[Gut-liver axis in inflammatory bowel disease. A retrospective study]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The gut-liver axis is crucial, with liver enzyme elevations common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Routine liver function tests may underestimate liver damage in IBD patients.
• Non-invasive biomarkers are needed for diagnosing liver damage associated with intestinal diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the significance of the gut-liver axis.
• To investigate the pathogenesis of hepatobiliary manifestations in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 100 UC patients and 42 healthy controls.
• Assessed liver function tests, bile acid levels, and various free radical markers (global and enzymatic).
• Measured hydrogen donor activity, reducing power, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant status, and induced chemiluminescence.

Main Results:

• UC patients showed increased liver function parameters and total antioxidant status.
• Significantly decreased reducing power and a tendentious decrease in glutathione peroxidase and H-donor activity were observed.
• Over 54% of UC patients had significantly lower antioxidant protection; therapy improved free radical scavenging capacity but increased superoxide dismutase activity.
• Decreased bile acid levels in UC patients may be due to accelerated peristalsis.

Conclusions:

• Liver enzyme values in routine practice do not accurately represent liver damage in ulcerative colitis.
• Specific parameters can help estimate gut-liver axis alterations.
• Decreased bile acid levels may predict ulcerative colitis.
• Non-invasive screening for liver diseases in IBD is essential.