Biomarkers of Cholestasis and Liver Injury in the Early Phase of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Their Pathophysiological Value

Background: Impaired liver function and cholestasis are frequent findings in critically ill patients and are associated with poor outcomes. We tested the hypothesis that hypoxic liver injury and hypoxic cholangiocyte injury are detectable very early in patients with ARDS, may depend on the severity of hypoxemia, and may be aggravated by the use of rescue therapies (high PEEP level and prone positioning) but could be attenuated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods: In 70 patients with ARDS, aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), alanin-aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) were measured on the day of the diagnosis of ARDS and three more consecutive days (day 3, day 5, day 10), total bile acids were measured on day 0, 3, and 5. Results: AST levels increased on day 0 and remained constant until day 5, then dropped to normal on day 10 (day 0: 66.5 U/l; day 3: 60.5 U/l; day 5: 63.5 U/l, day 10: 32.1 U/l), ALT levels showed the exact opposite kinetic. GGT was already elevated on day 0 (91.5 U/l) and increased further throughout (day 3: 163.5 U/l, day 5: 213 U/l, day 10: 307 U/l), total bile acids levels increased significantly from day 0 to day 3 (p = 0.019) and day 0 to day 5 (p < 0.001), but not between day 3 and day 5 (p = 0.217). Total bile acids levels were significantly correlated to GGT on day 0 (p < 0.001), day 3 (p = 0.02), and in a trend on day 5 (p = 0.055). PEEP levels were significantly correlated with plasma levels of AST (day 3), ALT (day 5) and GGT (day 10). Biomarker levels were not associated with the use of ECMO, prone position, the cause of ARDS, and paO2. Conclusions: We found no evidence of hypoxic liver injury or hypoxic damage to cholangiocytes being caused by the severity of hypoxemia in ARDS patients during the very early phase of the disease. Additionally, mean PEEP level, prone positioning, and ECMO treatment did not have an impact in this regard. Nevertheless, GGT levels were elevated from day zero and rising, this increase was not related to paO2, prone position, ECMO treatment, or mean PEEP, but correlated to total bile acid levels.

The comparison of total bile acid concentration and alcohol dehydrogenase activity as markers of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the liver disorder in the second or early third trimester of pregnancy. It is characterized by pruritus with increased serum bile acids concentration and other liver function tests. ICP is connected with increased risk of fetal mortality, but is unfortunately detected quite late. Therefore, it is important to recognize the disease in its early stages. We aimed to investigate the serum alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and compare it with the concentration of total bile acid (TBA) in women with ICP. Methods: Serum samples were taken for routine investigation from 80 pregnancies with ICP in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and from 80 healthy pregnant women in the same time of pregnancy. For measurement of class I activity we used the spectrofluorometric methods. The total ADH activitiy was measured by the photometric method. Results: The analysis of results shows a statistically significant increase in the activity of ADH I and ADH total (about 60% and 41.3%, respectively). Activity of ADH I well correlated with aminotransferases (alanine ALT and aspartate AST) and total bile acids (TBA) concentration. The total ADH activity was also positively correlated with ALT, AST and total bile acids. Conclusion: We can state that the activity of class I alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme in the sera of patients with ICP is increased and seems to be a good indicator of liver cell destruction during this disease and is comparable with the value of other markers.

Value of Serum Glycocholic Acid and Total Bile Acids in Predicting Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy

Objective. To see whether serum glycocholic acid (CG) and total bile acids (TBA) can predict maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis (ICP). Method. The observation group consisted of 80 women with ICP who were treated in our hospital, whereas the control group consisted of 50 ordinary women who were also treated at our hospital at the same time. The levels of CG and TBA in the two groups were determined independently, and the differences in poor perinatal outcomes were compared. Finally, the predictive diagnostic value of CG and TBA for poor perinatal outcomes in ICP mothers was displayed using the Spearman correlation between CG and TBA and Apgar. The maternal CG and TBA levels in the observation group were substantially higher than in the control group (P0.05). The observation group had more significant maternal-fetal discomfort, neonatal asphyxia, preterm birth, and perinatal death than the control group (P0.05). The risk of poor perinatal outcomes in ICP mothers rose when TBA and CG levels increased (P0.05). Apgar ratings were inversely associated with CG and TBA (r = −0.8251 and r = −0.5969, respectively, P0.05). The CG and TBA diagnostic AUCs for unfavorable perinatal outcomes in ICP mothers were (P0.05). Conclusion. CG and TBA have a high diagnostic value for ICP and may better predict and identify poor prenatal outcomes. It is suitable for clinical use.

Dietary and Pharmacologic Manipulations of Host Lipids and Their Interaction With the Gut Microbiome in Non-human Primates

The gut microbiome influences nutrient processing as well as host physiology. Plasma lipid levels have been associated with the microbiome, although the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown, and the effects of dietary lipids on the gut microbiome in humans are not well-studied. We used a compilation of four studies utilizing non-human primates (Chlorocebus aethiops and Macaca fascicularis) with treatments that manipulated plasma lipid levels using dietary and pharmacological techniques, and characterized the microbiome using 16S rDNA. High-fat diets significantly reduced alpha diversity (Shannon) and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio compared to chow diets, even when the diets had different compositions and were applied in different orders. When analyzed for differential abundance using DESeq2, Bulleidia, Clostridium, Ruminococcus, Eubacterium, Coprocacillus, Lachnospira, Blautia, Coprococcus, and Oscillospira were greater in both chow diets while Succinivibrio, Collinsella, Streptococcus, and Lactococcus were greater in both high-fat diets (oleic blend or lard fat source). Dietary cholesterol levels did not affect the microbiome and neither did alterations of plasma lipid levels through treatments of miR-33 antisense oligonucleotide (anti-miR-33), Niemann–Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), and inducible degrader of LDLR (IDOL) ASO. However, a liver X receptor (LXR) agonist shifted the microbiome and decreased bile acid levels. Fifteen genera increased with the LXR agonist, while seven genera decreased. Pseudomonas increased on the LXR agonist and was negatively correlated to deoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and total bile acids while Ruminococcus was positively correlated with taurolithocholic acid and taurodeoxycholic acid. Seven of the nine bile acids identified in the feces significantly decreased due to the LXR agonist, and total bile acids (nmol/g) was reduced by 62%. These results indicate that plasma lipid levels have, at most, a modest effect on the microbiome, whereas bile acids, derived in part from plasma lipids, are likely responsible for the indirect relationship between lipid levels and the microbiome.

Influence of severity of total bile acids and mode of delivery on the perinatal outcomes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

To assess the associations between mode of delivery and pregnancy outcomes in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) based on the severity of maternal hypercholanemia. A hospital-based retrospective cohort study was performed between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. Among the 177 women with mild total bile acids, 123 (69.5%) had a vaginal delivery and 54 (30.5%) underwent a cesarean delivery, of which 42 (23.7%) were planned and 12 (6.8%) were unplanned. Among the 50 severe ICP women, 13 (26.0%) had a vaginal delivery and 37 (74.0%) underwent a cesarean delivery, of which 26 (52.0%) were planned and 11 (22.0%) were unplanned. Severe ICP was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (P < 0.001), low birthweight (P=0.001), and neonatal intensive care unit admission (P < 0.001). Women with severe ICP (aOR, 5.017; 95% CI 1.848–13.622), planned cesarean delivery (aOR, 5.444; 95%CI 1.723–17.203), or unplanned cesarean delivery (aOR, 5.792; 95%CI 1.384–24.236) had increased risks of adverse fetal outcomes compared to controls. Both planned and unplanned cesarean delivery are associated with a higher incidence of adverse fetal outcomes and severe ICP than vaginal delivery.

Influence of cranioskeltal trauma, complicated with blood loss, on the bile-forming function of liver during the early period of traumatic disease among rats with different resistance to hypoxia and its correction

Introduction. The development of multiorgan dysfunction and insufficiency is one of the serious complications of severe multiple and combined lesions. In their pathogenesis, a key role is played by secondary lesions of organs remote from the site of direct injury, which is caused by the systemic response of the body to inflammation and is a characteristic feature of traumatic disease. As a model of the development of organ damage in experimental polytrauma, the biliary function of liver is often investigated. However, the features of systemic disorders, in particular, the biliary function of liver, in conditions of severe skeletal injury, depending on the resistance to hypoxia, have not been studied enough.Purpose: to determine the dynamics of biliary function of liver in case of cranioskeletal trauma complicated with blood loss among rats with different resistance to hypoxia during the early period of traumatic disease and to evaluate the effectiveness of thiocetam in the correction of identified disorders.Materials and methods. 108 nonlinear white male rats weighing 180-200 g were used in the experiments. Previously, individual resistance to hypoxia was determined, rats were divided into two groups: with high- and low-resistance (HR and LR) animals to hypoxia. Subsequently, HR and LR rats were divided into 4 groups: one control and three experimental. Under conditions of thiopentale sodium anesthesia (40 mg kg-1) the first experimental group HR and LR of rats was had cranioskeletal trauma, the second - acute blood loss in the amount of 20-22% of circulating blood volume, the third experimental group after application of cranioskeletal injuries and acute blood loss in order to correct HR and LR-rats were thrown Thiocetam intraperitoneally, dose 250 mg kg-1 of body weight 1 time per day. Animals of the control and experimental groups in 1, 3 and 7 days after injury were catheterized the common bile duct, collected bile, in which the content of total bile acids was determined.It was found out that laboratory white rats, which are genetically different in resistance to hypoxia, also differ in the intensity of biliary function of liver. Among HR rats, the bile content of total bile acids was higher than that among LR rats. Under the influence of cranioskeletal injury, the bile content of total bile acids decreased among both HR and LR rats. Despite the lower initial content of total bile acids in the bile of LR rats, under the influence of cranioskeletal trauma in this group, the degree of the studied indicator reduction was significantly greater than among HR rats, indicating greater sensitivity of LR rats to pathogens of traumatic disease, which lead to damage to the microsomal monooxygenase system of hepatocytes. Under the conditions of acute blood loss additional modeling, the disorders were more visible, but the result was statistically significant only among LR rats in 3 days of the experiment. In addition, LR rats had a greater degree of reduction of the studied indicator in 3 and 7 days of the experiment. Under the influence of seven-day-usage of Thiocetam in the groups of LR and HR rats with cranioskeletal trauma, the violation of total bile acids content in the bile became significantly lower compared to animals without correction. A similar result was found under conditions of additional acute blood loss. Under these conditions, the degree of increase of total bile acids content in the bile was greater among LR rats than among HR rats, which indicates a higher efficiency of Thiocetam among LR rats.Conclusions: 1. The content of total bile acids in the bile among intact HR-rats is significantly higher than among LR-rats. Under the influence of cranioskeletal trauma, the content of total bile acids in the bile is reduced compared to the control, but the degree of reduction is significantly greater among LR rats after 7 days of the experiment. Complication of cranioskeletal injury with acute blood loss causes a significantly greater reduction in the bile content of total bile acids among LR rats compared with HR rats after 3 and 7 days of the experiment. The use of Thiocetam is accompanied by a decrease of liver biliary dysfunction, which is more visible among LR rats with acute blood loss.

Effects of high intake of cod or salmon on gut microbiota profile, faecal output and serum concentrations of lipids and bile acids in overweight adults: a randomised clinical trial

Purpose To explore whether high intake of cod or salmon would affect gut microbiota profile, faecal output and serum concentrations of lipids and bile acids. Methods Seventy-six adults with overweight/obesity with no reported gastrointestinal disease were randomly assigned to consume 750 g/week of either cod or salmon, or to avoid fish intake (Control group) for 8 weeks. Fifteen participants from each group were randomly selected for 72 h faeces collection at baseline and end point for gut microbiota profile analyses using 54 bacterial DNA probes. Food intake was registered, and fasting serum and morning urine were collected at baseline and end point. Results Sixty-five participants were included in serum and urine analyses, and gut microbiota profile was analysed for 33 participants. Principal component analysis of gut microbiota showed an almost complete separation of the Salmon group from the Control group, with lower counts for bacteria in the Bacteroidetes phylum and the Clostridiales order of the Firmicutes phyla, and higher counts for bacteria in the Selenomonadales order of the Firmicutes phylum. The Cod group showed greater similarity to the Salmon group than to the Control group. Intake of fibres, proteins, fats and carbohydrates, faecal daily mass and output of fat, cholesterol and total bile acids, and serum concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerols, non-esterified fatty acids and total bile acids were not altered in the experimental groups. Conclusion A high intake of cod or salmon fillet modulated gut microbiota but did not affect faecal output or serum concentrations of lipids and total bile acids. Clinical trial registration This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02350595.