Diagnostic value of FIB-4, aspartate aminotransferaseto-platelet ratio index and liver stiffness measurement in hepatitis B virus-infected patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase

AIM To assess the diagnostic value of FIB-4, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI), and liver stiffness measurement(LSM) in patients with hepatitis B virus infection who have persistently normal alanine transaminase(PNALT).METHODS We enrolled 245 patients with chronic hepatitis B: 95 in PNALT group, 86 in intermittently elevated alanine transaminase(PIALT1) group [alanine transaminase(ALT) within 1-2 × upper limit of normal value(ULN)], and 64 in PIALT2 group(ALT > 2 × ULN). All the patients received a percutaneous liver biopsy guided by ultrasonography. LSM, biochemical tests, and complete blood cell counts were performed.RESULTS The pathological examination revealed moderate inflammatory necrosis ratios of 16.81%(16/95), 32.56%(28/86), and 45.31%(28/64), and moderate liverfibrosis of 24.2%(23/95), 33.72%(29/86), and 43.75%(28/64) in the PNALT, PIALT1, and PIALT2 groups, respectively. The degrees of inflammation and liver fibrosis were significantly higher in the PIALT groups than in the PNALT group(P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the areas under the curve(AUCs) between APRI and FIB-4 in the PNALT group; however, significant differences were found between APRI and LSM, and between FIB-4 and LSM in the PNALT group(P < 0.05 for both). In the PIALT1 and PIALT2 groups, no significant difference(P > 0.05) was found in AUCs for all comparisons(P > 0.05 for all). In the overall patients, a significant difference in the AUCs was found only between LSM and APRI(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION APRI and FIB-4 are not the ideal noninvasive hepatic fibrosis markers for PNALT patients. LSM is superior to APRI and FIB-4 in PNALT patients because of the influence of liver inflammation and necrosis.

Serum γ-glutamyltransferase,alanine aminotransferase,and aspartate aminotransferase activity in Iranian healthy blood donor men

AIM: To determine serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and to assess their correlation with demographic and clinical findings in healthy blood donors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in 934 male blood donors, aged 18 to 68 years, who consecutively attended Tehran blood transfusion service in 2006. All participants were seronegative for HBV or HCV infections, non alcohol users, and all underwent a standard interview and anthropometric tests. Clinical and biochemical parameters including AST, ALT, and GGT activities were determined. Patients taking drugs known to cause hepatic fat deposition were excluded. For AST, ALT, and GGT variables, we used 33.33 and 66.66 percentiles, so that each of them was divided into three tertiles. RESULTS: Mean AST, ALT, and GGT activities were 25.26 ± 12.58 U/L (normal range 5-35 U/L), 33.13 ± 22.98 (normal range 5-35 U/L), and 25.11 ± 18.32 (normal range 6-37 U/L), respectively. By univariate analyses, there were significant associations between increasing AST, ALT, or GGT tertiles and age, body weight, body mass index, and waist and hip circumferences (P < 0.05). By multiple linear regression analyses, ALT was found to be positively correlated with dyslipidemia (B = 6.988, P = 0.038), whereas ALT and AST were negatively correlated with age. AST, ALT, and GGT levels had positive correlation with family history of liver disease (B = 15.763, P < 0.001), (B = 32.345, P < 0.001), (B =24.415, P < 0.001), respectively.CONCLUSION: Although we did not determine the cutoffs of the upper normal limits for AST, ALT, and GGT levels, we would suggest screening asymptomatic patients with dyslipidemia and also subjects with a family history of liver disease.

Use of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio to reduce the need for Fibro Scan in the evaluation of liver fibrosis

To evaluate the performance of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio (APRI) score against FibroScan in predicting the presence of fibrosis. METHODSData of patients who concurrently had APRI score, FibroScan and liver biopsy to assess their hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) over 6 years were retrospectively reviewed and details of their disease characteristics and demographics were recorded. Advanced fibrosis was defined as ≥ F3. RESULTSOf the 3619 patients (47.5 ± 11.3 years, 97M:36F) who had FibroScans and APRI for HCV and HBV, 133 had concurrent liver biopsy. Advanced liver fibrosis was found in 27/133 (20%, F3 = 21 and F4 = 6) patients. Although APRI score (P < 0.001, AUC = 0.83) and FibroScan (P < 0.001, AUC = 0.84) predicted the presence of advanced fibrosis, the sensitivities and specificities were only modest (APRI score: 51.9% sensitivity, 84.9% specificity; FibroScan: 63% sensitivity, 84% specificity). Whilst 13/27 (48%) patients with advanced fibrosis had APRI ≤ 1.0, no patients with APRI ≤ 0.5 had advanced fibrosis, with 100% sensitivity. The use of APRI ≤ 0.5 would avoid the need for FibroScan in 43% of patients. CONCLUSIONAPRI score and FibroScan performed equally well in predicting advanced fibrosis. A proposed APRI cut-off score of 0.5 could be used as a screening tool for FibroScan, as cut-off score of 1.0 will miss up to 48% of patients with advanced fibrosis. Further prospective validation studies are required to confirm this finding.

Determination of the upper cut-off values of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in Chinese

AIM:To determine the upper cut-off values of serumalanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in a Northern Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 3769 subjects in Jilin Province Northeast China were stratified to determine the potential factors affecting serum ALT and AST levels.The upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST in these subjects were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis and their sensitivity and specificity were evaluated.RESULTS:Stratification analysis revealed that serum ALT and AST levels were associated with gender,alcohol consumption,serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels,and body mass index.The upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST were 22.15 U/L and 25.35 U/L for healthy men and 22.40 U/L and 24.25 U/L for healthy women,respectively.The new cut-off values had a higher sensitivity,but a slightly lower specificity than the current standards.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the new upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST are markedly lower than current standards and may be valuable for the evaluation of liver function.

Elevated alanine aminotransferase activity is not associated with dyslipidemias,but related to insulin resistance and higher disease grades in non-diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective:To explore demographic and metabolic factors associated with increased alanine aminotransferase(ALT)activity in non-diabetic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)patients.Methods:Overall 372 patients who consecutively attended to Gastroenterology Clinic of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran awere diagnosed as NAFLD entered into analysis.Exclusion criteria were having diabetes mellitus and fasting blood glucose over126 mg/dL,active hepatitis B virus infection,having hepatitis C virus positive serology,and to be under corticosteroid therapy.ALT levels were considered pathologically high when it was over30 IU/L for men and over 19 IU/L for women.Results:Bivariate analyses using t test and chisquare test showed that patients with pathologically augmented ALT levels had significantly higher NAFLD grades in their ultrasonographic evaluations(P=0.003).Moreover,these patients represented significantly higher homeostatic model assessment levels(P=0.003),levels of serum insulin(P=0.002),fasting blood glucose(P<0.001),and uric acid(P=0.02).The prevalence of insulin resistance was also higher in patients with increased serum ALT concentrations.Multifactorial logistic regression models showed that ultrasonographic grading of NAFLD(P=0.027)and insulin resistance(P=0.013)were the only variables significantly associated with abnormal ALT levels.Conclusions:This study shows that the associations of increased ALT serum levels in NAFLD patients are different from what are supposed before.By excluding diabetic patients from our population,we find that increased ALT levels are not associated with dyslipidemias but are independently associated with insulin resistance and NAFLD grading on ultrasonographic evaluations.Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Combined acoustic radiation force impulse, aminotransferase to platelet ratio index and Forns index assessment for hepatic fibrosis grading in hepatitis B

AIM: To investigate the combined diagnostic accuracy of acoustic radiation force impulse(ARFI), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index(APRI) and Forns index for a non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB). METHODS: In this prospective study, 206 patients had CHB with liver fibrosis stages F0-F4 classified by METAVIR and 40 were healthy volunteers were measured by ARFI, APRI and Forns index separately or combined as indicated. RESULTS: ARFI, APRI or Forns index demonstrated a significant correlation with the histological stage(all P < 0.001). According to the AUROC of ARFI and APRI for evaluating fibrotic stages more than F2, ARFI showed an enhanced diagnostic accuracy than APRI(P < 0.05). The combined measurement of ARFI and APRI exhibited better accuracy than ARFI alone when evaluating ≥ F2 fibrotic stage(Z = 2.77, P = 0.006). Combination of ARFI, APRI and Forns index did not obviously improve the diagnostic accuracy compared to the combination of ARFI and APRI(Z = 0.958, P = 0.338). CONCLUSION: ARFI + APRI showed enhanced diagnostic accuracy than ARFI or APRI alone for significant liver fibrosis and ARFI + APRI + Forns index shows the same effect with ARFI + APRI.

Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma development by aminotransferase to platelet ratio index in primary biliary cholangitis

AIM To investigate the usefulness of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index(APRI) in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) risk in primary biliary cholangitis(PBC).METHODS We identified PBC patients between 2000 and 2015 by searching the electronic medical database of a tertiary center. The hazard ratio(HR) of HCC with different risk factors was determined by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS One hundred and forty-four PBC patients were recru-ited. Patients were diagnosed at a median age of 57.8 years [interquartile range(IQR): 48.7-71.5 years), and 41(28.5%) patients had cirrhosis at baseline. The median follow-up duration was 6.9 years(range: 1.0-26.3 years). Twelve patients developed HCC, with an incidence rate of 10.6 cases per 1000 patient-years. The overall 5-, 10-and 15-year cumulative incidences of HCC were 2.3% 95%CI: 0%-4.8%), 8.4%(95%CI: 1.8%-14.5%) and 21.6%(6.8%-34.1%), respectively. Older age(HR = 1.07), cirrhosis(HR = 4.38) and APRI at 1 year after treatment(APRI-r1) > 0.54(HR = 3.94) were independent factors for HCC development. APRI-r1, when combined with treatment response, further stratified HCC risk(log rank P < 0.05). The area under receiver operating curve of APRI-r1 in predicting HCC was 0.77(95%CI: 0.64-0.88).CONCLUSION APRI-r1 can be used to predict the development of HCC in PBC patients. Combination of APRI-r1 with treatment response can further stratify the HCC risk.

Normal serum alanine aminotransferase activity in uncomplicated obesity

AIM: To evaluate serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)activity in a well-characterized group of uncomplicated obese subjects and its correlation with insulin resistance,plasma adiponectin, and leptin concentrations.METHODS: One hundred and five uncomplicatedobese subjects (87 women, 18 men, age 34.3±9.6 years,BMI 39.9±8.3 kg/m2)were studied. Serum ALT activity was evaluated. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (M index) and fasting insulin. Plasma leptin and adiponectin levels were also measured.RESULTS: Serum ALT concentration in the whole group of uncomplicated obese subjects was 17.73±6.33 U/L with none of the subjects presenting ALT levels greater than 43 U/L and only 9 (11%) women and 3 (19%) men showed ALT levels ＞19 and ＞30 U/L for women and men,respectively. No significant difference was detected in serum ALT levels between severe obese subjects (BMI ＞40 kg/m2) and those with BMI ＜40 kg/m2 (18.63±6.25 vs 17.26±6.02 U/L). ALT was significantly correlated with fasting insulin (r = 0.485, P = 0.02) and triglycerides (r= 0.358, P= 0.03).CONCLUSION: Serum ALT activity is practically normal in uncomplicated obese subjects, independently of their obesity degree. These findings suggest the role of obesityrelated comorbidities and not of BMI as main risk factors for elevated ALT levels in obese subjects.

Toll样受体4/核因子-κB p65通路对轮状病毒肠炎患儿肝损害的影响

目的探讨轮状病毒(RV)肠炎患儿Toll样受体4(TLR4)/核因子-κB(NF-κB)p56通路对肝损害的影响。方法选取50例RV肠炎患儿为RV组,另选取同期50例RV感染阴性的肠炎患儿为对照组。采用全自动生化分析仪检测患儿肝功能指标谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)水平。采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)检测外周血单核细胞(PMBC)的TLR4 mRNA、NF-κB mRNA表达;采用蛋白质印迹法检测NF-κB p65蛋白表达水平。比较2组患儿血清AST、ALT水平和肝损害发生率。比较2组患儿PMBC的TLR4 mRNA、NF-κB mRNA和NF-κB p65蛋白表达。比较RV组中伴肝损害患儿和无肝损害患儿PMBC的TLR4 mRNA、NF-κB mRNA和NF-κB p65蛋白表达水平。采用Pearson相关分析法分析RV肠炎患儿肝功能与TLR4/NF-κB p65通路的相关性。结果RV组患儿血清AST、ALT水平及肝损伤发生率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。RV组患儿PBMC的TLR4 mRNA、NF-κB mRNA和NF-κB p65蛋白表达高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。RV组中,伴肝损害患儿PBMC的TLR4 mRNA、NF-κB mRNA和NF-κB p65蛋白表达高于无肝损害患儿,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。RV肠炎患儿血清AST、ALT与TLR4 mRNA、NF-κB mRNA和NF-κB p65蛋白表达呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论RV肠炎患儿肝损害发生率较高,且与TLR4/NF-κB p65通路相关。TLR4/NF-κB p65通路过度激活可能是RV肠炎患儿发生肝损害的原因之一。

Predictive model for non-malignant portal vein thrombosis associated with cirrhosis based on inflammatory biomarkers

BACKGROUND Portal vein thrombosis(PVT),a complication of liver cirrhosis,is a major public health concern.PVT prediction is the most effective method for PVT diagnosis and treatment.AIM To develop and validate a nomogram and network calculator based on clinical indicators to predict PVT in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS Patients with cirrhosis hospitalized between January 2016 and December 2021 at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University were screened and 643 patients with cirrhosis who met the eligibility criteria were retrieved.Following a 1:1 propensity score matching 572 patients with cirrhosis were screened,and relevant clinical data were collected.PVT risk factors were identified using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Variance inflation factors and correlation matrix plots were used to analyze multicollinearity among the variables.A nomogram was constructed to predict the probability of PVT based on independent risk factors for PVT,and its predictive performance was verified using a receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),calibration curves,and decision curve analysis(DCA).Finally,a network calculator was constructed based on the nomograms.RESULTS This study enrolled 286 cirrhosis patients with PVT and 286 without PVT.LASSO analysis revealed 13 variables as strongly associated with PVT occurrence.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed nine indicators as independent PVT risk factors,including etiology,ascites,gastroesophageal varices,platelet count,D-dimer,portal vein diameter,portal vein velocity,aspartate transaminase to neutrophil ratio index,and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio.LASSO and correlation matrix plot results revealed no significant multicollinearity or correlation among the variables.A nomogram was constructed based on the screened independent risk factors.The nomogram had excellent predictive performance,with an area under the ROC curve of 0.821 and 0.829 in the training and testing groups,respectively.Calibration curves and DCA revealed its good clinical performance.Finally,the optimal cutoff value for the total nomogram score was 0.513.The sensitivity and specificity of the optimal cutoff values were 0.822 and 0.706,respectively.CONCLUSION A nomogram for predicting PVT occurrence was successfully developed and validated,and a network calculator was constructed.This can enable clinicians to rapidly and easily identify high PVT risk groups.

Improvement of hepatic fibrosis after tenofovir disoproxil fumarate switching to tenofovir alafenamide for three years

BACKGROUND Both tenofovir alafenamide(TAF)and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate(TDF)are the first-line treatments for chronic hepatitis B(CHB).We have showed switching from TDF to TAF for 96 weeks resulted in further alanine aminotransferase(ALT)improvement,but data remain lacking on the long-term benefits of TDF switching to TAF on hepatic fibrosis.AIM To assess the benefits of TDF switching to TAF for 3 years on ALT,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and hepatic fibrosis improvement in patients with CHB.METHODS A single center retrospective study on 53 patients with CHB who were initially treated with TDF,then switched to TAF to determine dynamic patterns of ALT,AST,AST to platelet ratio index(APRI),fibrosis-4(FIB-4)scores,and shear wave elastography(SWE)reading improvement at switching week 144,and the associated factors.RESULTS The mean age was 55(28-80);45.3%,males;15.1%,clinical cirrhosis;mean baseline ALT,24.8;AST,25.7 U/L;APRI,0.37;and FIB-4,1.66.After 144 weeks TDF switching to TAF,mean ALT and AST were reduced to 19.7 and 21,respectively.From baseline to switching week 144,the rates of ALT and AST<35(male)/25(female)and<30(male)/19(female)were persistently increased;hepatic fibrosis was also improved by APRI<0.5,from 79.2%to 96.2%;FIB-4<1.45,from 52.8%to 58.5%,respectively;mean APRI was reduced to 0.27;FIB-4,to 1.38;and mean SWE reading,from 7.05 to 6.30 kPa after a mean of 109 weeks switching.The renal function was stable and the frequency of patients with glomerular filtration rate>60 mL/min was increased from 86.5%at baseline to 88.2%at switching week 144.CONCLUSION Our data confirmed that switching from TDF to TAF for 3 years results in not only persistent ALT/AST improvement,but also hepatic fibrosis improvement by APRI,FIB-4 scores,as well as SWE reading,the important clinical benefits of long-term hepatitis B virus antiviral treatment with TAF.

孕妇早孕期血清ALT升高与TORCH感染的相关性研究

目的 分析孕妇早孕期血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)升高与TORCH感染的相关性。方法 选取本院282例免费孕前优生及早孕TORCH感染患者和同期未感染的282例免费孕前优生及早孕建卡者为研究对象,所有入选对象均接受ALT检测,对比分析两组ALT水平,并应用Logistic多因素回归分析方法对血清ALT升高与TORCH感染的相关性进行分析。结果 不同类型TORCH感染者ALT水平相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。感染组血清ALT水平显著高于健康组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic多因素回归分析结果显示,孕期血清ALT升高是TORCH感染的影响因素(P<0.05)。结论 孕妇早孕期血清ALT升高与TORCH感染密切相关,孕妇在孕前及孕期需积极加强ALT、TORCH监测。

Longitudinal Changes in Liver Aminotransferases Predict Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Patients with Nonviral Hepatitis

Objective This study explored the correlation of longitudinal changes in serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels with the incidence of metabolic syndrome （Mets） based on a dynamic health examination cohort. Methods A Mets-free dynamic cohort involving 4541 participants who underwent at least three health examinations from 2006 to 2011 was included in the study. Mets was defined according to the Chinese Medical Association Diabetes Branch definition that included hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Generalized estimating equation （GEE） model was used to analyze multivariate relative risk （RR） of repeated observations of ALT and AST in quartiles for Mets or its components according to gender. Results In all, 826 Mets cases were reported. Adjustment of relevant parameters indicated that time-varying changes in ALT and AST levels were positively associated with the incidence of Mets in a dose-response manner. Positive association between high ALT levels and fatty liver was much stronger than that between high AST levels and fatty liver, particularly in male participants. These associations were consistently observed in the following subgroups： participants with ALT and AST levels of 〈40 U/L, participants with of 〈25 kg/m2, and participants with non-fatty liver. Furthermore, participants with 2 Mets components at baseline showed lower multivariate adjusted RRs of ALT and AST for Mets than participants with 0-1 Mets component. Conclusion These results suggested that elevated serum ALT and AST levels were early biomarkers of Mets or its components.

Celiac disease screening in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis

We write a letter to the editor commenting the article“Who to screen and how to screen for celiac disease”.We discuss the present literature on cirrhosis and celiac disease(CD)and recommend screening and treating CD in individuals with cryptogenic cirrhosis.

Correlation of serum arylesterase activity on phenylacetate estimated by the integrated method to common classical biochemical indexes of liver damage

The correlation of serum arylesterase(PON1) activity on phenylacetate determined by an integrated method to clas-sical biochemical indexes of liver damage was investigated for the use of PON1 activity to evaluate liver damage.PON1 reaction curve as absorbance at 270 nm for 0.20 mmol/L phenylacetate hydrolysis was analyzed by the integrated method to determine maximal PON1 reaction rate.Classical biochemical indexes of liver damage were determined routinely.The 95% confidence threshold of PON1 activity in sera from healthy individuals was 2.12 mkat/L [(4.73±1.31) mkat/L,n=105].PON1 activity in clinical sera was closely correlated to serum albumin,total protein and the ratio of albumin to globulins,but was weakly correlated to both direct and total bilirubin in serum.There were no correlations of PON1 activity to γ-glutamyltransferase,alkaline phos-phatase,alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase.Among 127 clinical sera with PON1 activity>2.12 mkat/L,there were 92% healthy individuals examined by albumin,90% healthy individuals examined by total protein,88% healthy individuals examined by total bilirubin,86% healthy individuals examined by direct bilirubin and 64% healthy individuals examined by the ratio of albumin to globulins,respectively.In each group of healthy individuals judged by classical biochemical indexes of close correlation to PON1 activity,percentage of healthy individuals examined by PON1 activity was always >80%.These results suggested PON1 activity on phenylacetate estimated by the integrated method was also suitable for the evaluation of liver damage.

Acute liver injury in a COVID-19 infected woman with mild symptoms:A case report

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has spread rapidly,resulting in a pandemic in January 2020.Few studies have focused on the natural history and consequences of acute liver injury(ALI)in mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 patients,manifested by elevated aminotransferase levels.ALI is usually expected for severe COVID-19 cases.Here,we present a COVID-19 case with mild respiratory symptoms and significantly elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old woman without medical history or chronic illness received three COVID-19 vaccinations since the start of the pandemic.The patient was infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)and presented with mild symptoms on July 12th,2022.Post-recovery,she underwent an examination at our hospital on August 30th,2022.AST and ALT levels in the liver function test were 207 U/L(normal value<39,5.3-fold increase)and 570 U/L(normal value<52,10.9-fold increase),respectively.The patient was diagnosed with ALI,and no treatment was prescribed.The following week,blood tests showed a reduction in both levels(ALT 124 U/L,AST 318 U/L).Two weeks later,AST and ALT levels had decreased to near the expected upper limits(ALT 40 U/L,AST 76 U/L).CONCLUSION Clinicians should pay attention to liver function testing during COVID-19 recovery regardless of the disease’s severity.

Influence of liver function after laparoscopy-assisted vs totally laparoscopic gastrectomy

BACKGROUND Previously,some studies have proposed that total laparoscopic gastrectomy(TLG)is superior to laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy(LAG)in terms of safety and feasibility based on the related intraoperative operative parameters and incidence of postoperative complications.However,there are still few studies on the changes in postoperative liver function in patients undergoing LG.The present study compared the postoperative liver function of patients with TLG and LAG,aiming to explore whether there is a difference in the influence of TLG and LAG on the liver function of patients.AIM To investigate whether there is a difference in the influence of TLG and LAG on the liver function of patients.METHODS The present study collected 80 patients who underwent LG from 2020 to 2021 at the Digestive Center(including the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery and the Department of General Surgery)of Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Xiamen University,including 40 patients who underwent TLG and 40 patients who underwent LAG.Alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),γ-glutamyltransferase(GGLT),total bilirubin(TBIL),direct bilirubin(DBIL)and indirect bilirubin(IBIL),and other liver function-related test indices were compared between the 2 groups before surgery and on the 1^(st),3^(rd),and 5^(th) d after surgery.RESULTS The levels of ALT and AST in the 2 groups were significantly increased on the 1st to 2nd postoperative days compared with those before the operation.The levels of ALT and AST in the TLG group were within the normal range,while the levels of ALT and AST in the LAG group were twice as high as those in the TLG group(P<0.05).The levels of ALT and AST in the 2 groups showed a downward trend at 3-4 d and 5-7 d after the operation and gradually decreased to the normal range(P<0.05).The GGLT level in the LAG group was higher than that in the TLG group on postoperative days 1-2,the ALP level in the TLG group was higher than that in the LAG group on postoperative days 3-4,and the TBIL,DBIL and IBIL levels in the TLG group were higher than those in the LAG group on postoperative days 5-7(P<0.05).No significant difference was observed at other time points(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Both TLG and LAG can affect liver function,but the effect of LAG is more serious.The influence of both surgical approaches on liver function is transient and reversible.Although TLG is more difficult to perform,it may be a better choice for patients with gastric cancer combined with liver insufficiency.

非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4水平与肝纤维化发生的相关性

目的分析非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)患者改良肝尾状叶/右叶比值(C/RL-r)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶与血小板比值指数(APRI)、基于4因子的纤维化指数(FIB-4)与肝纤维化发生的相关性。方法选择2021年2月至2022年12月在保定市第一中心医院治疗的NAFLD患者153例,根据病理学结果,将患者分为无肝纤维化组81例、肝纤维化组72例。行MRI扫描检测C/RL-r;计算APRI、FIB-4水平;分析NAFLD患者实验室指标、C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4水平与发生肝纤维化的相关性,发生肝纤维化的独立危险因素及C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4对NAFLD患者发生肝纤维化的预测价值。结果肝纤维化组ALT、AST、TBil、GGT、TG、C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4水平显著高于无肝纤维化组,分别为(42.32±10.21)U/L比(36.21±7.78)U/L、(45.36±8.72)U/L比(27.45±5.40)U/L、(13.52±3.65)μmol/L比(12.24±2.16)μmol/L、(60.53±13.41)U/L比(53.69±12.44)U/L、(1.99±0.53)mmol/L比(1.05±0.33)mmol/L、(1.15±0.12)比(0.92±0.09)、(0.52±0.15)比(0.32±0.10)、(1.47±0.47)比(0.94±0.30),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平显著低于无肝纤维化组为(1.03±0.26)mmol/L比(1.32±0.45)mmol/L,(t=4.189、15.453、2.674、3.272、13.322、13.501、4.302、8.405、4.801,均P<0.05);NAFLD患者ALT、AST、TG、C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4与发生肝纤维化呈正相关(r=0.531、0.435、0.571、0.605、0.771、0.716,均P<0.001);ALT、AST、TG、C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4水平高是影响NAFLD患者发生肝纤维化的独立危险因素(P<0.05);C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4、三者联合预测NAFLD患者发生肝纤维化的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.767、0.830、0.754、0.936;相较于C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4单独预测的AUC,三者联合预测的AUC更高(Z=4.495、3.999、4.677,均P<0.001)。结论发生肝纤维化的NAFLD患者C/RL-r、APRI、FIB-4水平较高,三者联合检测对NAFLD患者发生肝纤维化具有较高预测价值。

基于天冬氨酸转氨酶-血小板计数比的列线图模型对肝细胞癌射频消融治疗后复发的预测价值

目的探讨天冬氨酸转氨酶-血小板计数比值指数(aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index,APRI)与肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)射频消融(radiofrequency ablation,RFA)治疗后肿瘤复发的关系。方法纳入2017年1月至2020年12月江苏大学附属武进医院初诊为HCC并接受RFA治疗的患者204例。采用受试者工作特征(receiver operation characteristics,ROC)曲线确定APRI的最佳截断值。绘制Kaplan-Meier曲线计算高、低APRI组患者的无复发生存期(recurrence-free survival,RFS)。Cox回归分析RFA后HCC复发的独立预测因素,并选择显著变量构建列线图模型。通过一致性指数(concordance index,C-index)和校正曲线评价列线图模型对HCC复发的预测能力。结果RFA治疗后HCC复发率为57.4%(117/204)。APRI预测HCC复发的最佳截断值为0.501,曲线下面积(area under curve,AUC)为0.678(95%CI:0.603~0.752)。高APRI组(≥0.501)121例,低APRI组(<0.501)83例,高APRI与患者低RFS显著相关(χ^(2)=12.929,P<0.01)。Cox回归分析证实,肿瘤数目(HR=1.541,95%CI:1.039~2.286,P=0.031)、肿瘤最大直径(HR=1.461,95%CI:1.011~2.112,P=0.044)、血清AFP(HR=2.286,95%CI:1.576~3.318,P<0.01)和APRI(HR=1.873,95%CI:1.257~2.790,P=0.002)是HCC复发的独立风险因素。基于以上4个因素构建预测RFA治疗后HCC复发的列线图模型,C-index为0.769(95%CI:0.676~0.862),预测1年、2年和3年RFS的AUC分别为0.707、0.719和0.707。校正曲线展示模型预测与实际复发风险之间具有良好一致性。结论基于APRI与肿瘤生物学特征的列线图模型对HCC复发具有良好预测能力。

ALT/AST及影像学特征预测肝癌经动脉化疗栓塞患者的预后

目的探讨经动脉化疗栓塞(transarterial chemoembolization,TACE)治疗前血清丙氨酸转氨酶/天冬氨酸转氨酶比值(ALT/AST)及影像学特征与肝癌患者预后的关系,构建预测患者总体生存率(overall survival,OS)的诺模图模型。方法纳入2016年7月至2020年7月苏州大学附属第一医院广慈分院诊断为肝癌并以TACE作为初始治疗的患者211例,将其随机分为建模组139例,验证组72例。采用受试者工作特征(receiver operation characteristics,ROC)曲线确定AST/ALT的最佳临界值。在建模组患者中进行单、多因素Cox回归分析,筛选影响肝癌患者OS的独立预测因素并构建预后模型。通过Harrell一致性指数(C指数)评价诺模图对肝癌患者OS的预测能力,校准曲线用于评估预后模型的预测准确性。结果建模组与验证组患者的基线特征分布差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。两组患者中位OS分别为28.5个月(95%CI:22.1~34.9)和25.1个月(95%CI:19.2~29.0),差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=1.395,P=0.322)。AST/ALT预测肝癌患者OS的最佳临界值为1.10,曲线下面积(area under curve,AUC)为0.674(95%CI:0.604~0.753)。Cox回归分析表明,肿瘤个数(HR=2.080,95%CI:1.245~3.475,P=0.005)、肿瘤包膜(HR=1.771,95%CI:1.128~2.780,P=0.013)、不规则边缘强化(HR=1.884,95%CI:1.190~2.984,P=0.007)和AST/ALT(HR=2.450,95%CI:1.506~3.987,P<0.01)是接受TACE治疗肝癌患者的独立预后因素。基于以上变量构建预测OS的诺模图模型,其在建模组与验证组中的C指数分别为0.733(95%CI:0.650~0.826)和0.770(95%CI:0.688~0.862)。校准曲线显示预后模型对1、2和3年OS的预测曲线与理想参考线之间未见明显偏离。结论基于肿瘤个数、影像学特征及AST/ALT的诺模图对接受TACE治疗的肝癌患者预后显示了良好的预测价值。