Patients With Cryptogenic Hypertransaminasemia (LIFT)

September 16, 2026 updated by: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

From the Gut to the Liver: Unraveling the Role of Bacterial Translocation in Cryptogenic Hypertransaminasemia

Persistent unexplained elevation of serum aminotransferases (ALT and AST) remains undiagnosed in a subset of patients despite a comprehensive diagnostic work-up. Increasing evidence suggests that alterations in the gut-liver axis, including intestinal dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, and bacterial translocation, may contribute to liver inflammation and hepatocellular injury. Bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may reach the portal circulation and activate hepatic immune pathways through receptors including CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4).

This study aims to investigate the potential role of bacterial translocation in patients with unexplained persistent hypertransaminasemia undergoing liver biopsy. Standard histological evaluation will be integrated with immunohistochemical and molecular analyses of liver biopsy specimens to assess markers associated with bacterial translocation, including bacterial DNA, LPS, and soluble CD14 (sCD14). The study may help clarify the underlying mechanisms of otherwise unexplained hypertransaminasemia and identify potential biomarkers for future clinical use.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

The study will involve the collection of clinical, demographic, anthropometric, laboratory, medication, and imaging data from patients with persistent unexplained hypertransaminasemia. Relevant laboratory parameters will include liver function tests, metabolic parameters, complete blood count, glycated hemoglobin, and hepatitis B and C serological markers.

Additional biological samples will be collected during routine clinical procedures, including a 10 mL blood sample, a liver tissue specimen obtained during clinically indicated liver biopsy, and a stool sample. Liver tissue will undergo standard histological evaluation and additional immunohistochemical analyses. Blood and stool samples will be analyzed to investigate markers of bacterial translocation, intestinal microbiota composition, and inflammatory profiles, with the aim of better characterizing the gut-liver axis and its potential role in unexplained hypertransaminasemia.

All clinical data and biological samples will be collected only after obtaining written informed consent from participants, in accordance with the approval of the competent Ethics Committee. Biological samples and study-related data will be stored and processed at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study aims to enroll 30 patients with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia and a control group of 10 participants with normal aminotransferase levels who are undergoing surgical resection of benign liver lesions in the setting of otherwise healthy liver parenchyma.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 18 years.
  • Persistent cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia (elevated ALT and/or AST levels) documented for at least 6 months. For the control group only: normal aminotransferase levels.
  • No identifiable etiology after a comprehensive clinical, laboratory, and instrumental evaluation.
  • Ability to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age < 18 years.
  • Histologically documented metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
  • Alcohol-related liver disease or active alcohol consumption.
  • Active viral hepatitis.
  • Hereditary hemochromatosis or other known genetic liver diseases.
  • Adverse reactions to potentially hepatotoxic drugs.
  • Celiac disease, thyroid disorders, rhabdomyolysis, or known muscle diseases.
  • Ongoing acute infections.
  • Systemic antibiotic or probiotic therapy within the 3 months preceding enrollment.
  • Ongoing immunosuppressive therapy.
  • Active malignancy.
  • Pregnancy.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: COHORT
  • Time Perspectives: PROSPECTIVE

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Patients with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia

Patients with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia will undergo the collection of additional biological samples during routine clinical procedures. These will include an additional 10 mL blood sample, a liver tissue specimen for histological and immunohistochemical analysis, and a stool sample. The collection of these biological specimens will be performed as part of the routine clinical management and diagnostic work-up of patients undergoing evaluation for persistent hypertransaminasemia.
Healthy Controls

Control participants will be individuals with normal serum aminotransferase levels who are undergoing surgical resection of benign liver lesions in the setting of otherwise healthy liver parenchyma.

During routine clinical procedures, an additional 10 mL blood sample will be collected, together with a liver tissue specimen obtained during surgery for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Participants will also be asked to provide a stool sample. The collection of these biological specimens will be performed in conjunction with routine clinical care and the surgical procedure.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Hepatic LPS Expression
Time Frame: 30-45 month

Immunohistochemical assessment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) expression in liver tissue obtained from patients with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia and control participants.
30-45 month
Hepatic LBP Expression
Time Frame: 30-45 month

Immunohistochemical assessment of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) expression in liver tissue obtained from patients with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia and control participants.
30-45 month
Hepatic CD14 Expression
Time Frame: 30-45 month

Immunohistochemical assessment of CD14 expression in liver tissue obtained from participants with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia and control participants.
30-45 month
Hepatic MD-2 Expression
Time Frame: 30-45 month

Immunohistochemical assessment of myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD-2) expression in liver tissue obtained from participants with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia and control participants.
30-45 month
Hepatic TLR2 Expression
Time Frame: 30-45 month

Immunohistochemical assessment of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression in liver tissue obtained from participants with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia and control participants.
30-45 month
Hepatic TLR4 Expression
Time Frame: 30-45 month

Immunohistochemical assessment of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in liver tissue obtained from patients with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia and control participants.
30-45 month
Hepatic TLR5 Expression
Time Frame: 30-45 month

Immunohistochemical assessment of Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) expression in liver tissue obtained from patients with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia and control participants.
30-45 month

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Francesca Romana Ponziani, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2031

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 16, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 27818

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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