Browsing by Author "Sanyal, Arun J."

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    Alcohol Abstinence Does Not Fully Reverse Abnormalities of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells in the Blood of Patients With Alcoholic Hepatitis
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2019-06) Li, Wei; Lin, Edward L.; Liangpunsakul, Suthat; Lan, Jie; Chalasani, Sai; Rane, Sushmita; Puri, Puneet; Kamath, Patrick S.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Shah, Vijay H.; Radaeva, Svetlana; Crabb, David W.; Chalasani, Naga; Yu, Qigui; Microbiology & Immunology, IU School of Medicine
    OBJECTIVES: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) develops in approximately 30% of chronic heavy drinkers. The immune system of patients with AH is hyperactivated, yet ineffective against infectious diseases. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like lymphocytes that are highly enriched in liver, mucosa, and peripheral blood and contribute to antimicrobial immunity. We aimed to determine whether MAIT cells were dysregulated in heavy drinkers with and without AH and the effects of alcohol abstinence on MAIT cell recovery. METHODS: MR1 tetramers loaded with a potent MAIT cell ligand 5-(2-oxopropylideneamino)-6-d-ribitylaminouracil were used in multiparameter flow cytometry to analyze peripheral blood MAIT cells in 59 healthy controls (HC), 56 patients with AH, and 45 heavy drinkers without overt liver disease (HDC) at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Multiplex immunoassays were used to quantify plasma levels of cytokines related to MAIT cell activation. Kinetic Turbidimetric Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Assay and ELISA were performed to measure circulating levels of 2 surrogate markers for bacterial translocation (lipopolysaccharide and CD14), respectively. RESULTS: At baseline, patients with AH had a significantly lower frequency of MAIT cells than HDC and HC. HDC also had less MAIT cells than HC (median 0.16% in AH, 0.56% in HDC, and 1.25% in HC). Further, the residual MAIT cells in patients with AH expressed higher levels of activation markers (CD69, CD38, and human leukocyte antigen [HLA]-DR), the effector molecule granzyme B, and the immune exhaustion molecule PD-1. Plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide and CD14 and several cytokines related to MAIT cell activation were elevated in patients with AH (interferon [IFN]-α, interleukin [IL]-7, IL-15, IL-17, IL-18, IL-23, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor α). Decreased MAIT cell frequency and upregulated CD38, CD69, and HLA-DR correlated negatively and positively, respectively, with aspartate aminotransferase level. MAIT cell frequency negatively correlated with IL-18. HLA-DR and CD38 levels correlated with several cytokines. At follow-ups, abstinent patients with AH had increased MAIT cell frequency and decreased MAIT cell activation. However, MAIT cell frequency was not fully normalized in patients with AH (median 0.31%). DISCUSSION: We showed that HDC had a reduction of blood MAIT cells despite showing little evidence of immune activation, whereas patients with AH had a severe depletion of blood MAIT cells and the residual cells were highly activated. Alcohol abstinence partially reversed those abnormalities.
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    Association of Histologic Disease Activity With Progression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
    (JAMA Network, 2019-10-02) Kleiner, David E.; Brunt, Elizabeth M.; Wilson, Laura A.; Behling, Cynthia; Guy, Cynthia; Contos, Melissa; Cummings, Oscar; Yeh, Matthew; Gill, Ryan; Chalasani, Naga; Neuschwander-Tetri, Brent A.; Diehl, Anna Mae; Dasarathy, Srinivasan; Terrault, Norah; Kowdley, Kris; Loomba, Rohit; Belt, Patricia; Tonascia, James; Lavine, Joel E.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Importance: The histologic evolution of the full spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and factors associated with progression or regression remain to be definitively established. Objective: To evaluate the histologic evolution of NAFLD and the factors associated with changes in disease severity over time. Design, Setting, and Participants: A prospective cohort substudy from the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN) NAFLD Database study, a noninterventional registry, was performed at 8 university medical research centers. Masked assessment of liver histologic specimens was performed, using a prespecified protocol to score individual biopsies. Participants included 446 adults with NAFLD enrolled in the NASH CRN Database studies between October 27, 2004, and September 13, 2013, who underwent 2 liver biopsies 1 or more year apart. Data analysis was performed from October 2016 to October 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: Progression and regression of fibrosis stage, using clinical, laboratory, and histologic findings, including the NAFLD activity score (NAS) (sum of scores for steatosis, lobular inflammation, and ballooning; range, 0-8, with 8 indicating more severe disease). Results: A total of 446 adults (mean [SD] age, 47 [11] years; 294 [65.9%] women) with NAFLD (NAFL, 86 [19.3%]), borderline NASH (84 [18.8%]), and definite NASH (276 [61.9%]) were studied. Over a mean (SD) interval of 4.9 (2.8) years between biopsies, NAFL resolved in 11 patients (12.8%) and progressed to steatohepatitis in 36 patients (41.9%). Steatohepatitis resolved in 24 (28.6%) of the patients with borderline NASH and 61 (22.1%) of those with definite NASH. Fibrosis progression or regression by at least 1 stage occurred in 132 (30%) and 151 [34%] participants, respectively. Metabolic syndrome (20 [95%] vs 108 [72%]; P = .03), baseline NAS (mean [SD], 5.0 [1.4] vs 4.3 [1.6]; P = .005), and smaller reduction in NAS (-0.2 [2] vs -0.9 [2]; P < .001) were associated with progression to advanced (stage 3-4) fibrosis vs those without progression to stage 3 to 4 fibrosis. Fibrosis regression was associated with lower baseline insulin level (20 vs 33 μU/mL; P = .02) and decrease in all NAS components (steatosis grade -0.8 [0.1] vs -0.3 [0.9]; P < .001; lobular inflammation -0.5 [0.8] vs -0.2 [0.9]; P < .001; ballooning -0.7 [1.1] vs -0.1 [0.9]; P < .001). Only baseline aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were associated with fibrosis regression vs no change and progression vs no change on multivariable regression: baseline AST (regression: conditional odds ratio [cOR], 0.6 per 10 U/L AST; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7; P < .001; progression: cOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.5; P = .002). Changes in the AST level, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, and NAS were also associated with fibrosis regression and progression (ΔAST level: regression, cOR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.6-1.2; P = .47; progression, cOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.6; P = .02; ΔALT level: regression, cOR, 0.7 per 10 U/L AST; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9; P = .002; progression, cOR, 1.0 per 10 U/L AST; 95% CI, 0.9-1.2; P = .93; ΔNAS: regression, cOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9; P = .001; progression, cOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.5; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: Improvement or worsening of disease activity may be associated with fibrosis regression or progression, respectively, in NAFLD.
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    Attribution of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis as an Etiology of Cirrhosis for Clinical Trials Eligibility: Recommendations from the Multi-stakeholder Liver Forum
    (Elsevier, 2020) Noureddin, Mazen; Chan, Jean L.; Barradas, Katherine; Dimick-Santos, Lara; Schabel, Elmer; Omokaro, Stephanie O.; Anania, Frank A.; Myers, Robert P.; Miller, Veronica; Sanyal, Arun J.; Chalasani, Naga; Medicine, School of Medicine
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    Challenges in Patient Enrollment and Retention in Clinical Studies for Alcoholic Hepatitis: Experience of the TREAT Consortium
    (Wiley, 2017) Comerford, Megan; Lourens, Spencer; Liangpunsakul, Suthat; Chalasani, Naga P.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Shah, Vijay H.; Kamath, Patrick S.; Puri, Puneet; Katz, Barry P.; Radaeva, Svetlana; Crabb, David W.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    The TREAT Consortium has carried out clinical studies on alcoholic hepatitis (AH) for over 4 years. We encountered problems with participant recruitment, retention, and eligibility for specific protocols. To improve our ability to carry out such trials, we reviewed recruitment screening logs, end of study logs, and surveyed study coordinators to learn the reasons for missing patients, why patients declined enrollment, and the number of patients eligible for treatment trials. Associations of the recruited subjects’ demographics with their adherence to follow-up appointments were examined. Three hundred eight-seven patients (AH and heavy drinking controls) were enrolled in the observational study, and 55 AH patients were recruited into treatment trials. About half of patients identified with AH could not be recruited; no specific reason could be determined for about two-thirds of these. Among the patients who gave a reason for not participating, the most common reasons were feeling too sick to participate, desire to concentrate on abstinence, and lack of interest in research. Approximately a quarter of the AH patients met eligibility criteria for treatment trials for moderate or severe AH and we were able to recruit half to two-thirds of those eligible. Approximately 35% of participants in the observational study returned for both 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. We did not identify biopsychosocial or demographic correlates of retention in the study. This analysis revealed that attempts at recruitment into trials for AH miss some subjects because of structural issues surrounding their hospital admission, and encounter a high rate of patient refusal to participate. Nonetheless, more than half of the patients who met the eligibility criteria for moderate or severe AH were entered into clinical trials. Retention rates for the observational study are relatively low. These findings need to be accounted for in clinical trial design and power analysis.
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    The circulating microbiome signature and inferred functional metagenomics in alcoholic hepatitis
    (Wiley, 2017) Puri, Puneet; Liangpunsakul, Suthat; Christensen, Jeffrey E.; Shah, Vijay H.; Kamath, Patrick S.; Gores, Gregory J.; Walker, Susan; Comerford, Megan; Katz, Barry; Borst, Andrew; Yu, Qigui; Kumar, Divya P.; Mirshahi, Faridoddin; Radaeva, Svetlana; Chalasani, Naga P.; Crabb, David W.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Intestinal dysbiosis is implicated in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). However, changes in the circulating microbiome, its association with the presence and severity of AH and its functional relevance in AH is unknown. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of changes in the circulating microbiome were performed by sequencing bacterial DNA in subjects with moderate (n=18) or severe AH (n=19). These data were compared to heavy drinking controls (HDC) without obvious liver disease (n=19) and non-alcohol consuming controls (NAC, n=20). The data were related to endotoxin levels and markers of monocyte activation. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis, inferred metagenomics and predictive functional analysis using PICRUSt were performed. There was a significant increase in 16S copies/ng DNA both in MAH (p<0.01) and SAH (p<0.001) subjects. Compared to NAC, the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in HDC, MAH, and SAH (p<0.001). In contrast, all alcohol consuming groups had enrichment with Fusobacteria; this was greatest for HDC and decreased progressively in MAH and SAH. Subjects with SAH had significantly higher endotoxemia (p=0.01). Compared to alcohol consuming groups, predictive functional metagenomics indicated an enrichment of bacteria with genes related to methanogenesis and denitrification. Also, both HDC and SAH showed activation of type III secretion system which has been linked to gram negative bacterial virulence. Metagenomics in SAH vs NAC predicted increased isoprenoid synthesis via mevalonate and anthranilate degradation, known modulators of gram positive bacterial growth and biofilm production respectively. In conclusion, heavy alcohol consumption appears to be the primary driver of changes in the circulating microbiome associated with a shift in its inferred metabolic functions.
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    Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Mild to Moderate Alcoholic Hepatitis
    (Wiley, 2019) Samala, Niharika; Gawrieh, Samer; Tang, Qing; Lourens, Spencer G.; Shah, Vijay H.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Liangpunsakul, Suthat; Chalasani, Naga; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Introduction & Aim Much is known about alcoholic hepatitis (AH) that is severe enough to require hospitalisation. The characteristics of individuals with alcoholic hepatitis presenting with mild to moderate severity are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the risk factors, characteristics and outcomes of mild to moderate AH (M‐AH). Methods A total of 255 individuals with AH enrolled into a multicenter, prospective, observational study between 12/2014 and 4/2018 was included. Participants were seen at enrollment, 6 and 12 months. M‐AH was defined as MELD ≤20 at presentation, whereas severe AH as MELD ≥21. Results In total, 100 individuals had M‐AH, whereas 155 had severe AH. Individuals with M‐AH were older (49 vs 44 years, P = 0.01), had lower BMI (27 vs 31 kg/m2, P = 0.0007) and more likely to be male (68% vs 55%, P = 0.046) compared to the severe AH group. A higher proportion in the M‐AH group consumed coffee in the last 5 years compared to the severe AH group (29% vs 18%, P = 0.03), and fewer had PNPLA3 risk allele G (P = 0.019) compared to the severe AH group. Average drinks per drinking day (12.9 vs 10.7, P = 0.13) and total number of drinks in last 30‐day period (331 vs 280, P = 0.14) were not different between two groups. Compared to severe AH, patients with M‐AH had significantly lower mortality at 30 days (2% vs 13.6%), 90 days (3% vs 22.6%) and 12 months (10.4% vs 31.4%) (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusions Individuals with M‐AH were older, less obese, drank coffee more often and carried more favourable PNPLA3 genotype compared to severe AH, despite similar alcohol consumption. M‐AH had substantial mortality with one in ten dying by 12 months.
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    Consensus: guidelines: best practices for detection, assessment and management of suspected acute drug-induced liver injury during clinical trials in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
    (Wiley, 2019-03) Regev, Arie; Palmer, Melissa; Avigan, Mark I.; Dimick‐Santos, Lara; Treem, William R.; Marcinak, John F.; Seekins, Daniel; Krishna, Gopal; Anania, Frank A.; Freston, James W.; Lewis, James H.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Chalasani, Naga; Gastroenterology, IU School of Medicine
    BACKGROUND: The last decade has seen a rapid growth in the number of clinical trials enrolling patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Due to the underlying chronic liver disease, patients with NASH often require different approaches to the assessment and management of suspected drug-induced liver injury (DILI) compared to patients with healthy livers. However, currently no regulatory guidelines or position papers systematically address best practices pertaining to DILI in NASH clinical trials. AIMS: This publication focuses on best practices concerning the detection, monitoring, diagnosis and management of suspected acute DILI during clinical trials in patients with NASH. METHODS: This is one of several papers developed by the IQ DILI Initiative, comprised of members from 15 pharmaceutical companies, in collaboration with DILI experts from academia and regulatory agencies. This paper is based on extensive literature review, and discussions between industry members with expertise in drug safety and DILI experts from outside industry to achieve consensus on common questions related to this topic. RESULTS: Recommended best practices are outlined pertaining to hepatic inclusion and exclusion criteria, monitoring of liver tests, DILI detection, approach to a suspected DILI signal, causality assessment and hepatic discontinuation rules. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides a framework for the approach to assessment and management of suspected acute DILI during clinical trials in patients with NASH.
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    Current and Future Therapeutic Regimens for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
    (Wiley, 2018) Younossi, Zobair M.; Loomba, Rohit; Rinella, Mary E.; Bugianesi, Elisabetta; Marchesini, Giulio; Neuschwander-Tetri, Brent A.; Serfaty, Lawrence; Negro, Francesco; Caldwell, Stephen H.; Ratziu, Vlad; Corey, Kathleen E.; Friedman, Scott L.; Abdelmalek, Manal F.; Harrison, Stephen A.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Lavine, Joel E.; Mathurin, Philippe; Charlton, Michael R.; Chalasani, Naga P.; Anstee, Quentin M.; Kowdley, Kris V.; George, Jacob; Goodman, Zachary D.; Lindor, Keith; Medicine, School of Medicine
    NASH/NAFLD is rapidly becoming one of top causes of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and indication for liver transplantation. Except for life style modification through diet and exercise, there are currently no other approved treatments for NASH/NAFLD. Although weight loss can be effective, it is hard to achieve and sustain. In contrast, bariatric surgery can improve metabolic conditions associated with NAFLD and has been shown to improve liver histology. In order to have approved regimens for treatment of NASH/NAFLD, a number of issues that must be addressed. First, all stakeholders must agree on the most appropriate clinical trial endpoints for NASH. Currently, resolution of NASH (without worsening fibrosis) or reduction of fibrosis stage (without worsening NASH) are the accepted endpoints by the regulatory authorities. It is important to recognize the prognostic implication of histologic features of NASH. In this context, although histologic NASH has been associated with advanced stage of fibrosis, it is not an independent predictor of long term mortality. In contrast, there is significant data to suggest that stage of fibrosis is the only robust and independent predictor of liver-related mortality. In addition to the primary endpoints, a number of important secondary endpoints, including non-invasive biomarkers, long term outcomes, and patient reported outcomes, must be considered. In 2017, a few phase 3 clinical trials for treatment of NASH are in progress. Additionally, a number of phase 2a and 2b clinical trials targeting different pathogenic pathways in NASH enriches the pipeline of emerging therapies. Conclusion: Over the next 5 years, some of these regimens are expected to provide potential new treatment options for patients with NASH/NAFLD.
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    The Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Practice Guidance from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
    (Wiley, 2017) Chalasani, Naga; Younossi, Zobair; Lavine, Joel E.; Charlton, Michael; Cusi, Kenneth; Rinella, Mary; Harrison, Stephen A.; Brunt, Elizabeth M.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine
    This guidance provides a data-supported approach to the diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive aspects of NAFLD care. A “Guidance” document is different from a “Guideline.” Guidelines are developed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts and rate the quality (level) of the evidence and the strength of each recommendation using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. A guidance document is developed by a panel of experts in the topic, and guidance statements, not recommendations, are put forward to help clinicians understand and implement the most recent evidence.
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    Diagnostic Modalities for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Associated Fibrosis
    (Wiley, 2018) Younossi, Zobair M.; Loomba, Rohit; Anstee, Quentin M.; Rinella, Mary E.; Bugianesi, Elisabetta; Marchesini, Giulio; Neuschwander-Tetri, Brent A.; Serfaty, Lawrence; Negro, Francesco; Caldwell, Stephen H.; Ratziu, Vlad; Corey, Kathleen E.; Friedman, Scott L.; Abdelmalek, Manal F.; Harrison, Stephen A.; Sanyal, Arun J.; Lavine, Joel E.; Mathurin, Philippe; Charlton, Michael R.; Goodman, Zachary D.; Chalasani, Naga P.; Kowdley, Kris V.; George, Jacob; Lindor, Keith; Medicine, School of Medicine
    NAFLD is a spectrum comprised of isolated steatosis, NASH, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis. The majority of NAFLD subjects do not have NASH and don't carry a significant risk for adverse outcomes (cirrhosis and mortality). Globally, the prevalence of NAFLD is approximately 25%. In Asia, a gradient of high prevalence rates to low rates are noted from urban to rural areas. Given the prevalence of NAFLD, the clinical and economic burden of NAFLD and NASH can be substantial. With increasing recognition as an important liver disease, the diagnosis of NASH still requires a liver biopsy which is suboptimal. Although liver biopsy is the most accurate modality to diagnose and stage the severity of NASH, it suffers from being invasive, costly, associated with potential complications, and plagued with interobserver variability of individual pathologic features. A number of non-invasive modalities to diagnose NASH and stage liver fibrosis are being developed. These include predictive models (NAFLD fibrosis score) and serum biomarkers such as Enhanced Liver Fibrosis, (ELF). Other tests are based on radiologic techniques such as transient or MR elastography (MRE) which are used to estimate liver stiffness as a potential surrogate of hepatic fibrosis. Although a dynamic field of research, most of these diagnostic modalities have AUROC between 0.76 to 0.90% with MRE having the best predictive performance. In summary, developing accurate, safe and easily accessible non-invasive modalities to accurately diagnose and monitor NASH and associated fibrosis is of utmost importance in clinical practice and clinical research. These tests are not only important to risk stratify subjects at the greatest risk for progressive liver disease but to serve as appropriate surrogate endpoints for therapeutic clinical trials of NASH.