Vitamin D Supplementation Is Associated with Inflammation Amelioration and Cognitive Improvement in Decompensated Patients with Cirrhosis

Background/Objectives: Decompensated cirrhosis is characterized by systemic inflammation and innate and adaptive immune dysfunction. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a prevalent and debilitating condition characterized by cognitive disturbances in which ammonia and inflammation play a synergistic path...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Diaz-Ruiz, R, Poca, M, Roman, E, Panadero-Gomez, R, Cuyàs, B, Bañares, I, Morales, A, Puerto, M, Lopez-Esteban, R, Blazquez, E, Fernández-Castillo, M, Correa-Rocha, R, Rapado-Castro, M, Breton, I, Bañares, R, Soriano, G, Garcia-Martinez, R
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau)
Repositorio:r-IIB SANT PAU. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Sant Pau
OAI Identifier:oai:iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com:p19149
Acceso en línea:https://iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=19149
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:vitamin D
cognitive function
liver cirrhosis
inflammation
human
Descripción
Sumario:Background/Objectives: Decompensated cirrhosis is characterized by systemic inflammation and innate and adaptive immune dysfunction. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a prevalent and debilitating condition characterized by cognitive disturbances in which ammonia and inflammation play a synergistic pathogenic role. Extraskeletal functions of vitamin D include immunomodulation, and its deficiency has been implicated in immune dysfunction and different forms of cognitive impairment. The aim was to assess changes in cognitive function and inflammation in decompensated patients with cirrhosis receiving vitamin D supplementation. Methods: Patients with cirrhosis discharged from decompensation in two tertiary hospitals in Spain (from September 2017 to January 2020) were assessed before, at 6 and 12 months after vitamin D supplementation. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery and neuroinflammatory markers were examined. In a subgroup of patients, peripheral immune blood cells were analyzed. Results: Thirty-nine patients were recruited. Of those, 27 completed the 6 months evaluation and were analyzed [age 62.4 +/- 11.3 years; 22 men; Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 11.7 +/- 4.0; prior overt HE 33%; median 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) plasma level 12.7 mu gr/L] and 22 achieved 12 months assessment. At baseline, learning and memory (R = 0.382; p = 0.049) and working memory (R = 0.503; p = 0.047) subtests correlated with plasma 25OHD levels. In addition, processing speed (R = -0.42; p = 0.04), attention (R = -0.48; p = 0.04), Tinnetti balance (R = -0.656; p < 0.001) and Tinnetti score (R = -0.659; p < 0.001) were linked to neuroinflammation marker IL-1 beta. Patients with lower 25OHD had a greater proportion of TH1cells at baseline and a larger amelioration of IL-1 beta and IL-6 following supplementation. An improvement in working memory was found after 25OHD replacement (46.7 +/- 13 to 50 +/- 11; p = 0.047). Conclusions: This study supports that vitamin D supplementation modulates low-grade inflammation in decompensated cirrhosis providing cognitive benefits, particularly in working memory.