Hepatic Urea Nitrogen Handling in Patients With NASH

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of the project is to investigate the metabolic regulation of the hepatic urea nitrogen handling and various cognitive functions measured by psychometric and neurophysiological tests before and after bariatric surgery in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Detailed Description
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NAFLD is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the western world affecting 10-30% of the general population. It is strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome caused by overweight and obesity. NAFLD is a spectrum of liver disease ranging from steatosis (hepatocytic fat accumulation occurs without hepatocellular injury), to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (steatosis is accompanied by inflammation and hepatocyte injury with or without fibrosis) and to cirrhosis in patients that are not consuming excessive alcohol. The prognosis of patients with simple steatosis appears benign whereas NASH often has a progressive course with increased liver-related morbidity and mortality. Patients with liver disease often have impairment of metabolic liver functions. The liver has numerous functions, which are essential for maintenance of life e.g. urea synthesis. This function is central in whole body nitrogen (N) homeostasis and removes ammonia, which is produced during N conversion and is extremely toxic especially for brain functions. Impairment of urea synthesis causes increased ammonia concentrations in the blood, which is taken up by the brain and contributes to development of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver disease. This condition is one of the most debilitating complications of liver disease as it affects cognitive functions and with increasing severity also behaviour and motor function. The mild stage (termed minimal hepatic encephalopathy) causes subtle cognitive dysfunction, which can only be detected by means of special tests. The more severe stages (manifest hepatic encephalopathy) are accompanied by manifest dysfunction of sleep pattern and orientation eventually leading to liver coma. The condition is reversible and no structural brain damage occurs. We seek to investigate the consequences of bariatric surgery on liver and brain function with a special focus on NASH patients. The investigations will comprise examination of the capacity for urea synthesis and various psychometric and neurophysiological tests to evaluate the patient's cognitive functions before and 18 months after surgery. A liver biopsy will be availed at the time of surgical intervention and genetic and functional characterization of urea cycle enzymes will be performed to correlate with histological scores, clinical disease staging and ammonia/capacity for urea synthesis. A further liver biopsy will be performed after 18 months to determine if there has been any change in NAFLD disease stage and urea cycle enzymes after intervention.

Official Title
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The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Hepatic Urea Nitrogen Handling and Cognitive Functions in Patients With Severe Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Conditions
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Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥ 18 years Referred for bariatric surgery (BMI > 40 kg/m2 or BMI > 35 kg/m2 and obesity-related complications Steatosis on ultrasound (US) Alcohol intake < 40g/day Exclusion of other liver diseases Exclusion Criteria: Chronic inflammatory diseases Acute severe bacterial infection (sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection etc.) Cancer Neurological diseases Prednisolone treatment within the last 8 weeks Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Functional Hepatic Nitrogen Clearance (FHNC) | FHNC is a validated method for assessing the conversion of amino-nitrogen to urea-nitrogen by the liver | Baseline and 18 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Urea cycle enzymes (protein and gene level) | Examined in liver biopsy | Baseline and 18 months | 
| Changes in The Portosystemic Encephalopathy Syndrome-Test | To evaluate changes in the patient's cognitive functions | Baseline and 18 months | 
| Changes in Continuous Reaction Time Test | To evaluate changes in the patient's cognitive functions | Baseline and 18 months | 
| Changes in Critical Flicker Frequency | To evaluate changes in the patient's cognitive functions | Baseline and 18 months | 
| Changes in EEG | To evaluate potential changes in the patient's EEG | Baseline and 18 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Urea synthesis, Ammonia, Bariatric surgery