In this issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Abbott-Johnson and colleagues describe the results of their investigation of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies in cirrhotic patients being assessed for liver transplantation.20 They identified that fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, particularly of vitamins A and D, is common in patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting liver transplantation, independent of the cause of liver disease. Vitamin D deficiency might have many consequences in patients with liver disease. As Abbott-Johnson Selumetinib cost et al. point out, it is strongly linked to osteoporotic fractures,

osteomalacia, and decreased muscle strength, but recent reports also implicate vitamin D deficiency in the progression of and response to antiviral therapy of hepatitis

C-associated liver disease21 Gemcitabine and in carcinogenesis.22 Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to the progression of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance, all of which are common in patients with chronic liver disease and after liver transplantation.23 Identification and correction of vitamin D deficiency is therefore essential in patients with cirrhosis. As the authors have previously noted, vitamin A deficiency is also extremely common, and correction is recommended, particularly in those with impaired SB-3CT dark adaptation or night blindness.24 In conclusion, nutritional assessment and support is a critical part of the management of patients with end-stage liver disease. Identification of the increasing energy, protein, and vitamin requirements of cirrhotic patients and early intervention might prevent the severe cachexia and its associated complications that unfortunately remain common in these patients. “
“Background and Aims:  The role of glypican-3 (GPC3), a novel serum marker, in differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from non-malignant chronic liver disease and other malignant space-occupying lesions in the

liver is largely unknown. The aims of this study were to evaluate its diagnostic role and clinical correlations in patients with HCC. Methods:  Six groups were studied which included 40 healthy subjects, 50 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 50 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), 100 patients with HCC, 50 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and 50 patients with metastatic carcinoma (MCA). Serum GPC3 levels were measured by using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results:  Fifty-three percent of HCC patients had elevated serum GPC3 levels with values ranging 35.5–7826.6 ng/mL. The serum marker was undetectable in other groups except one patient (2%) with LC and another patient (2%) with MCA. In most cases of HCC, elevated GPC3 values did not correlate with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels.