Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) is characterised by hepatic fibrosis and (sinusoidal) basement membrane development contributing to portal hypertension (PH) and clinical complications. METHODS Patients with stable ACLD (n = 232) undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement were included. Blood biomarkers reflecting fibrosis formation (PRO-C3, PRO-C6, PRO-C4 and PRO-C18L) […]

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Abstract BACKGROUND Non-invasive tests (NITs) are central to diagnosing and stratifying risk in steatotic liver disease (SLD). However, it remains unclear whether guideline-recommended NIT cut-offs apply to metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD). AIM Evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic performance of five NITs in patients with MetALD. METHODS Single-centre study with 423 SLD patients, of […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive bile duct disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease (PSC-IBD). AIM To investigate whether patients with PSC-IBD benefit from a gluten-free and amylase trypsin inhibitor (ATI)-free diet (GFD). METHODS We performed a prospective clinical pilot study administering an eight-week GFD. The primary outcomes were colonic inflammation assessed […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Increased collagen remodelling is a key pathophysiological component underlying intestinal stricture and fistula development in Crohn’s disease (CD). AIMS To investigate associations between serological biomarkers of collagen turnover and disease behaviour according to the Montreal classification in patients with CD. METHODS Serological biomarkers of type III/IV collagen formation (PRO-C3, PRO-C4) and matrix metalloproteinase […]

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Abstract BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis accumulation is considered a turnover disease, with formation exceeding degradation, although this hypothesis has never been tested in humans. AIMS To investigate extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling in a biopsy-controlled study of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) patients. METHODS We evaluated the relationship between formation and degradation of four collagens as a function […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Alcohol is a main cause of preventable deaths and frequently leads to the development of alcohol-related liver disease. Due to the lack of diagnostics, patients are commonly diagnosed after developing clinical manifestations. Recently, the biomarker PRO-C3 was shown to accurately identify fibrosis due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. AIM To assess the diagnostic […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Patients with liver fibrosis show a large heterogeneity, and for that reason effective treatments are still lacking. Emerging data suggest that there is more to fibrosis than previously understood. Opposed to earlier belief of being a passive scaffold for cells to reside in, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is now known to hold both […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstone of treatment in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, they requently fail related to the inability of patients to implement lasting changes. AIMS To evaluate the effects of a short, web-based, individualised exercise program on non-invasive markers of hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. METHODS Patients with histologically confirmed […]