[Chronic liver disease increases with damage to intestinal barrier function].

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Hepatology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Chronic liver disease (CLD) encompasses a range of conditions affecting liver health.
• Intestinal barrier function plays a crucial role in maintaining gut homeostasis.
• The relationship between CLD and intestinal barrier integrity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between chronic liver disease and intestinal barrier function.
• To assess the prevalence of intestinal barrier dysfunction in patients with CLD.
• To identify specific liver function indicators associated with impaired intestinal barrier.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 1,491 hospitalized patients, including 741 with CLD and 750 controls, were analyzed.
• Intestinal barrier function markers (diamine oxidase, D-lactate, lipopolysaccharide) and liver function tests were measured.
• Statistical analyses included t-test, ANOVA, chi-squared test, Pearson's correlation, and logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Intestinal barrier dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in the CLD group (54.15%) compared to controls (18.53%).
• Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and total bilirubin levels correlated with intestinal barrier dysfunction.
• GGT levels showed a significant association with increased diamine oxidase, D-lactate, and lipopolysaccharide.

Conclusions:

• Chronic liver disease is associated with a significant increase in intestinal barrier dysfunction.
• Liver function enzyme levels are susceptible to damage from impaired intestinal barrier function.
• Findings underscore the importance of gut health in the context of liver disease management.