Anthropometry and Liver Function Parameters in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a metabolic condition commonly associated with central adiposity and altered liver function parameters (LFPs). Several studies have suggested these altered LFPs as a result of fatty liver diseases (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases) often prevalent in MS. Since altered LFPs are very common in MS, there is a possibility they can be used as predictors of MS. However, only a few studies have been carried out to evaluate this possibility. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the potential of LFPs as predictors or risk factors of MS. The study groups included 50 individuals diagnosed with MS (case group) and 50 apparently normal individuals (control) from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Anthropometric measurements, phlebotomy, liver function tests, and lipid profile estimations were done using standard procedures. (The result and conclusion section has been omitted).

Hepatoprotective Screening of Seriphidium kurramense (Qazilb.) Y.R. Ling

Investigation on medicinal plants’ therapeutic potential has gained substantial importance in the discovery of novel effective and safe therapeutic agents. The present study is aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective potential of Seriphidium kurramense methanolic extract (SKM) against carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. S. kurramense is one of the most imperative plants for its various pharmacological activities. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the hepatoprotective potential against CCl4-induced liver toxicity. The serum samples were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) together with the oxidative stress mediator levels as nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as peroxidation and H2O2 activity. CCl4 administration resulted in an elevated free radical generation, altered liver marker (AST and ALT) enzymes, reduced antioxidant enzyme, and increased DNA damage. Methanolic extract of S. kurramense decreased CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by increasing the antioxidant status and reducing H2O2 and nitrate content generation as well as reducing DNA damage. Additionally, SKM reversed the morphological alterations induced by CCl4 in the SKM-treated groups. These results demonstrated that SKM displayed hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in experimental rats.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and COVID-19–Two Pandemics Hitting at the Same Time

The COVID-19 pandemic was and still is a global burden with more than 178,000,000 cases reported so far. Although it mainly affects respiratory organs, COVID-19 has many extrapulmonary manifestations, including, among other things, liver injury. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain direct and indirect impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the liver. Studies have shown that around 15–30% of patients with COVID-19 have underlying liver disease, and 20–35% of patients with COVID-19 had altered liver enzymes at admission. One of the hypotheses is reactivation of an underlying liver disease, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Some studies have shown that NAFLD is associated with severe COVID-19 and poor outcome; nevertheless, other studies showed no significant difference between groups in comparing complications and clinical outcomes. Patients with NAFLD may suffer severe COVID-19 due to other comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases. The link between NAFLD and COVID-19 is not clear yet, and further studies and research are needed.

The Prophylactic Effects of Glutamine on Muscle Protein Synthesis and Degradation in Rats with Ethanol-Induced Liver Damage

The purpose of this research was to investigate the prophylactic effects of glutamine on muscle protein synthesis and degradation in rats with ethanol-induced liver injury. For the first 2 weeks, Wistar rats were divided into two groups and fed a control (n = 16) or glutamine-containing diet (n = 24). For the following 6 weeks, rats fed the control diet were further divided into two groups (n = 8 per group) according to whether their diet contained no ethanol (CC) or did contain ethanol (CE). Rats fed the glutamine-containing diet were also further divided into three groups (n = 8 per group), including a GG group (glutamine-containing diet without ethanol), GE group (control diet with ethanol), and GEG group (glutamine-containing diet with ethanol). After 6 weeks, results showed that hepatic fatty change, inflammation, altered liver function, and hyperammonemia had occurred in the CE group, but these were attenuated in the GE and GEG groups. Elevated intestinal permeability and a higher plasma endotoxin level were observed in the CE group, but both were lower in the GE and GEG groups. The level of a protein synthesis marker (p70S6K) was reduced in the CE group but was higher in both the GE and GEG groups. In conclusion, glutamine supplementation might elevate muscle protein synthesis by improving intestinal health and ameliorating liver damage in rats with chronic ethanol intake.

A cross-sectional observational study assessing the liver function in malarial patients

Background: Malaria is a major cause of morbidity in the tropics, being a disease of global importance that results in 300-500 million cases annually. Liver involvement manifests as jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia, hepatomegaly and elevated enzymes (transaminases and alkaline phosphatase). Our objective in this study was to evaluate the role of liver function as an indicator of malaria in endemic regions and as a marker of disease severity.Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in central laboratory, department of pathology, central laboratory, department of biochemistry, and out-patient department, department of medicine, medical college Baroda and SSG hospital over a period of ten months, from February, 2019 to November, 2019 and included 137 microscopy proven malaria positive cases. The parasite density on peripheral smear was graded as scanty, moderate and heavy. After procuring the records of serum bilirubin, SGPT and SGOT, statistical analysis of the data was performed.Results: All the 3 parameters show maximum derangement in severe parasitemia with mean values of 3.57, 81.44, and 92.9. While comparing vivax and falciparum malaria, all the LFTs studied show greater derangement in Plasmodium Falciparum when compared to Plasmodium vivax, with greatest difference seen in bilirubin levels (27.78% cases with hyperbilirubinemia in Plasmodium vivax versus 71.43% cases of Plasmodium falciparum showing hyperbilirubinemia).Conclusions: We conclude that altered liver function in form of hyperbilirubinemia and increased liver enzymes in a patient with acute febrile illness increase the probability of malaria, hence directing the clinician along the correct path of further work-up and accurate treatment.

Study Comparing the Liver Enzymes in Hypertensive and Normotensive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: There were few clinical trials which indicate altered liver biochemical findings in diabetic patients, but through investigation to compare the liver enzymes in-between hypertensive and normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes was not evaluated. Thus main objective of current study was to compare the liver enzymes in hypertensive and normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in a tertiary medical teaching hospital in Kolkata. Hospital OPD reports and patients clinical case records were used to fetch the required data in a predesigned clinical record pro forma. Result: Total 180 patients were participated in this observational retrospective trial where 33% patient were normotensive but having T2DM and 67% patients were hypertensive with T2DM. There were no statistically significant differences between the study variables among both the groups. However elevated level of GGT, ALT and AST were observed in T2DM normotensive patients as compare to T2DM hypertensive patients. abnormal liver functions were recorded in patients with uncontrolled diabetes as compared to patients with good control (p<0.05). Conclusion: The current study concluded that elevated liver enzymes like bilirubin, GGT, SGOT and SGPT were common among diabetes mellitus patients and comparable with patients with hypertensive as well as normotensive patients with diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Liver enzymes, T2DM, hypertension.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B, C and D virus infection amongst patients with features of hepatitis in a referral hospital in Botswana: A cross-sectional study

Background: Viral hepatitis is a major global health problem. There is a paucity of data from Botswana on the seroprevalence of markers of hepatitis. The objective of the study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis D virus (HDV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in patients with clinical features of hepatitis and/or altered liver function tests.Method: This cross-sectional study was done at Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) in Gaborone, Botswana, from February 2015 to July 2016. It involved 328 adult patients with any of the following: jaundice, history of liver disease and/or increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum bilirubin of 2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN).Results: Active or chronic active hepatitis (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] positive) was identified in 46.7% of patients. Antibodies to HDV infection were detected in 4.6% of the HBsAg-positive patients and antibodies to HCV infection in 4.3% of the study patients. Immunity against HBV infection was noted in 34.5% of patients. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection was self-reported by 42.7% of HBsAg-positive patients with known HIV status.Conclusion: High prevalence rate of HBV, HCV, HDV infection and HIV co-infection was observed in patients with liver disease attending PMH.

Elevations in Liver Transaminases in COVID-19: (How) Are They Related?

Liver involvement in COVID-19 is not yet well-understood, but elevations in liver transaminases have been described to occur in 14–53% of the cases and are more frequently seen in severe disease. This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between the elevations in liver transaminases and inflammatory parameters in 209 adults with COVID-19. Demographic and clinical data, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and liver aminotransferases were analyzed. Three groups were formed according to the liver transaminase abnormalities: (I) Normal transaminases, (II) Borderline transaminases elevation, and (III) Mild to severe transaminases elevation. Altered liver transaminases were directly related to disease severity, showing association with the NEWS2 score at admission and greater need for ICU or death. Moreover, higher levels of IL-2 and CRP were associated with borderline transaminases elevations, whereas higher levels of IL-10 and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio were associated with mild to severe transaminases elevation. These results reinforce the importance of liver transaminases in patients with COVID-19 as a complementary marker for disease severity and also point to them as a parameter reflecting the continuous dynamics between viral infection and the immune response.

Examining Liver Function in Adults with Diabetes in the United States

Purpose: Hyperglycemia is the hallmark of various types of diabetes and considered to be a risk factor for several chronic disorders including liver function. Though liver is a dynamic organ, incessant glucotoxicity can lead to altered liver function. The goals of the present study were to examine the association between diabetes with liver functions amongst adults in the United States. Methods: We analyzed 14,948 adults with diabetes in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2007 to 2016. Diabetes and prediabetes were defined in accordance with the American Diabetes Association 2021 guidelines. The association of demographic characteristics with glycemic levels was analyzed using the Chi-square test. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the associations of glycemic levels with abnormal liver enzyme levels. Regression model was adjusted for age, sex, and ethnicity. The statistical analyses were performed using STATA ver. 14. A