Recent research has suggested a role for the intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis and potential treatment of a wide range of liver diseases. The intestinal microbiota and bacterial products may contribute to the development of liver diseases through multiple mechanisms including increased intestinal permeability, chronic systemic inflammation, production of short-chain fatty acids and changes in metabolism. This suggests a potential role for pre-, pro-and synbiotic products in the prevention or treatment of some liver diseases. In addition, there is emerging evidence on the effects of faecal microbial transplant. Herein, we discuss the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and liver diseases, as well as reviewing intestinal microbiota-based treatment options that are currently being investigated.

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Introduction Severe gastrointestinal dysmotility disorder (GID) constitute approximately 20% of patients requiring home parenteral nutrition (HPN), whereas short‐bowel syndrome (SBS) remains the most frequent indication for HPN. This study's aim was to characterize GID patients and compare clinical parameters and survival to SBS patients. Similarly, clinical comparisons between sclerodermaand nonscleroderma patients were made. Methods Demographic and clinical data for all patients was extracted from the Canadian HPN Registry from January 1, 2003, to November 1, 2018. Kaplan‐Meier method was used to estimate the unadjusted survival probability, and log‐rank test was used to compare the survival probability between groups. Result 270 patients (52 GID and 218 SBS) were included in the analysis. For all patients, higher mortality was associated with age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02 [1.00–1.04]; P = .05), PN dependence (HR, 1.01 [1.00–1.02]; P = .04), hospitalizations (HR, 1.21 [1.10–1.33]; P < .001), and use of immunosuppressant (HR, 1.97 [1.02–3.82]; P = .04). The 5‐ and 10‐year actuarial survival probabilities between GID and SBS were not significantly different (5‐year: 70.0% vs 59.2%; 10‐year: 79.6% vs 66.2% [P = .5], respectively). There was no difference in survival between scleroderma and nonscleroderma patients (P = .67). Conclusion T5‐ and 10‐ year survival probabilities were similar between GID and SBS patients. The diagnosis of scleroderma had no effect on survival. Use of immunosuppressant, older age, PN dependence, and number of hospitalizations per PN duration are risk factors for mortality in both the GID and SBS groups.

Hospital malnutrition is a longstanding problem that continues to be underrecognized and undertreated. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize novel, solution-focused, recent research or commentary to update providers on the prevention of iatrogenic malnutrition as well as the detection and treatment of hospital malnutrition. A narrative review was completed using the top 11 clinically relevant nutrition journals. Of the 13,850 articles and editorials published in these journals between 2013 and 2019, 511 were related to hospital malnutrition. A duplicate review was used to select (n = 108) and extract key findings from articles and editorials. Key criteria for selection were population of interest (adult hospital patients, no specific diagnostic group), solutionfocused, and novel perspectives. Articles were categorized (6 classified in >1 category) as Screening and Assessment (n = 17), Standard (n = 25), Advanced (n = 12) and Specialized Nutrition Care (n = 8), Transitions (n = 15), Multicomponent (n = 21), Education and Empowerment (n = 9), Economic Impact (n = 3), and Guidelines (n = 4) for summarizing. Research advances in screening implementation, standard nutrition care, transitions, and multicomponent interventions provide new strategies to consider for malnutrition prevention (iatrogenic), detection, and care. However, several areas requiring further research were identified. Specifically, larger and more rigorous studies that examine health outcomes and economic analyses are urgently needed.

Background Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) can be associated with increased liver enzymes, catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), and hospitalizations. Mixed oil (MO) versus soybean oil (SO) lipid emulsion reduces risks in hospitalized patients, but there are no randomized double-blinded controlled trials in HPN. Therefore, the primary objective was to test the study’s feasibility such as recruitment and retention in the HPN population and the secondary objective was to assess changes in liver enzymes between MO and SO as well as other clinical and biochemical outcomes. Methods This 13-month prospective double-blind crossover randomized pilot trial took place in Toronto, Canada. Participants were HPN patients who were a part of the HPN program at Toronto General Hospital. We recruited patients from the HPN program. HPN patients receiving SO were randomized to either MO or SO, and the study duration was 6 months in each arm (MO or SO) with a 1-month washout period resuming SO. As this is a crossover trial design, the patient is his/her own control. The main outcome measures were descriptions of study feasibility, namely the study recruitment and retention. We also collected biochemical parameters, CRSBI, hospitalization rate, antibiotic use, and mortality. Demographic, nutritional, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months of each arm. The primary analysis population was defined as the per-protocol population who completed the trial including all lipid measurements. Results A total of 65 HPN patients were assessed, and 60 met the inclusion criteria for the study. Thirty-five percent (21/60) were randomized using a computer-generated random number sequence generator: 10 participants were randomized to receive SO first while 11 were randomized to receive MO first. At 13 months, 3/10 who received SO first completed the study, whereas 9/11 who received MO first completed the study. This did not meet our a priori criteria for success in recruitment and retention. Between types of lipid emulsions, there were no significant differences in changes in liver enzymes or biochemical and clinical outcomes, despite significant changes in plasma free fatty acid composition reflecting MO or SO. Conclusions Overall, this pilot trial demonstrated that the use of a prospective double-blind, crossover, randomized trial design was not feasible to conduct in the HPN population because of difficulties in recruiting and retaining patients. In addition, there was no significant impact of MO versus SO lipid emulsion on liver enzymes or most parameters. The lack of significance may be attributed to low sample size from low recruitment and high drop-out rate, short study duration (6 months/arm), and complex care. In a future definitive trial, a multicenter study of longer duration and a larger sample size is recommended, and drop-outs may be reduced by using a parallel study design. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02796833. Registered on 13 June 2016—retrospectively registered.

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