Mariko Maxwell, Yanhong Deng, Bonnie Chen, Marina G. Silveira, James L. Boyer, David N. Assis
Nearly 40% of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) have an incomplete response to first-line ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) agonist, is an effective second-line treatment for PBC. Compared to the recently FDA-approved PPAR agonists, fenofibrate may provide a more cost-effective and accessible alternative. However, longitudinal data on fenofibrate use in PBC are lacking. Here, we review our experience using fenofibrate in PBC and its long-term effects on cholestatic biomarkers, prognostic scores, and fibrosis indices.
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I read with great interest the study by Utakata et al. [1], which identified amino acid imbalance, specifically decreased branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and increased tyrosine levels, as independent prognostic factors for mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. While the study provides valuable insights into metabolic derangements in liver disease, I have two major concerns regarding the validity of the independence of these factors and the interpretation of the results.