Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Betaine, 20 g/day for 12 months, reduced liver injury in several trials in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Our aim was to determine the safety and efficacy of lower doses of betaine in clinically diagnosed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and an elevated ALT. APPROACH AND RESULTS We performed 3 pilot trials in […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of neoepitopes from type I and II collagen with knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression phenotypes using data from the OA-FNIH biomarker consortium, with comparison to associations of the other biomarkers assessed in this sample during the consortium’s phase 1 analysis. DESIGN Serum (s) and urinary (u) neoepitopes of type I […]

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS Healing after total hip arthroplasty (THA) involves remodelling of collagenous tissues, such as bone. While collagen protein supplementation has been suggested to modulate bone metabolism, the effects following THA are yet to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to characterize changes in biomarkers of bone metabolism following THA and to assess the […]

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by fibrosis. Alport syndrome, a common monogenic form of CKD caused by collagen type IV variants, leads to basement membrane defects and progressive fibrosis. Understanding extracellular matrix dynamics is crucial for identifying disease-specific biomarkers and optimizing therapeutic timing. We applied a discovery approach combining stable C-lysine metabolic labeling […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection remains a global health burden, contributing to the risk of long-term complications such as progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in undiagnosed or untreated individuals. Novel biomarkers for the assessment of disease progression and prognosis are required for fibroinflammatory chronic liver disease. Our study population from the […]

Abstract RATIONALE Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cystic lung disease driven by nodules containing “LAM cells” and recruited LAM-associated fibroblasts. Although rapamycin reduces lung function loss, some patients continue to decline, meaning additional therapies are needed. OBJECTIVES To investigate how the LAM nodule environment affects LAM cell proliferation and the response to rapamycin. METHODS Proteins […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by an increase in proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases that degrade the extracellular matrix and markers of localized inflammation. Protein fragments (neoepitopes) are detectable in the circulation. RESEARCH QUESTION Can short-term trajectories of neoepitopes after initiation of antifibrotic treatment predict therapy-related outcomes, including mortality, in patients with […]

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS Alcohol is a key driver of liver-related mortality, and phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct biomarker of alcohol intake. We investigated the prognostic performance of PEth with noninvasive liver fibrosis tests (NITs) for predicting hepatic decompensation in an alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) at-risk population. METHODS Prospective cohort study with 411 at risk […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Noninvasive fibrosis testing is crucial for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) management. This study evaluated a marker of activated mesenchymal fibrogenic cells, circulating fibroblast activation protein (cFAP), in a novel diagnostic algorithm, FAP Index, for patients with MASLD. METHODS Two retrospective cohorts recruited from tertiary hepatology clinics were studied as training (n = 160) […]

Abstract UNLABELLED In this meta-analysis of international cohorts, current smoking is confirmed as a significant BMD-independent predictor of future fracture with a stronger relationship in men than in women. A causative and reversible effect of smoking on fracture risk is suggested by past smoking having a significantly lower risk than current smoking. PURPOSE In this […]