The soybean lecithin–gallic acid complex ameliorates hepatic damage and iron-overload induced by alcohol and exerts hepatoprotective effects.

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Background and study aims: Glucocorticoid (GC) treatment for liver failure is controversial. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy and predictive factors of glucocorticoid therapy for hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV- ACLF). Patients and methods: A total of 302 patients with HBV- ACLF were enrolled and categorized by treatment modality (GC vs. Control). Baseline characteristics, liver function, disease complications, and mortality were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify predictive factors for HBV-ACLF-related mortality. Results: GC therapy significantly improved the 30- and 60-day mortality of HBV-ACLF patients (4.64% vs. 11.92%, P=0.022 and 16.56% vs. 25.83%, P=0.049 for the Control and GC groups, respectively) and GC was an independent prognostic factor for 30-day mortality (OR = 0.177, 95% CI 0.051-0.616, P = 0.007). However, enhanced survival was not associated with improved liver function. There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications (i.e., ascites, bacterial infection, encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, and gastrointestinal bleeding) between the GC and Control groups (P >0.05), except that fungal infection occurred with higher frequency in the GC group (P = 0.037). A significant improvement in the 30-day survival associated with GC therapy was observed among patients <40 years of age, a Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 25-35 or a CLIF- Consortium ACLF (CLIF-C ACLF) grade 0-1 (all P <0.05). Conclusions: GC therapy improved the short-term (30- and 60- day) mortality of patients with HBV-ACLF. This treatment may be of particular benefit to patients who are <40 years of age, have a MELD score of 25-35, or have a CLIF-C ACLF grade of 0-1. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2022, 85, 593-600).

Dexmedetomidine is a novel, highly selective α2 adrenoceptor agonist, whereas oxycodone serves as a μand k-amboceptor agonist. To analyze the effects of dexmedetomidine combined with oxycodone in locally anesthetized patients undergoing transforaminal endoscopic resection of nucleus pulposus. 112 patients were evenly randomized into oxycodone group (OG), dexmedetomidine group (DG), oxycodone-dexmedetomidine combination group (ODG), and control group (CG). No significant difference among the four groups in terms of baseline information, recovery time, or atropine was found (p > 0.05). The mean arterial pressures (MAPs) and heart rates (HRs) in ODG reduced from the injection point and were dramatically lower over those in CG, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores in ODG at 1, 2, and 6 h following surgery were lower over those in other groups (p < 0.05). The combination of dexmedetomidine with oxycodone in the local anesthesia during analgesia and sedation of patients undergoing transforaminal endoscopic resection of the nucleus pulposus manifested tangible effects. Specifically, such improved perioperative inflammatory responses and controlled cellular immunity without promoting the onset of adverse reactions.