Theoretical Discussion on Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Based on Theory of Liver,Spleen and Kidney

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a disease in which ulnar nerve is compressed by its surrounding tissues,and its main clinical manifestations are pain,sensory disturbance and dyskinesia.Its incidence rate is the second highest among peripheral nerve entrapment diseases,and it is one of the common clinical diseases.The theory of liver,spleen and kidney can guide the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.By discussing the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pathogenesis and treatment principles of cubital tunnel syndrome,it provides modern medical theoretical support for TCM treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Nomogram based on liver stiffness and spleen area with ultrasound for posthepatectomy liver failure:A multicenter study

BACKGROUND Liver stiffness(LS)measurement with two-dimensional shear wave elastography(2D-SWE)correlates with the degree of liver fibrosis and thus indirectly reflects liver function reserve.The size of the spleen increases due to tissue proliferation,fibrosis,and portal vein congestion,which can indirectly reflect the situation of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis.It was reported that the size of the spleen was related to posthepatectomy liver failure(PHLF).So far,there has been no study combining 2D-SWE measurements of LS with spleen size to predict PHLF.This prospective study aimed to investigate the utility of 2D-SWE assessing LS and spleen area(SPA)for the prediction of PHLF in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients and to develop a risk prediction model.AIM To investigate the utility of 2D-SWE assessing LS and SPA for the prediction of PHLF in HCC patients and to develop a risk prediction model.METHODS This was a multicenter observational study prospectively analyzing patients who underwent hepatectomy from October 2020 to March 2022.Within 1 wk before partial hepatectomy,ultrasound examination was performed to measure LS and SPA,and blood was drawn to evaluate the patient’s liver function and other conditions.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify independent predictors of PHLF and develop a nomogram.Nomogram performance was validated further.The diagnostic performance of the nomogram was evaluated with receiver operating charac-teristic curve compared with the conventional models,including the model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)score and the albumin-bilirubin(ALBI)score.RESULTS A total of 562 HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy(500 in the training cohort and 62 in the validation cohort)were enrolled in this study.The independent predictors of PHLF were LS,SPA,range of resection,blood loss,international normalized ratio,and total bilirubin.Better diagnostic performance of the nomogram was obtained in the training[area under receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC):0.833;95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.792-0.873;sensitivity:83.1%;specificity:73.5%]and validation(AUC:0.802;95%CI:0.684-0.920;sensitivity:95.5%;specificity:52.5%)cohorts compared with the MELD score and the ALBI score.CONCLUSION This PHLF nomogram,mainly based on LS by 2D-SWE and SPA,was useful in predicting PHLF in HCC patients and presented better than MELD score and ALBI score.

Current strategies for predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure and a new ultrasound-based nomogram

Liver cancer is associated with a few factors,such as viruses and alcohol con-sumption,and hepatectomy is an important treatment for patients with liver cancer.However,post-hepatectomy liver failure(PHLF)is the most serious complication and has a high mortality rate.Effective prediction of PHLF allows for the adjustment of clinical treatment strategies and is critical to the long-term prognosis of patients.Many factors have been associated with the development of PHLF,so there is an increasing interest in the development of predictive models for PHLF,such as nomograms that integrate intra-operative factors,imaging and biochemical characteristics of the patient.Ultrasound,as a simple and important examination method,plays an important role in predicting PHLF,especially the Nomogram established based on ultrasound measurements of liver stiffness and spleen area provides a more convenient way to predict the occurrence of PHLF.

Liver and spleen volume variations in patients with hepatic fibrosis

AIM： To study the liver and spleen volume variations in hepatic fibrosis patients at different histopathological stages. METHODS： Multidetector computed tomography （MDCT） scan was performed in 85 hepatic fibrosis patients. Liver volume （LV） and spleen volume （SV） were measured. Fifteen healthy individuals served as a control group （SO）. The patients were divided into stage 1 （S1） group （n = 34）, stage 2 （S2） group （n = 25）, stage 3 （S3） group （n = 16）, and stage 4 （S4） group （n = 10） according to their histopathological stage of liver fibrosis. RESULTS： The LV and standard LV （SLV） had a tendency to increase with the severity of fibrosis, but no statistical difference was observed in the 5 groups （LV： F = 0.245, P = 0.912; SLV： F = 1.902, P = 0.116）. The SV was gradually increased with the severity of fibrosis, and a statistically significant difference in SV was observed among the 5 groups （P 〈 0.01）. The LV/SV ratio and SLV/SV ratio were gradually decreased with the aggravation of hepatic fibrosis, and statistically significant differences in both LV/SV and SLV/SV were found among the 5 groups （P 〈 0.01）.CONCLUSION： The absence of obvious LV reduction in patients with chronic liver disease may be a morphological index of patients without liver cirrhosis. The SV is related to the severity of fibrosis, and the spleen of patients with advanced fibrosis is enlarged evidently. The LV/SV ratio and SLV/SV ratio are of a significant clinical value in the diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis.

Non-invasive model for predicting high-risk esophageal varices based on liver and spleen stiffness

BACKGROUND Acute bleeding due to esophageal varices(EVs)is a life-threatening complication in patients with cirrhosis.The diagnosis of EVs is mainly through upper gastrointestinal endoscopy,but the discomfort,contraindications and complications of gastrointestinal endoscopic screening reduce patient compliance.According to the bleeding risk of EVs,the Baveno VI consensus divides varices into high bleeding risk EVs(HEVs)and low bleeding risk EVs(LEVs).We sought to identify a non-invasive prediction model based on spleen stiffness measurement(SSM)and liver stiffness measurement(LSM)as an alternative to EVs screening.AIM To develop a safe,simple and non-invasive model to predict HEVs in patients with viral cirrhosis and identify patients who can be exempted from upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.METHODS Data from 200 patients with viral cirrhosis were included in this study,with 140 patients as the modelling group and 60 patients as the external validation group,and the EVs types of patients were determined by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the Baveno Ⅵ consensus.Those patients were divided into the HEVs group(66 patients)and the LEVs group(74 patients).The effect of each parameter on HEVs was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses,and a noninvasive prediction model was established.Finally,the discrimination ability,calibration ability and clinical efficacy of the new model were verified in the modelling group and the external validation group.RESULTS Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that SSM and LSM were associated with the occurrence of HEVs in patients with viral cirrhosis.On this basis,logistic regression analysis was used to construct a prediction model:Ln[P/(1-P)]=-8.184-0.228×SSM+0.642×LSM.The area under the curve of the new model was 0.965.When the cut-off value was 0.27,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the model for predicting HEVs were 100.00%,82.43%,83.52%,and 100%,respectively.Compared with the four prediction models of liver stiffness-spleen diameter to platelet ratio score,variceal risk index,aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio,and Baveno VI,the established model can better predict HEVs in patients with viral cirrhosis.CONCLUSION Based on the SSM and LSM measured by transient elastography,we established a non-invasive prediction model for HEVs.The new model is reliable in predicting HEVs and can be used as an alternative to routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy screening,which is helpful for clinical decision making.

Impact of bariatric surgery on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver and kidney function in food-induced obese diabetic rats

BACKGROUND Obesity usually causes diabetes mellitus(DM)and is a serious danger to human health.Type 2 DM(T2DM)mostly occurs along with obesity.Foodborne obesityinduced DM is caused by an excessive long-term diet and surplus energy.Bariatric surgery can improve the symptoms of T2DM in some obese patients.But different types of bariatric surgery may have different effects.AIM To investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver and kidney function in rats.METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6-8 wk underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery(RYGB),sleeve gastrectomy(SG),or gastric banding(GB).Glucose and insulin tolerance tests,analyses of biochemical parameters,histological examination,western blot,and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were conducted.RESULTS In comparison to the sham operation group,the RYGB,SG,and GB groups had decreased body weight and food intake,reduced glucose intolerance and insulin insensitivity,downregulated biochemical parameters,alleviated morphological changes in the liver and kidneys,and decreased levels of protein kinase Cβ/P66shc.The effect in the RYGB group was better than that in the SG and GB groups.CONCLUSION These results suggest that RYGB,SG and GB may be helpful for the treatment of foodborne obesity-induced DM.

Liver or kidney:Who has the oar in the gluconeogenesis boat and when?

Gluconeogenesis is an endogenous process of glucose production from noncarbohydrate carbon substrates.Both the liver and kidneys express the key enzymes necessary for endogenous glucose production and its export into circulation.We would be remiss to add that more recently gluconeogenesis has been described in the small intestine,especially under high-protein,lowcarbohydrate diets.The contribution of the liver glucose release,the net glucose flux,towards systemic glucose is already well known.The liver is,in most instances,the primary bulk contributor due to the sheer size of the organ(on average,over 1 kg).The contribution of the kidney(at just over 100 g each)to endogenous glucose production is often under-appreciated,especially on a weight basis.Glucose is released from the liver through the process of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.Renal glucose release is almost exclusively due to gluconeogenesis,which occurs in only a fraction of the cells in that organ(proximal tubule cells).Thus,the efficiency of glucose production from other carbon sources may be superior in the kidney relative to the liver or at least on the level.In both these tissues,gluconeogenesis regulation is under tight hormonal control and depends on the availability of substrates.Liver and renal gluconeogenesis are differentially regulated under various pathological conditions.The impact of one source vs the other changes,based on post-prandial state,acid-base balance,hormonal status,and other less understood factors.Which organ has the oar(is more influential)in driving systemic glucose homeostasis is still inconclusive and likely changes with the daily rhythms of life.We reviewed the literature on the differences in gluconeogenesis regulation between the kidneys and the liver to gain an insight into who drives the systemic glucose levels under various physiological and pathological conditions.

Letter to editor‘Non-invasive model for predicting high-risk esophageal varices based on liver and spleen stiffness’

predicting high-risk esophageal varices based on liver and spleen stiffness".Acute bleeding caused by esophageal varices is a life-threatening complication in patients with liver cirrhosis.Due to the discomfort,contraindications,and associated complications of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy screening,it is crucial to identify an imaging-based non-invasive model for predicting high-risk esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis.

Clinical Observation on Modified Huan'gan Lipi Decoction Combined with Acupuncture in Treating Spleen Deficiency and Liver Hyperactivity Type Tic Disorders

[Objectives]To observe the clinical efficacy of Modified Huan'gan Lipi Decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of spleen deficiency and liver hyperactivity type tic disorders(TD).[Methods]Sixty patients with spleen deficiency and liver hyperactivity type TD were randomly divided into a treatment group of 40 cases and a control group of 20 cases.The treatment group received Modified Huan'gan Lipi Decoction combined with acupuncture,and the control group received Haloperidol Tablets.After 4 weeks of treatment,the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale(YGTSS)score,the total score of TCM syndrome and the clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.[Results]After treatment,the total effective rate of 87.5%in the treatment group was higher than 80.0%in the control group(P>0.05);the total score of YGTSS and the total score of TCM syndromes in the two groups were compared within groups,P﹤0.01;between groups,P﹤0.01.The recurrence rates of the treatment group and the control group were 11.1%and 71.4%,respectively.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P﹤0.01).[Conclusions]Modified Huan'gan Lipi Decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of spleen deficiency and liver hyperactivity type TD can significantly improve the patient's tic symptoms,and its long-term efficacy is stable.

Synergistic Mixture of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera Aqueous Extract: Its Liver and Kidney Benefits in Male Albino Rat Model

Background: The synergistic mixture of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera (STCD) aqueous extract is a common drink in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It is assumed to have various health benefits. However, the synergistic mixture of the content has not been studied scientifically, hence the need to evaluate its effect on the liver and kidney being part of the body’s metabolic organs. Aim: This study evaluated the synergistic mixture of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera (STCD) aqueous extract in male albino rats. Methods: Acute toxicity LD50 of STCD was carried out, afterwards, fifteen male albino rats were grouped into three groups with 5 rats in each group;Control, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg STCD. The rats were administered STCD orally 24 hourly, for 21 days, with feed and water ad libitum. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of the liver and kidney biomarkers, while the liver and kidney tissues were harvested for histopathological examination using standard laboratory methods. Descriptive statistics were computed and expressed as Mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA and Turkeys test was performed. P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Acute toxicity LD50 of STCD was observed to be ≥2404.2 mg/kg body weight. An increase in the percentage body weight difference of 8.39% and 2.86% was observed for 200 and 400 mg/kg STCD groups. Also, the liver weight was observed to increase in 400 mg/kg (3.92 ± 1.42) in comparison to the control group (3.48 ± 1.61), a decrease in the kidney weight was observed in all groups administered STCD in comparison to the control group. Administration of STCD at both 200 and 400 mg/kg revealed a decrease in the concentration of the hepatic biomarkers AST, ALT, ALP, TP, Albumin, Total and conjugated bilirubin. The kidney biomarker Urea was observed to decrease in concentration for 200 mg/kg STCD (4.60 ± 1.83) and 400 mg/kg STCD (4.76 ± 0.74) when compared to the control group (6.32 ± 2.74). A decrease in Creatinine was observed in 200 mg/kg (91.80 ± 34.69) and 400 mg/kg (98.60 ± 15.53) in comparison to the control group (117.60 ± 42.88). The histological examination of the liver of rats administered STCD revealed structural normal central vein, hepatocytes and portal tract. The kidney examination revealed normal glomeruli and normal tubule. Conclusion: The findings of this study opine that STCD improved the health of both the liver and kidney as evidenced via the biomarkers and histological examinations of the liver and kidney. This study therefore recommends the intake of STCD at moderate doses for improved liver and kidney function due to its bioactive compounds and nutritional content.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Related Infertility Based on the Theory of“Liver and Kidney Homology”

Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)is an endocrine disorder caused by hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian(HPO)axis dysfunction.In the field of gynecology and reproduction,PCOS has emerged as both a research hot spot and a challenging area of study.According to Chinese medicine,this disease is related to kidney deficiency,phlegm and dampness obstruction,blood stasis and interconnection,Chong pulse impassability,the lack of Ren pulse,and the loss of uterine nourishment,all of which affect the normal development and maturation of eggs as well as the duration at which menstrual blood stores.In this paper,based on the theoretical basis of“liver collects blood,regulates the flow of qi,and is the master of drainage,”we explore the rationality of the treatment of this disease from the perspective of“liver and kidney have the same origin”and the development of PCOS-related infertility in relation to dysfunctional internal organs.We also explore the feasibility of treatment from the perspective of“liver and kidney homology,”expand the ideas for treatment,as well as develop and innovate the application of organ identification in PCOS in relation to infertility.

Clinical trial with traditional Chinese medicine intervention ''tonifying the kidney to promote liver regeneration and repair by affecting stem cells and their microenvironment'' for chronic hepatitis B-associated liver failure

AIM:To study the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)intervention"tonifying the kidney to promote liver regeneration and repair by affecting stem cells and their microenvironment"("TTK")for treating liver failure due to chronic hepatitis B.METHODS:We designed the study as a randomized controlled clinical trial.Registration number of Chinese Clinical Trial Registry is Chi CTR-TRC-12002961.A total of 144 patients with liver failure due to infection with chronic hepatitis B virus were enrolled in this randomized controlled clinical study.Participants were randomly assigned to the following three groups:(1)a modern medicine control group(MMC group,36patients);(2)a"tonifying qi and detoxification"("TQD")group(72 patients);and(3)a"tonifying the kidney to promote liver regeneration and repair by affecting stem cells and their microenvironment"("TTK")group(36patients).Patients in the MMC group received general internal medicine treatment;patients in the"TQD"group were given a TCM formula"tonifying qi and detoxification"and general internal medicine treatment;patients in the"TTK"group were given a TCM formula of"TTK"and general internal medicine treatment.All participants were treated for 8 wk and then followed at 48 wk following their final treatment.The primaryefficacy end point was the patient fatality rate in each group.Measurements of various virological and biochemical indicators served as secondary endpoints.The one-way analysis of variance and the t-test were used to compare patient outcomes in the different treatment groups.RESULTS:At the 48-wk post-treatment time point,the patient fatality rates in the MMC,"TQD",and"TTK"groups were 51.61%,35.38%,and 16.67%,respectively,and the differences between groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences in the levels of hepatitis B virus DNA or prothrombin activity among the three groups(P>0.05).Patients in the"TTK"group had significantly higher levels of serum total bilirubin compared to MMC subjects(339.40μmol/L±270.09μmol/L vs 176.13μmol/L±185.70μmol/L,P=0.014).Serum albumin levels were significantly increased in both the"TQD"group and"TTK"group as compared with the MMC group(31.30 g/L±4.77g/L,30.72 g/L±2.89 g/L vs 28.57 g/L±4.56 g/L,P<0.05).There were no significant differences in levels of alanine transaminase among the three groups(P>0.05).Safety data showed that there was one case of stomachache in the"TQD"group and one case of gastrointestinal side effect in the"TTK"group.CONCLUSION:Treatment with"TTK"improved the survival rates of patients with liver failure due to chronic hepatitis B.Additionally,liver tissue was regenerated and liver function was restored.

Effect of liver transplantation with primary hyperoxaluria type 1:Five case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Primary hyperoxaluria type 1(PH1)is a rare autosomal recessive disease stemming from a deficiency in liver-specific alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase,resulting in increased endogenous oxalate deposition and end-stage renal disease.Organ transplantation is the only effective treatment.However,its approach and timing remain controversial.CASE SUMMARY We retrospectively analyzed 5 patients diagnosed with PH1 from the Liver Transplant Center of the Beijing Friendship Hospital from March 2017 to December 2020.Our cohort included 4 males and 1 female.The median age at onset was 4.0 years(range:1.0-5.0),age at diagnosis was 12.2 years(range:6.7-23.5),age at liver transplantation(LT)was 12.2 years(range:7.0-25.1),and the follow-up time was 26.3 mo(range:12.8-40.1).All patients had delayed diagnosis,and 3patients had progressed to end-stage renal disease by the time they were diagnosed.Two patients received preemptive LT;their estimated glomerular filtration rate was maintained at>120 mL/min/1.73 m2,indicating a better prognosis.Three patients received sequential liver and kidney transplantation.After transplantation,serum and urinary oxalate decreased,and liver function recovered.At the last follow-up,the estimated glomerular filtration rates of the latter 3 patients were 179,52 and 21 mL/min/1.73 m2.CONCLUSION Different transplantation strategies should be adopted for patients based on their renal function stage.Preemptive-LT offers a good therapeutic approach for PH1.

Combined liver and kidney transplantation in Guangzhou,China

BACKGROUND: When liver or kidney transplant can respectively cure end-stage liver or kidney disease, neither hepatic graft nor renal transplant alone can be used as a radical therapy for diseases which involve both liver and kidney. Combined liver and kidney transplantation commenced late in China, and the number of transplants has been limited. This study was designed to assess the effects of simultaneous combined liver and kidney transplantation (SLKT) on end-stage liver and kidney diseases. METHODS: Fifteen patients who had received SLKT from 1996 to 2006 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were reviewed. They included 5 patients with polycystic liver and kidney, 5 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and renal failure, and 5 patients with fulminant hepatic failure and hepatorenal syndrome (11 men and 4 women; average age 43.5 years). All patients had combined liver and kidney transplantation. RESULTS: The 5 patients with polycystic liver and kidney have survived for more than one year after SLKT, and the longest survival has been 5 years. Three of the 5 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and renal failure have survived more than two years; one died perioperatively and the other died from recurrence of hepatitis B 18 months after the operation. Three of the 5 patients with fulminant hepatic failure and hepatorenal syndrome have survived for two years, and 2 died of multiple organ failure during the operation. CONCLUSIONS: SLKT is an effective therapy for end-stage liver and kidney disease but the indications of SLKT for hepatorenal syndrome should be strict. SLKT may immunologically protect the renal graft.

Relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic kidney disease could start in childhood

The relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and chronic kidney disease(CKD)has gained considerable scientific interest in adults over the past few years.However,this association has recently emerged in children.Several published studies have suggested a role for NAFLD as a risk factor for CKD from the earliest age,with a potential influence of the major NAFLD risk polymorphisms,resulting in an increased risk of both cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.In view of the progressive course and increased cardiometabolic risk closely related to NAFLD and CKD,we focused on the link between these diseases in childhood.

Shifting perspectives in liver diseases after kidney transplantation

Liver diseases after kidney transplantation range from mild biochemical abnormalities to severe hepatitis or cirrhosis.The causes are diverse and mainly associated with hepatotropic viruses,drug toxicity and metabolic disorders.Over the past decade,the aetiology of liver disease in kidney recipients has changed significantly.These relates to the use of direct-acting antiviral agents against hepatitis C virus,the increasing availability of vaccination against hepatitis B and a better understanding of drug-induced hepatotoxicity.In addition,the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has brought new challenges to kidney recipients.This review aims to provide healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of recent advances in the management of liver complications in kidney recipients and to enable them to make informed decisions regarding the risks and impact of liver disease in this population.

Formation of Superoxide Radical and Hydrogen Peroxide Enhanced by Trinitrotoluene in Rat Liver, Brain, Kidney, and Testicle in Vitro and Monkey Liver in Vivo

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) increased the formation of adrenochrome from adrenaline and the formation of formaldehyde from methanol in rat liver mitochondria and microsomes in vitro as well as in monkey liver mitrochondria and microsomes in vivo. The effects were more prominent at higher TNT concentrations. These findings indicate that TNT enhances the production of superoxide radicals (O_2^-) and hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2). The production of O_2^- was more prominent in systems containing added TNT than in those containing added benzyl viologen. H_2O_2 production by mitochondria was more pronounced in the liver than in other organs, but its production by microsomes was more pronounced in the brain than in other organs. The results suggest that TNT undergoes cycling reduction which produces oxidative stress. 1989 Academic Press, Inc.

Clinical value of liver and spleen shear wave velocity in predicting the prognosis of patients with portal hypertension

AIM To explore the relationship of liver and spleen shear wave velocity in patients with liver cirrhosis combined with portal hypertension,and assess the value of liver and spleen shear wave velocity in predicting the prognosis of patients with portal hypertension.METHODS All 67 patients with liver cirrhosis diagnosed as portal hypertension by hepatic venous pressure gradient in our hospital from June 2014 to December 2014 were enrolled into this study. The baseline information of these patients was recorded. Furthermore,67 patients were followed-up at 20 mo after treatment,and liver and spleen shear wave velocity were measured by acoustic radiation force impulse at the 1^(st) week,3^(rd) month and 9^(th) month after treatment. Patients with favorable prognosis were assigned into the favorable prognosis group,while patients with unfavorable prognosis were assigned into the unfavorable prognosis group. The variation and difference in liver and spleen shear wave velocity in these two groups were analyzed by repeated measurement analysis of variance. Meanwhile,in order to evaluate the effect of liver and spleen shear wave velocity on the prognosis of patients with portal hypertension,Cox's proportional hazard regression model analysis was applied. The ability of those factors in predicting the prognosis of patients with portal hypertension was calculated through receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves.RESULTS The liver and spleen shear wave velocity in the favorable prognosis group revealed a clear decline,while those in the unfavorable prognosis group revealed an increasing tendency at different time points. Furthermore,liver and spleen shear wave velocity was higher in the unfavorable prognosis group,compared with the favorable prognosis group; the differences were statistically significant(P < 0.05). The prognosis of patients with portal hypertension was significantly affected by spleen hardness at the 3^(rd) month after treatment [relative risk(RR) = 3.481]. At the 9^(th) month after treatment,the prognosis was affected by liver hardness(RR = 5.241) and spleen hardness(RR = 7.829). The differences between these two groups were statistically significant(P < 0.05). The ROC analysis revealed that the area under the curve(AUC) of spleen hardness at the 3^(rd) month after treatment was 0.644,while the AUCs of liver and spleen hardness at the 9^(th) month were 0.579 and 0.776,respectively. These might predict the prognosis of patients with portal hypertension.CONCLUSION Spleen hardness at the 3^(rd) month and liver and spleen shear wave velocity at the 9^(th) month may be used to assess the prognosis of patients with portal hypertension. This is hoped to be used as an indicator of predicting the prognosis of patients with portal hypertension.

Biological basis of “depression with liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome”: A digital gene expression profiling study

Objective:To investigate the biological basis of“depression with liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome”.Methods:A digital gene expression profiling method was conducted to explore global changes in the mRNA transcriptome in a rat model of depression with liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(q-PCR)was performed to verify the five genes most interest based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome(KEGG)analysis.Sini San,which disperses stagnated liver qi and strengthens the spleen,was administered to the model rats to observe whether it could reverse these genetic changes in the liver.Results:Forty-six differentially expressed genes were identified.Three of the five genes of most interestdHnf4a,Hnf4g and Cyp1a1dbased on KEGG analysis,were confirmed by realtime q-PCR.Sini San reduced the gene expression changes of Hnf4a,Hnf4g and Cyp1a1 in the rat model.Conclusions:Hnf4a,Hnf4g and Cyp1a1 are involved in“depression with liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome”.These findings indicate that depressed rats with liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome are at risk of liver diseases.Furthermore,our results will inform exploration of the etiology of depression and help in the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

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.