Research ArticleLoss of ileum decreases serum fibroblast growth factor 19 in relation to liver inflammation and fibrosis in pediatric onset intestinal failure

Background & AimsThe pathogenesis of intestinal failure (IF) associated liver disease (IFALD) is uncertain, we therefore investigated the role of FGF19 and pro-inflammatory cytokines has on this disease state.MethodsSerum FGF19, IL-6 and, TNF-α were measured in 52 IF patients at median age 6.0 years (IQR 2.2-13) after 10 months (4.1-39) on parenteral nutrition (PN). Thirty-nine patients underwent liver biopsies.ResultsIn IF patients, FGF19 concentrations were lower and those of IL-6 and TNF-α higher compared to healthy matched controls (p ⩽0.001 for all). FGF19 concentrations were further decreased in patients without a remaining ileum [37 pg/ml (IQR 30-68) vs. 74 (35-135) p = 0.028], and correlated with remaining ileum length (r = 0.333, p = 0.018) and markers of cholesterol synthesis (r = −0.552 to −0.643, p <0.001). Patients with histological portal inflammation [30 pg/ml (28-45) vs. 48 (33-100), p = 0.019] or fibrosis [35 pg/ml (30-66) vs. 99 (38-163), p = 0.013] had lower serum FGF19 concentrations than others. FGF19 negatively correlated with portal inflammation grade (r = −0.442, p = 0.005), serum TNF-α (r = −0.318, p = 0.025), METAVIR fibrosis stage (r = −0.441, p = 0.005) and APRI (r = −0.328, p = 0.028). IL-6 was higher during PN [6 pg/ml (2-31)] than after weaning off PN [2 pg/ml (1-5), p = 0.009], correlated weakly with cholestasis grade (r = 0.328, p = 0.044), and tended to associate with histological cholestasis [n = 5, 5 pg/ml (5-267) vs. n = 34, 2 pg/ml (1-7), p = 0.058].ConclusionsIn pediatric onset of IF, total or partial loss of ileum decreases serum FGF19 concentration corresponding to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, along with increased cholesterol synthesis. In contrast, serum IL-6 increases during PN and may associate with concurrent cholestasis. These data suggests that FGF19 may contribute to the pathogenesis of IFALD.