集临床医案,查阅中医典籍和现代肛肠病术后并发症相关的研究文献,分析肝脾与肛肠的关系,提出本病的关键病机和主要治法,阐述陈主任从肝脾论治肛肠病术后并发症的临床经验,并附医案三则以供佐证。[结果]陈主任认为,肛肠病术后并发症与肝脾失调密切相关,病位在肛肠,而责于肝脾。肛肠与肝脾的关系体现于生理相通、功能相系、五行相关三个方面,肛肠病的关键病机为肝脾不和、气机失调,治疗主张从肝脾入手,以升、清、养三法调和肝脾、燮理气机,促进术后肛肠功能恢复。所举医案为升脾疏肝治混合痔术后便秘、清肝运脾治肛瘘术后腹胀和滋脾柔肝治直肠癌术后泄泻,均获较好疗效。[结论]陈主任从肝脾论治肛肠病术后并发症,经验丰富,切合实用,值得推广。

柴郁清肝汤治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病肝郁脾虚证患者的疗效观察及对Th17/Treg和相关炎症因子的影响

目的:观察柴郁清肝汤治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)肝郁脾虚证患者的临床疗效及对外周血Th17/Treg和相关炎症因子的影响。方法:将60例NAFLD患者随机分为观察组(30例)和对照组(30例),其中观察组给予柴郁清肝汤治疗,对照组给予维生素E软胶囊治疗,治疗8周评价疗效;分别观察2组患者治疗前后肝功、血脂、外周血T淋巴细胞Th17、Treg的百分比及其相关炎症因子(IL-17、IL-22、IL-10)的变化。结果:治疗8周,观察组显效16例,有效12例,对照组显效8例,有效13例,2组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与治疗前比较,2组患者ALT、AST、GGT、ALP、TC、TG、LDL-C、Th17、IL-17和IL-22明显降低,Treg明显升高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),2组间比较观察组均明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:柴郁清肝汤能够有效治疗NAFLD患者,改善肝功能和血脂,调节Th17/Treg平衡及其相关炎性因子分泌是其作用机制之一。

基于网络药理学和分子对接探讨健脾疏肝方治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病的作用机制

目的:运用网络药理学和分子对接的方法,探索健脾疏肝方治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病(non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD)的潜在机制。方法:利用中药系统药理学数据库与分析平台(traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology,TCMSP)和已发表的文献筛选健脾疏肝方的活性化合物和潜在作用靶点,利用人类基因数据库(GeneCards)、在线人类孟德尔遗传数据库(online mendelian inheritance in man,OMIM)和药物靶标数据库(therapeutic target database,TTD)筛选NAFLD的相关靶点,预测健脾疏肝方治疗NAFLD的潜在靶点。利用STRING数据库和Cytoscape软件构建共同靶标的PPI网络。利用DAVID数据库及微生信云平台进行基因本体(gene ontology,GO)和京都基因与基因组百科全书(kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes,KEGG)通路富集分析。最后利用AutoDock Vina和Pymol软件对核心靶点和主要活性化合物进行分子对接。结果:共筛选出117个活性化合物和279个潜在靶标,其中槲皮素(Quercetin)、木犀草素(luteolin)、豆甾醇(Stigmasterol)、山柰酚(kaempferol)为健脾疏肝方主要活性化合物。PPI网络显示白细胞介素6(interleukin-6,IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor,TNF)、信号转换器和转录激活因子3(signal transducer and activator of transcription 3,STAT3)、前列腺素内过氧化物合酶2(prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2,PTGS2)和血管内皮生长因子A(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGFA)是关键靶蛋白。KEGG通路富集分析结果显示,癌症、TNF、乙型病毒性肝炎、MAPK、PI3K-Akt及NAFLD信号通路可能是健脾疏肝方干预NAFLD的潜在机制。分子对接结果表明,健脾疏肝方主要活性化合物与核心靶标具有良好的结合能力。结论:健脾疏肝方可以通过多组分、多靶点及多通路起到干预NAFLD的作用。

吕文良从“肝脾一体”论治非酒精性脂肪性肝病经验

非酒精性脂肪性肝病随着病情发展可进展为肝硬化、肝癌。吕文良教授基于多年临床经验,认为本病病因与饮食、情志、劳逸相关,基本病机为肝脾不调,气血失和,痰、湿、浊、瘀为本病的主要病理产物。并从“肝脾一体”角度提出三条治则:疏肝理脾,首重益气;祛湿化浊,调气和血;灵活取舍,病证结合。注重个体化综合诊疗,重视患者自身生活方式对本病的影响,治疗效果较好。

基于仲景“肝病实脾”理论探析现代临床肝病治法

肝硬化、脂肪肝、肝癌、慢性乙型病毒性肝炎等是全球常见肝病,随着患病率逐渐上升,中西医治疗肝病的研究成为热点。从中医学理论出发,以“肝脾相关”为切入点,探讨肝脾之间阴阳五行亢盛、经络交汇、气机运行、消化吸收等交互作用,探讨“肝脾相关”理论的科学内涵,为治疗现代肝病提供助力。通过对肝病专家治疗肝硬化、脂肪肝、慢乙肝,肝硬化腹水、肝癌等的临床用药进行分析,探索现代临床肝病证治规律,发掘“肝病实脾”的临床意义,为今后中医药在肝脏疾病治疗领域的应用提供有益参考。

基于肠道菌群及“脏腑别通理论”探讨肝脾同调治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病的理论内涵

非酒精性脂肪性肝病的发生发展受肠道菌群的影响。肝脾同调治法可通过调节气机升降、水谷运化、血液运行以改善非酒精性脂肪性肝病,中医脏腑别通理论认为“肝与大肠相通”“脾与小肠相通”。通过论述肝脾二脏与肠道菌群、非酒精性脂肪肝之间的相关性,丰富肝脾同调治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病的理论内涵,确立疏肝健脾、运脾清肝两大治疗原则,为中医诊治非酒精性脂肪肝提供新思路。