scholarly journals Alcohol drinking and risks of liver cancer and non-neoplastic chronic liver diseases in China: a 10-year prospective study of 0.5 million adults

BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pek Kei Im ◽  
Iona Y. Millwood ◽  
Christiana Kartsonaki ◽  
Yu Guo ◽  
Yiping Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for hepatic neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. Questions remain, however, about the relevance to disease risk of drinking patterns and alcohol tolerability, which differ appreciably between Chinese and Western populations. Methods The prospective China Kadoorie Biobank included 512,715 adults (41% men) aged 30–79 years recruited from ten areas during 2004–2008, recording alcohol intake, drinking patterns, and other characteristics. After median 10 years’ follow-up, 2531 incident liver cancer, 2040 liver cirrhosis, 260 alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and 1262 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cases were recorded among 492,643 participants without prior cancer or chronic liver disease at baseline. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) relating alcohol intake and drinking patterns to each disease. Results Overall, 33% of men and 2% of women drank alcohol regularly (i.e. at least weekly) at baseline. Among male current regular drinkers, alcohol consumption showed positive dose-response associations with risks of several major chronic liver diseases, with HRs per 280 g/week (i.e. around four drinks/day) higher usual alcohol intake of 1.44 (95% CI 1.23–1.69) for liver cancer (n = 547), 1.83 (1.60–2.09) for liver cirrhosis (n = 388), 2.01 (1.77–2.28) for ALD (n = 200), 1.71 (1.35–2.16) for NAFLD (n = 198), and 1.52 (1.40–1.64) for total liver disease (n = 1775). The association with ALD appeared stronger among men reporting flushing (i.e., with low alcohol tolerance). After adjustment for the total amount of weekly alcohol consumption, daily drinkers had significantly increased risk of ALD (2.15, 1.40–3.31) compared with non-daily drinkers, and drinking without meals was associated with significantly greater risks of liver cancer (1.32, 1.01–1.72), liver cirrhosis (1.37, 1.02–1.85), and ALD (1.60, 1.09–2.33) compared with drinking with meals. Female current regular drinkers had significantly higher risk of ALD, but not other liver diseases, than female abstainers. Conclusions In Chinese men, alcohol intake was associated with significantly increased risks of several major chronic liver diseases, and certain drinking patterns (e.g. drinking daily, drinking without meals) may further exacerbate the disease risks.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Na Young Lee ◽  
Ki Tae Suk

Liver cirrhosis is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide. In addition to viral hepatitis, diseases such as steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, sclerosing cholangitis and Wilson’s disease can also lead to cirrhosis. Moreover, alcohol can cause cirrhosis on its own and exacerbate chronic liver disease of other causes. The treatment of cirrhosis can be divided into addressing the cause of cirrhosis and reversing liver fibrosis. To this date, there is still no clear consensus on the treatment of cirrhosis. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in potential treatments that modulate the gut microbiota and gut-liver axis for the treatment of cirrhosis. According to recent studies, modulation of the gut microbiome by probiotics ameliorates the progression of liver disease. The precise mechanism for relieving cirrhosis via gut microbial modulation has not been identified. This paper summarizes the role and effects of the gut microbiome in cirrhosis based on experimental and clinical studies on absorbable antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Moreover, it provides evidence of a relationship between the gut microbiome and liver fibrosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3732
Author(s):  
Ciniso Sylvester Shabangu ◽  
Jee-Fu Huang ◽  
Hui-Hua Hsiao ◽  
Ming-Lung Yu ◽  
Wan-Long Chuang ◽  
...  

During the progression from hepatitis to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure, the accumulation of stressed/damaged hepatocyte elements associated with liver inflammation is critical. The causes of hepatocyte injuries include viral hepatitis infections, alcoholic hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (Hep-EVs) released from stressed/damaged hepatocytes are partly responsible for liver disease progression and liver damage because they activate non-parenchymal cells and infiltrate inflammatory cells within the liver, which are in turn are an important source of EVs. This cell-to-cell signaling is prevalent during inflammation in many liver diseases. Accordingly, special emphasis should be placed on liquid biopsy methods for the long-term monitoring of chronic liver diseases. In the present review, we have highlighted various aspects of current liquid biopsy research into chronic liver diseases. We have also reviewed recent progress on liquid biopsies that focus on cell-free DNA (cfDNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and the proteins in EVs as potential diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic targets in patients with viral hepatitis, fatty liver steatosis, and alcoholic liver diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-191
Author(s):  
Amir Anushiravani ◽  
Sadaf Ghajarieh Sepanlou

There has been an increase in the burden of liver diseases in Iran, with an increasing trend from communicable to non-communicable diseases. Almost 5400 deaths were due to chronic liver diseases in 2017. We aim to provide a concise update on the epidemiological trends of liver diseases in Iran. Estimations of deaths, disability-adjusted life years, prevalence of chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis in Iran with its common etiologies have been reported. We investigated the major causes of chronic liver diseases in Iran, we have reported our hepatology research centers, and also we have depicted the future of liver diseases in Iran. In 2017, there was a rising trend in chronic liver diseases in Iran. The most common etiologies for chronic liver disease were chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with highest mortalities due to liver cancer and hepatitis C. The prevalence of HBV infection has decreased from 2.9% to 1.3% with effective vaccination, but new cases are still seen due to perinatal transmission. Treatment of HCV has dramatically changed with new drugs which are being produced by local pharmaceuticals at a low cost. The main obstacle in its elimination is finding patients and linkage to care. More than a third of our population have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in which central obesity had a stronger association than weight itself. Iran has a high burden of liver diseases. The Ministry of Health has effectively controlled hepatitis B and is working towards the World Health WHO’s goals for hepatitis C by 2030. This being said, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming a major threat to our nation’s health and quality of life.


Author(s):  
Na Young Lee ◽  
Ki Tae Suk

Liver cirrhosis is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide. In addition to viral hepatitis, genetic conditions such as steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and Wilson’s disease can also lead to cirrhosis. Moreover, alcohol can cause cirrhosis on its own and exacerbate chronic liver disease from other causes. The treatment of cirrhosis can be divided into addressing the cause of cirrhosis and reversing liver fibrosis. To this date, there is still no clear consensus on the treatment of cirrhosis. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in potential treatments that modulate the gut microbiota and gut-liver axis for the treatment of cirrhosis. According to recent studies, modulation of the gut microbiome by probiotics ameliorates the progression of liver disease. The precise mechanism for relieving cirrhosis via gut microbial modulation has not been identified. This paper summarizes the role and effects of the gut microbiome in cirrhosis based on experimental and clinical studies on absorbable antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Moreover, it provides evidence of a relationship between the gut microbiome and liver cirrhosis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milica Obradovic ◽  
Zoran Gluvic ◽  
Nina Petrovic ◽  
Milan Obradovic ◽  
Ratko Tomasevic ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction. Chronic liver diseases (CLD) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in general population. The aim of this study was to analyze potential differences between patients with CLD and healthy control group, and to estimate the severity of CLD by using simple questionnaires: general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ). Methods. A cross-sectional pilot study was performed in Zemun Clinical Hospital during years 2014 and 2015. Sixty participants were divided into 4 groups (15 per group): chronic alcoholic hepatitis, other chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and healthy control group. Entire study population chose one of four offered answers of structured questionnaires GHQ-12 and CLDQ, based on which mean model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores were calculated. Results. Mean GHQ12 and CLDQ scores were 10.5 and 5.21 ± 1.11 respectively. Regarding certain CLDQ domain scores, a significant difference between alcoholic and non-alcoholic hepatitis groups in the worry domain was observed. Mean MELD score was 7.42 ± 2.89 and did not differ between chronic hepatitis groups, while mean CTP score was 5.73 ± 0.88. A statistically significant correlation was observed between GHQ12 and CLDQ scores (ρ = -0.404, p < 0.01), but not between subjective and objective scores. Conclusions. Mean GHQ12 and CLDQ scores pointed out to general psychological no-distress condition of the studied participants, as well as scarcely expressed CLD-specific complaints. Mean MELD and CTP scores indicated stable chronic liver diseases, with low three-month mortality rates in the cases of chronic hepatitis, as well as determination to Child A group in the case of liver cirrhosis.


Author(s):  
S. V. Stolov ◽  
T. Yu. Yamshchikova ◽  
T. A. Garan ◽  
T. A. Kochergina ◽  
Z. D. Schwazman ◽  
...  

Diagnosis of chronic liver diseases in elderly patients has its own features due to polymorbidity, multiple organ failure, being subtle the course of the disease. The purpose of the study was to identify correlations of inflammation biochemical parameters and hepatocellular failure with histology in chronic hepatitis (CH) and liver cirrhosis (LC) in elderly patients. Materials and methods. The study included medical records of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) who died in the Clinical Hospital for War Veterans of Saint Petersburg between 2009 and 2015 (with the average age of 81 year). The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis (45 cases) and chronic cirrhosis (54 cases) was confirmed by postmortem examination. Morphological changes in the liver were described according to Knodell creteria. The degree of inflammatory activity in the liver was evaluated in points (0.1 to 3.0) depending on the level of AST, ALT, -globulin, alkaline phosphatase, -GTP, bilirubin. For similar scoring severity hepatocellular insufficiency (0.13.0) considered total protein, albumin, prothrombin index, fibrinogen. For cirrhotic patients the Child-Pugh criteria were also used. Results. Chronic liver disease (CLD) hepatitis and cirrhosis of the elderly is detected in 1,5% of cases. In most cases, CLD develop secondary to diseases of the cardiovascular system, and are accompanied by subtle symptoms, which limits their life-time diagnosis. The integral evaluation of the process activity degree according to biochemical indices was significantly higher in the group of chronic hepatitis than in the group of liver cirrhosis. Correlations of the inflammation bichemical parameters (AST and / or ALT, -globulin, alkaline phosphatase, -GTP) having a degree of Knodell Histological Activity Group chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis have not been established. The study established correlation of histological activity with total bilirubin levels in both groups of CLD. Integral assessment of hepatocellular deficiency by biochemical indicators of liver cirrhosis group was higher than in the group of chronic hepatitis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Milosevic ◽  
Ankica Vujovic ◽  
Aleksandra Barac ◽  
Marina Djelic ◽  
Milos Korac ◽  
...  

The rapid scientific interest in gut microbiota (GM) has coincided with a global increase in the prevalence of infectious and non-infectivous liver diseases. GM, which is also called “the new virtual metabolic organ”, makes axis with a number of extraintestinal organs, such as kidneys, brain, cardiovascular, and the bone system. The gut-liver axis has attracted greater attention in recent years. GM communication is bi-directional and involves endocrine and immunological mechanisms. In this way, gut-dysbiosis and composition of “ancient” microbiota could be linked to pathogenesis of numerous chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), development of liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this paper, we discuss the current evidence supporting a GM role in the management of different chronic liver diseases and potential new therapeutic GM targets, like fecal transplantation, antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics. We conclude that population-level shifts in GM could play a regulatory role in the gut-liver axis and, consequently, etiopathogenesis of chronic liver diseases. This could have a positive impact on future therapeutic strategies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Hilda Orasan ◽  
George Ciulei ◽  
Angela Cozma ◽  
Madalina Sava ◽  
Dan Lucian Dumitrascu

Chronic liver diseases represent a significant public health problem worldwide. The degree of liver fibrosis secondary to these diseases is important, because it is the main predictor of their evolution and prognosis.Hyaluronic acid is studied as a non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases, in an attempt to avoid the complications of liver puncture biopsy, considered the gold standard in the evaluation of fibrosis. We review the advantages and limitations of hyaluronc acid, a biomarker, used to manage patients with chronic viral hepatitis B or C infection, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, HIV-HCV coinfection, alcoholic liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, biliary atresia, hereditary hemochromatosis and cystic fibrosis. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document