Objective : To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate(DMF) on maternal intrahepatic cholestasis(ICP) during pregnancy induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) exposure and its mechanism. Methods : Thirty-two 8-week-old female institute of cancer research(ICR) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Ctrl group, DEHP group, DMF group and DEHP+DMF group. DEHP and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DEHP(200 mg/kg) by gavage every morning at 9:00 a.m. DMF and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DMF(150 mg/kg) from day 13 to day 16 of gestation by gavage. After completion of gavage on day 16 of pregnancy, maternal blood, maternal liver, placenta, and amniotic fluid were collected from pregnant mice after a six-hour abrosia. The body weight of the mother rats and the body weight of the fetus rats were sorted and analyzed; the levels of total bile acid(TBA), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase(AST/ALT) in serum and TBA in liver, amniotic fluid and placenta were detected by biochemical analyzer; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue; Quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) in the liver; Western blot was used to detect the expression of the nuclear factor KappaB(NF-κB) and NLRP3. Results : Compared with the control group, the body weight of the DEHP-treated dams and pups decreased(P<0.05); the levels of TBA, ALP, AST/ALT in the serum of dams and the levels of TBA in the liver, amniotic fluid, and placenta of dams increased(P<0.05); the histopathological results showed that liver tissue was damaged, bile ducts were deformed, and there was inflammatory cell infiltration around them; the levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NLRP3 transcription in maternal liver increased(P<0.05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly increased( P<0. 05). Compared with the DEHP group,the body weight of both dams and fetuses significantly increased in DEHP + DMF group( P<0. 05); the levels of TBA,ALP,AST/ALT in the serum of dams and amniotic fluid of fetuses decreased( P<0. 05); the degree of liver lesions was improved; the transcription levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1,IL-18 and NLRP3 in maternal liver decreased( P<0. 05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly decreased( P<0. 05). Conclusion DMF can effectively protect the DEHP exposure to lead to female ICP,and its mechanism may be through inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and reducing liver inflammation.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a well-accepted therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines integrating TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of AD, limiting the clinical application of such combined approaches. Therefore, the China Association of Chinese Medicine initiated the development of the current guideline, focusing on key issues related to the use of TCM in the treatment of AD. This guideline was developed in accordance with the principles of the guideline formulation manual published by the World Health Organization. A comprehensive review of the literature on the combined use of TCM and Western medicine to treat AD was conducted. The findings were extensively discussed by experts in dermatology and pharmacy with expertise in both TCM and Western medicine. This guideline comprises 23 recommendations across seven major areas, including TCM syndrome differentiation and classification of AD, principles and application scenarios of TCM combined with Western medicine for treating AD, outcome indicators for evaluating clinical efficacy of AD treatment, integration of TCM pattern classification and Western medicine across disease stages, daily management of AD, the use of internal TCM therapies and proprietary Chinese medicines, and TCM external treatments. Please cite this article as: Du XR, Wu MY, Tao MC, Lin Y, Gu CY, Wu MF, Cao Y, Chen DC, Li W, Wang HW, Wang Y, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Liu X, Su XF, Li FL. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis with integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):641-653.
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Integrative Medicine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Objective To investigate the protective effect of folic acid against cholestatic liver injury in mice induced by bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP)exposure and its mechanism.Methods ICR mice were randomly divided into control group,high-dose folic acid(H-FA)group,DEHP group,DEHP+low-dose folic acid(DEHP+L-FA)group,and DEHP+high-dose folic acid(DEHP+H-FA)group,with 6 mice in each group.The mice in the H-FA group,the DEHP+L-FA group,and the DEHP+H-FA group were given folic acid by gavage at the corresponding dose,and those in the control group and the DEHP group were given an equal volume of PBS solution by gavage.After 2 hours,the mice in the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group,and the DEHP+H-FA group were given corn oil containing 200 mg/kg DEHP,and those in the control group and the H-FA group were given an equal volume of pure corn oil,by gavage for 4 weeks.Body weight and food intake were recorded every day,and blood and liver tissue samples were collected.A biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of total bile acid(TBA)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP);HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of liver tissue;kits were used to measure the content of malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in the liver;LC-MS/MS was used to measure serum bile acid profiles;Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of proteins associated with hepatic bile acid metabolism.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups.Results Compared with the control group,the daily food intake of the mice in the DEHP group decreased significantly,and the body weight decreased significantly from day 10(P＜0.05),and compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had basically unchanged body weight and daily food intake(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in liver weight index and the serum levels of TBA and ALP(all P＜0.05),with enlarged portal area,bile duct deformity and hyperplasia,and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue;compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had a significant reduction in liver weight index(P＜0.01),and the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the serum levels of TBA and ALP(P＜0.05),with a significant improvement in liver histomorphology and structure after folic acid intervention.Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had a significant reduction in the content of SOD(P＜0.05)and a significant increase in the content of MDA in the liver(P＜0.01),and compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the content of MDA and SOD(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in the serum levels of α-muricholic acid(α-MCA),β-muricholic acid(β-MCA),deoxycholic acid(DCA),lithocholic acid(LCA),taurocholic acid(TCA),taurodeoxycholic acid(TDCA),tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA),tauro-β-muricholic acid(T-β-MCA),tauro-α-muricholic acid(T-α-MCA),taurohyodeoxycholic acid(THDCA),and taurolithocholic acid(TLCA)(P＜0.05)and a significant reduction in ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)(P＜0.05);compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the serum levels of DCA,LCA,TCA,TDCA,TUDCA,T-β-MCA,T-α-MCA,THDCA,and TLCA(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of FXR and CYP3A11 in the liver(P＜0.01)and significant reductions in the protein expression levels of CYP7A1 and MRP2(P＜0.01);compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of FXR and CYP3A11 in the liver(P＜0.05)and a significant increase in the protein expression level of MRP2(P＜0.05),and the DEHP+H-FA group had a significant increase in the protein expression level of CYP7A1(P＜0.05).Conclusion Folic acid has a protective effect against cholestatic liver injury in mice induced by DEHP exposure,possibly by regulating bile acid synthesis,catabolism,and transport and maintaining bile acid homeostasis.

Objective:To evaluate the 1-year postoperative efficacy and nutritional indicators of single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) in obese patients.Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥40.0 kg/m 2 regardless of other related metabolic diseases and patients with severe type 2 diabetes and a BMI between 27.5 and 40.0 kg/m 2. The clinical data of 66 obese patients who underwent SADI-S at the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Department of China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from November 2018 to May 2022 were collected, including 53 cases of da Vinci robotic surgery and 13 cases of laparoscopic surgery. The patients comprised 38 men and 28 women with a median age of 35 (18–61) years and a mean preoperative BMI of 42.93 ± 6.82 kg/m 2. A total of 38 patients had type 2 diabetes, and 46 had hyperuricemia, 45 had hypertension, 35 had hyperlipidemia, 12 had hypercholesterolemia, and 12 had a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level. The main observation indicators were (1) intraoperative and postoperative conditions; (2) weight loss outcomes, including body weight, BMI, excess body weight loss (%EWL), and total body weight loss (%TWL) at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery; (3) effects of treatment on metabolic disease; and (4) changes in nutrient indicators. Results:(1) Intraoperative and postoperative conditions: All patients successfully underwent SADI-S with neither conversion to laparotomy nor death. Four (6.1%) patients developed postoperative complications, and all of them recovered and were discharged after conservative or surgical treatment. (2) Weight loss outcomes: %EWL at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery was 62.07 ± 26.56, 85.93 ± 27.92, and 106.65 ± 29.65, respectively, and %TWL was 22.67 ± 4.94, 32.10 ± 5.18, and 40.56 ± 7.89, respectively. Body weight and BMI 3 to 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery (all P < 0.001). (3) Effect of treatment on metabolic disease: 3 to 12 months after surgery, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, uric acid, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and other indicators were significantly lower than those before surgery (all P < 0.05). Twelve months after surgery, the remission rates of diabetes, hyperuricemia, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and high LDL were 100% (38/38), 65.2% (30/46), 62.2% (28/45), 94.3% (33/35), 100% (12/12), and 100% (12/12), respectively. (4) Changes in nutrient indicators: Compared with the preoperative nutrient levels, the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were lower at 3 to 12 months after surgery, the total protein level was lower at 6 to 12 months after surgery, the albumin level was lower at 6 months after surgery, and the ferritin level was lower at 3 months after surgery. The differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The incidence of anemia was 6.1% (4/66), hypoalbuminemia was 4.5% (3/66), and ferritin deficiency was 4.5% (3/66), all of which were improved or normalized through conservative treatment. Twelve months after surgery, 30 (45.5%) patients had vitamin A deficiency, 17 (25.8%) had vitamin E deficiency, 11 (16.7%) had folic acid deficiency, 2 had potassium deficiency (3.0%), 3 (4.5%) had calcium deficiency, 2 (3.0%) had magnesium deficiency, 9 (13.6%) had iron deficiency, and 16 (24.2%) had zinc deficiency. However, no relevant clinical symptoms occurred. Conclusions:SADI-S has a very significant effect on weight loss and alleviation of metabolic diseases. Nutrient deficiencies after SADI-S mainly involve vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and folic acid. The long-term efficacy and safety of SADI-S still need further follow-up observation.

Objective:To evaluate the mid-term efficacy of single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:The cohort of this retrospective observational study comprised 118 obese patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m 2 with or without other related metabolic diseases and BMI of (27.5-40.0) kg/m 2 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had been treated with SADI-S. Patients who had undergone modified surgery or been followed up for less than 1 year were excluded. Clinical data of the included patients [56 men and 62 women aged (34.5±9.7) years], who had undergone SADI-S in China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University from October 2018 to August 2022, were collected. Their mean preoperative body mass was (125.9±25.0) kg and BMI (42.8±6.8) kg/m 2. The 60 patients with T2DM had a mean fasting blood glucose of (9.9±3.2) mmol/L and HBA1c of (8.4±1.7) % before surgery. The main outcome measures were mid-term weight loss after surgery (body mass, BMI, excess weight loss, and total weight loss) 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after surgery and efficacy regarding diabetes mellitus (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and diabetes remission rate at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery). Outcomes were defined as follows. Complete remission: HbA1c <6% or fasting blood glucose <6 mmol/L without hypoglycemic medication; partial remission: HBA1c <6.5% or fasting blood glucose <7 mmol/L without hypoglycemic medication; significant improvement: HBA1c <7.0%, stable decrease of at least 1% compared with preoperative HBA1c, and postoperative dose of hypoglycemic medication significantly less; ineffective: no change in HBA1c and no reduction in dosage of hypoglycemic medication. Other outcome measures included intraoperative and postoperative adverse effects and postoperative nutritional indexes. Results:SADI-S was successful in all patients. There was no significant bleeding, conversion to open surgery, or perioperative death. The operation time was (186.1±41.5) minutes, and the postoperative hospital stay 6 (5–7) days. Surgical complications occurred in four patients, comprising peritoneal effusion, internal jugular vein thrombosis, anastomotic leakage, and gastric fistula. Body weight and BMI 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were significantly lower post- than pre-operatively (all P<0.05). Excess weight loss was (81.9±16.2) %, (82.2±15.5) %, (88.3±20.1) %, and (83.2±18.1) % at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years postoperatively, respectively. Total weight loss was (39.7±8.7) %, (40.6±10.6) %, (42.2±11.5) % and (45.4±10.2) %, respectively. The mean fasting blood glucose concentrations of the 60 patients with T2DM were (5.1±1.0) mmol/L, (5.0±0.7) mmol/L, and (5.4±0.9) mmol/L 1, 2 and 3 years postoperatively, respectively. The values for glycosylated hemoglobin were (4.9±0.6) %, (4.8±0.5) %, and (5.1±0.8) %, respectively, all of which are significantly lower than preoperatively (all P<0.05). The complete remission rate of diabetes was 95.0% (38/40), 90.0% (36/40), and 9/13 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively, respectively. Additionally, the partial remission rate and significant improvement rate were both 100%. Two years postoperatively, the incidence of anemia was 27.8% (10/36), of hypoproteinemia 11.8% (4/34), and of ferritin deficiency 25.8% (8/31), all of which were improved by conservative treatment such as blood transfusion, iron supplementation, and adjustment of diet. Conclusion:SADI-S has a significant mid-term beneficial effect on weight loss and diabetes remission status in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Objective:To evaluate the 1-year postoperative efficacy and nutritional indicators of single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) in obese patients.Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥40.0 kg/m 2 regardless of other related metabolic diseases and patients with severe type 2 diabetes and a BMI between 27.5 and 40.0 kg/m 2. The clinical data of 66 obese patients who underwent SADI-S at the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Department of China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from November 2018 to May 2022 were collected, including 53 cases of da Vinci robotic surgery and 13 cases of laparoscopic surgery. The patients comprised 38 men and 28 women with a median age of 35 (18–61) years and a mean preoperative BMI of 42.93 ± 6.82 kg/m 2. A total of 38 patients had type 2 diabetes, and 46 had hyperuricemia, 45 had hypertension, 35 had hyperlipidemia, 12 had hypercholesterolemia, and 12 had a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level. The main observation indicators were (1) intraoperative and postoperative conditions; (2) weight loss outcomes, including body weight, BMI, excess body weight loss (%EWL), and total body weight loss (%TWL) at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery; (3) effects of treatment on metabolic disease; and (4) changes in nutrient indicators. Results:(1) Intraoperative and postoperative conditions: All patients successfully underwent SADI-S with neither conversion to laparotomy nor death. Four (6.1%) patients developed postoperative complications, and all of them recovered and were discharged after conservative or surgical treatment. (2) Weight loss outcomes: %EWL at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery was 62.07 ± 26.56, 85.93 ± 27.92, and 106.65 ± 29.65, respectively, and %TWL was 22.67 ± 4.94, 32.10 ± 5.18, and 40.56 ± 7.89, respectively. Body weight and BMI 3 to 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery (all P < 0.001). (3) Effect of treatment on metabolic disease: 3 to 12 months after surgery, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, uric acid, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and other indicators were significantly lower than those before surgery (all P < 0.05). Twelve months after surgery, the remission rates of diabetes, hyperuricemia, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and high LDL were 100% (38/38), 65.2% (30/46), 62.2% (28/45), 94.3% (33/35), 100% (12/12), and 100% (12/12), respectively. (4) Changes in nutrient indicators: Compared with the preoperative nutrient levels, the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were lower at 3 to 12 months after surgery, the total protein level was lower at 6 to 12 months after surgery, the albumin level was lower at 6 months after surgery, and the ferritin level was lower at 3 months after surgery. The differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The incidence of anemia was 6.1% (4/66), hypoalbuminemia was 4.5% (3/66), and ferritin deficiency was 4.5% (3/66), all of which were improved or normalized through conservative treatment. Twelve months after surgery, 30 (45.5%) patients had vitamin A deficiency, 17 (25.8%) had vitamin E deficiency, 11 (16.7%) had folic acid deficiency, 2 had potassium deficiency (3.0%), 3 (4.5%) had calcium deficiency, 2 (3.0%) had magnesium deficiency, 9 (13.6%) had iron deficiency, and 16 (24.2%) had zinc deficiency. However, no relevant clinical symptoms occurred. Conclusions:SADI-S has a very significant effect on weight loss and alleviation of metabolic diseases. Nutrient deficiencies after SADI-S mainly involve vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and folic acid. The long-term efficacy and safety of SADI-S still need further follow-up observation.

Objective:To evaluate the mid-term efficacy of single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:The cohort of this retrospective observational study comprised 118 obese patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m 2 with or without other related metabolic diseases and BMI of (27.5-40.0) kg/m 2 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had been treated with SADI-S. Patients who had undergone modified surgery or been followed up for less than 1 year were excluded. Clinical data of the included patients [56 men and 62 women aged (34.5±9.7) years], who had undergone SADI-S in China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University from October 2018 to August 2022, were collected. Their mean preoperative body mass was (125.9±25.0) kg and BMI (42.8±6.8) kg/m 2. The 60 patients with T2DM had a mean fasting blood glucose of (9.9±3.2) mmol/L and HBA1c of (8.4±1.7) % before surgery. The main outcome measures were mid-term weight loss after surgery (body mass, BMI, excess weight loss, and total weight loss) 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after surgery and efficacy regarding diabetes mellitus (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and diabetes remission rate at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery). Outcomes were defined as follows. Complete remission: HbA1c <6% or fasting blood glucose <6 mmol/L without hypoglycemic medication; partial remission: HBA1c <6.5% or fasting blood glucose <7 mmol/L without hypoglycemic medication; significant improvement: HBA1c <7.0%, stable decrease of at least 1% compared with preoperative HBA1c, and postoperative dose of hypoglycemic medication significantly less; ineffective: no change in HBA1c and no reduction in dosage of hypoglycemic medication. Other outcome measures included intraoperative and postoperative adverse effects and postoperative nutritional indexes. Results:SADI-S was successful in all patients. There was no significant bleeding, conversion to open surgery, or perioperative death. The operation time was (186.1±41.5) minutes, and the postoperative hospital stay 6 (5–7) days. Surgical complications occurred in four patients, comprising peritoneal effusion, internal jugular vein thrombosis, anastomotic leakage, and gastric fistula. Body weight and BMI 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were significantly lower post- than pre-operatively (all P<0.05). Excess weight loss was (81.9±16.2) %, (82.2±15.5) %, (88.3±20.1) %, and (83.2±18.1) % at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years postoperatively, respectively. Total weight loss was (39.7±8.7) %, (40.6±10.6) %, (42.2±11.5) % and (45.4±10.2) %, respectively. The mean fasting blood glucose concentrations of the 60 patients with T2DM were (5.1±1.0) mmol/L, (5.0±0.7) mmol/L, and (5.4±0.9) mmol/L 1, 2 and 3 years postoperatively, respectively. The values for glycosylated hemoglobin were (4.9±0.6) %, (4.8±0.5) %, and (5.1±0.8) %, respectively, all of which are significantly lower than preoperatively (all P<0.05). The complete remission rate of diabetes was 95.0% (38/40), 90.0% (36/40), and 9/13 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively, respectively. Additionally, the partial remission rate and significant improvement rate were both 100%. Two years postoperatively, the incidence of anemia was 27.8% (10/36), of hypoproteinemia 11.8% (4/34), and of ferritin deficiency 25.8% (8/31), all of which were improved by conservative treatment such as blood transfusion, iron supplementation, and adjustment of diet. Conclusion:SADI-S has a significant mid-term beneficial effect on weight loss and diabetes remission status in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Background/Aims: Despite the high efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), approximately 1–3% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients fail to achieve a sustained virological response. We conducted a nationwide study to investigate risk factors associated with DAA treatment failure. Machine-learning algorithms have been applied to discriminate subjects who may fail to respond to DAA therapy. Methods: We analyzed the Taiwan HCV Registry Program database to explore predictors of DAA failure in HCV patients. Fifty-five host and virological features were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and artificial neural network. The primary outcome was undetectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: The training (n=23,955) and validation (n=10,346) datasets had similar baseline demographics, with an overall DAA failure rate of 1.6% (n=538). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, poor DAA adherence, and higher hemoglobin A1c were significantly associated with virological failure. XGBoost outperformed the other algorithms and logistic regression models, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1.000 in the training dataset and 0.803 in the validation dataset. The top five predictors of treatment failure were HCV RNA, body mass index, α-fetoprotein, platelets, and FIB-4 index. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the XGBoost model (cutoff value=0.5) were 99.5%, 69.7%, 99.9%, 97.4%, and 99.5%, respectively, for the entire dataset. Conclusions Machine learning algorithms effectively provide risk stratification for DAA failure and additional information on the factors associated with DAA failure.

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who failed antiviral therapy are at increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the potential role of metformin and statins, medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperlipidemia (HLP), in reducing HCC risk among these patients. Methods: We included CHC patients from the T-COACH study who failed antiviral therapy. We tracked the onset of HCC 1.5 years post-therapy by linking to Taiwan’s cancer registry data from 2003 to 2019. We accounted for death and liver transplantation as competing risks and employed Gray’s cumulative incidence and Cox subdistribution hazards models to analyze HCC development. Results: Out of 2,779 patients, 480 (17.3%) developed HCC post-therapy. DM patients not using metformin had a 51% increased risk of HCC compared to non-DM patients, while HLP patients on statins had a 50% reduced risk compared to those without HLP. The 5-year HCC incidence was significantly higher for metformin non-users (16.5%) versus non-DM patients (11.3%; adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio [aSHR]=1.51; P=0.007) and metformin users (3.1%; aSHR=1.59; P=0.022). Statin use in HLP patients correlated with a lower HCC risk (3.8%) compared to non-HLP patients (12.5%; aSHR=0.50; P<0.001). Notably, the increased HCC risk associated with non-use of metformin was primarily seen in non-cirrhotic patients, whereas statins decreased HCC risk in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Conclusions Metformin and statins may have a chemopreventive effect against HCC in CHC patients who failed antiviral therapy. These results support the need for personalized preventive strategies in managing HCC risk.

With the increasing number of obese patients worldwide, metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has quickly become an effective way to treat obesity and related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid abnormalities, etc. Although MBS has become an important part of general surgery, there is still controversy regarding the indications for MBS. In 1991, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a statement on the surgical treatment of severe obesity and other related issues, which continues to be the standard for insurance companies, health care systems, and hospital selection of patients. The standard no longer reflects the best practice data and lacks relevance to today's modern surgeries and patient populations. After 31 years, in October 2022, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), the world's leading authorities on weight loss and metabolic surgery, jointly released new guidelines for MBS indications, based on increasing awareness of obesity and its comorbidities and the accumulation of evidence of obesity metabolic diseases. In a series of recommendations, the eligibility of patients for bariatric surgery has been expanded. Specific key updates include the following: (1) MBS is recommended for individuals with BMI≥35 kg/m², regardless of the presence, absence, or severity of co-morbidities; (2) MBS should be considered for individuals with metabolic diseases and BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m²; (3) the BMI threshold should be adjusted for the Asian population:: BMI≥25 kg/m² suggest clinical obesity, and BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m² population should consider MBS; (4) Appropriately selected children and adolescents should be considered for MBS.
Adolescent ; Child ; Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/surgery* ; Bariatric Surgery ; Obesity/surgery* ; Obesity, Morbid/surgery* ; Weight Loss