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Gastroenterol. Insights, Volume 16, Issue 2 (June 2025) – 5 articles

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15 pages, 1809 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clinical Characteristics of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease in Albanian Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Dorina Osmanaj, Floreta Kurti, Klerida Shehu, Yllka Themeli, Gentian Stroni, Erand Llanaj and Adriana Babameto

Gastroenterol. Insights 2025, 16(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/gastroent16020016 - 30 Apr 2025

Viewed by 318

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, yet its clinical profile in Albania, a region with high HBV prevalence and rising alcohol consumption, remains poorly characterized. This study evaluates the clinical markers of advanced ARLD as noninvasive fibrosis indicators, acknowledging limitations in observational data and the need for validation in diverse populations. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 patients with ARLD were classified as having mild or advanced disease based on clinical, biochemical, and imaging criteria. Associations between socioeconomic factors, nutritional status, and fibrosis markers with advanced ARLD were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, and duration of alcohol use. Results: Lower Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) score was significantly associated with advanced ARLD (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.99; p = 0.014), suggesting a potential role of nutritional status in disease progression. Higher APRI and FIB-4 scores were associated with an increased risk of advanced ARLD (APRI: OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.71–2.26; FIB-4: OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.81–1.51), though these associations did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: This study provides a first clinical assessment of ARLD in Albania, highlighting the potential role of nutritional and fibrosis markers in risk stratification. While the study design limits definitive conclusions, our findings underscore the need for larger prospective studies to validate these associations and further investigate the influence of metabolic and socioeconomic factors on ARLD progression in Albania. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Liver)

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19 pages, 1172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Colonic Dysbiosis Is Associated with Gastrointestinal Disorders More than Mother–Child Epidemiological Traits in Mexican Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

by Julián Herrera-Mejía, Abraham Wall-Medrano, Arnulfo Ramos-Jiménez, Aarón F. González-Córdova, Florinda Jiménez-Vega and Rocio Campos-Vega

Gastroenterol. Insights 2025, 16(2), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/gastroent16020015 - 17 Apr 2025

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Abstract

Introduction: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common comorbidities that affect the life quality of children with autism. Objective: This study investigated the link between clinical history and specific colonic fecal microbiota (CFM) markers with the pathophysiology of FGIDs in young children with autism patients. Methods: Thirty-nine young patients (2 and 18 years) were included in the study of FGIDs (+) cases (n = 18) and FGIDs (-) (n = 21) controls. Gastrointestinal disorders were diagnosed by standardized clinical tools (ROMA-IV and six-item gastrointestinal severity index), while bacterial markers, including Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinomycetes (Phyla); Lactobacillales, Clostridiales, Bifidobacteriales (Orders); B. fragilis, F. prausnitzii, B. longum, D. vulgaris and A. muciniphila (Species), were detected by targeting 16S rRNA and two-step PCR protocol. Results: The overall prevalence of FGIDs was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with cesarean delivery, the duration of milk formula consumption, and the presence of early intestinal symptoms during infancy. Furthermore, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillales, B. longum, D. vulgaris, and A. muciniphila concentrations were significantly (p ≤ 0.03) higher in stool of patients with moderate symptoms, compared to those who were asymptomatic. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the CFM composition is a potential physiological predictor of FGID pathophysiology in a severity-dependent way in children with autism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Gastrointestinal Disease)

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10 pages, 227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Right-Sided Dysplasia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Not Associated with Conventional Risk Factors for Neoplasia

by Sumona Bhattacharya, William Beaty, Adam S. Faye and Jordan E. Axelrad

Gastroenterol. Insights 2025, 16(2), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/gastroent16020014 - 7 Apr 2025

Viewed by 396

Abstract

Introduction: In the general population, right I-sided dysplasia presents a higher risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) and metachronous dysplasia compared to left (L)-sided dysplasia. Given that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at higher risk for dysplasia than the general population, we sought to assess the risk factors as well as the differences in outcomes between patients with R-sided, L-sided, and both R- and L-sided dysplasia. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients at NYU Langone Health who had evidence of dysplasia on a colonoscopy between 2011 and 2021. Demographics and pertinent medical history were compiled. Cohorts were based on the dysplasia location (R-sided, L-sided, or R- and L-sided) and the IBD-related outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 71 patients had colonic dysplasia. The mean age was 54 years old (SD ± 17). The majority were male (72%), white (69%), and non-Hispanic (94%). A total of 76% had ulcerative colitis (UC) and 24% had Crohn’s disease (CD). Of all dysplastic lesions, 57 (80%) patients had unifocal disease and the remainder had multifocal disease. A total of 39 (55%) patients had R-sided dysplasia, 24 (34%) had L-sided dysplasia, and 8 (11%) had both R- and L-sided dysplasia. Patients with UC were more likely to have L-sided dysplasia (92% vs. 8% in CD; p = 0.04). Pseudopolyps were more likely associated with R- and L-sided dysplasia (38% in R- and L-sided dysplasia, 10% in R-sided dysplasia, and 4% in L-sided dysplasia; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Patients with UC had a higher risk for L-sided colonic dysplasia compared to patients with CD; however, there were no differences in the progression of dysplasia between those who had R-sided and those who had L-sided dysplasia. Larger studies are needed to assess the risk factors and outcomes related to the laterality of dysplasia and further validate these findings among patients with IBD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Gastrointestinal Disease)

11 pages, 975 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Weekend Alcohol Consumption on Hepatic Antioxidant Enzyme Activity: Role of Concentration and Gender

by Elda Victoria Rodríguez-Negrete, Jazmín García-Machorro, Eduardo Osiris Madrigal-Santillán, Ángel Morales-González and José A. Morales-González

Gastroenterol. Insights 2025, 16(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/gastroent16020013 - 2 Apr 2025

Viewed by 304

Abstract

Background/Objectives: It is known that chronic alcohol consumption causes alterations to various organs of the body, mainly the liver, but there are no reports of the damage that weekend alcohol consumption can cause to the liver. The liver is the main organ responsible for metabolizing ethanol and therefore experiences the most significant adverse effects of this xenobiotic’s toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the effect of weekend alcohol consumption on the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes. Methods: Wistar rats weighing 170–200 g were divided into the following groups: (1) control group and (2) weekend alcohol consumption group, 2 days per week for 12 weeks at two different concentrations: (1) group of males and females consuming a 40% alcohol solution and (2) group of males and females consuming a 5% alcohol solution. At the end of the experiment, liver samples were obtained. The activity of the enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the levels of total antioxidant capacity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, were determined. Results: surprisingly, the results showed an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, as well as a decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Conclusions: weekend alcohol consumption for a period of 3 months led to an elevation in antioxidant enzyme activity, but it was not sufficient to prevent the damage caused to the liver by weekend alcohol consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Liver)

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19 pages, 2151 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Comparative Efficacy of Subcutaneous Compared to Intravenous Biologics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Nouran Alwisi, Rana Ismail, Hissa Al-Kuwari, Khalifa H. Al-Ansari, Mohammed A. Al-Matwi, Noor A. Aweer, Wejdan N. Al-Marri, Yousif Al-Kubaisi, Muneera Al-Mohannadi, Shahd Hamran, Habib H. Farooqui and Tawanda Chivese

Gastroenterol. Insights 2025, 16(2), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/gastroent16020012 - 21 Mar 2025

Viewed by 511

Abstract

Background and Aims: There is still uncertainty about the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous compared to intravenous administration of biologics for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remission. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Cochrane, PubMed, SCOPUS, CINHAL, and preprint archives for trials that compared the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous and intravenous biologics for the induction and maintenance of IBD remission. Meta-analysis was carried out with a subgroup analysis for Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), heterogeneity using I², and publication bias using funnel plots. Results: A total of 14 randomized controlled trials, 9 on CD, 4 on UC, and 1 with data on both were included Subcutaneous, compared to intravenous administration, was less efficacious for the induction of remission; overall (OR 0.68, 95%CI 0.35–1.31, I² = 83%), worse in UC (OR 0.35, 95%CI 0.07–1.79, I² = 91.2%), and showed similar efficacy in CD (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.73–1.30, I² = 0%). For the maintenance of remission, subcutaneous biologics were almost similar to intravenous biologics; overall (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.63–1.49, I² = 57.1%), with less efficacy in UC (OR 0.82, 95%CI 0.54–1.23, I² = 52%), but superior efficacy in CD (OR 1.81, 95%CI 1.09–3.01, I² = 0%). Subcutaneous, compared to intravenous biologics, showed slightly higher odds of treatment discontinuation (OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.02–1.71, I² = 14.2%), worse in UC (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.17–1.98, I² = 13%), and was similar to intravenous for CD (OR 1.03, 95%CI 0.65–1.62, I² = 0%). Conclusion: Subcutaneous administration has lower efficacy for the induction of remission but can achieve almost similar efficacy and safety in maintaining remission in IBD. Subcutaneous injection has better efficacy and safety in CD than in UC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Basic and Translational Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

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