A new study found that a web-based intervention is an effective approach to manage lifestyle changes in patients with NAFLD, reducing weight, and improving dietary intake. The web-based program was compared to group counseling and showed similar effectiveness after two years.
A new six-year single-center study found a web-based program to be an effective approach to manage lifestyle changes in patients with NAFLD, comparable to group-based interventions. The web program reduced weight loss and improved liver health, suggesting counseling as a key therapeutic option until drugs are approved.
Two recent studies reveal that mitochondrial proteins are broken down more quickly in fatty liver cells, reducing their activity. Meanwhile, liver cells with fatty liver disease show signs of overworking, using triglycerides instead of glucose to make energy and increasing reactive oxygen byproducts, which can damage proteins.
Researchers identified caspase-2 as a critical driver of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a chronic and aggressive liver condition. The study found that an inhibitor of caspase-2 could provide an effective way to treat or prevent NASH, possibly even reversing early symptoms.
A new test predicts advanced fibrosis in NAFLD patients, accurately identifying 92% of those at risk. The tool uses the PRO-C3 biological marker and combines it with clinical information for highly accurate results.
Fatty liver disease is a complex condition that can lead to severe complications like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A new review article proposes the use of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to enable specific risk prognosis and individualized treatment.
A TGen-led study has found a link between DNA methylation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese patients. The research identified four genes that may represent potential targets for new therapeutics.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a significant impact on the US healthcare system, with estimated annual costs of $32 billion. The prevalence of NAFLD mirrors the rising trend of obesity in the United States, affecting roughly 100 million Americans.
Researchers identified a compound called phenylacetic acid (PAA) produced by gut bacteria linked to the early onset of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The study suggests PAA could be used as a biological marker in the clinic to identify patients at increased risk of disease.
Researchers identified plasma lipid species as signatures of healthy or unhealthy metabolic states, including fatty liver disease. They also pinpointed genetic regulators of lipid species and their physiological functions using systems genetics approaches.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a lab-based system for studying Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), the most common cause of liver disease in the developed world. The new tool enables researchers to investigate biological mechanisms and develop effective treatments.
A recent study found that UK children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have insufficient vitamin D levels throughout the year, particularly during winter months. Genetic variations in the vitamin D metabolic pathway are also associated with increased liver fat and inflammation.
Researchers identified two tryptophan metabolites produced by gut bacteria that modulate inflammation, potentially reducing the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study found that these metabolites reduce cytokine levels and macrophage activity, which are key contributors to inflammation.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have identified a family of indoline compounds with potent activity against pro-inflammatory cytokines and ROS toxicity. These novel substances show promise in treating acute pancreatic inflammation, fatty liver damage, and diabetes.
Patients with NAFLD achieved similar weight loss and normalized liver enzymes through a web-based lifestyle modification programme. The study suggested that the degree of weight loss was likely to have resulted in fibrosis regression.
A new study has reported a good correlation between an automated image analysis system and an expert reviewer for the identification of key markers of NASH disease activity in a pre-clinical model. The study used deep-learning algorithms applied to open-source pathology software (QuPath1) to accurately identify cell histology patterns ...
A study analyzed outcomes and costs for German patients with NAFLD/NASH who developed compensated cirrhosis, finding significant increases in comorbidities, mortality, and healthcare costs. The study highlights the need for new treatment options to improve patient outcomes.
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that children as young as 8 years old with obesity are at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Elevated waist circumference at age 3 and increased weight gain between ages 3 and 8 are associated with higher levels of a liver enzyme called ALT.
Research found that women with PCOS are two to three times more likely to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, regardless of their weight. High testosterone levels also increase the risk, even in normal-weight women.
A new study published in the Journal of Hepatology links high consumption of red and processed meat to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. High meat eaters had a higher risk of developing NAFLD and insulin resistance, regardless of saturated fat intake.
Empagliflozin, a treatment for type 2 diabetes, has been shown to reduce liver fat in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study found that patients receiving empagliflozin experienced a significant decrease in liver fat compared to those on standard treatment alone.
A new study suggests that e-cigarette use may lead to an accumulation of fat in the liver, potentially detrimental to health. Researchers found changes in 433 genes associated with fatty liver development and progression in mice exposed to e-cigarettes.
A phase II clinical trial showed that NGM282 significantly reduced liver fat content in patients with NAFLD and NASH. The treatment, a non-tumorigenic variant of an endocrine gastrointestinal hormone, has no FDA-approved treatments for these conditions.
Researchers discovered the role of adenosine 2A receptor in preventing NAFLD, showing disrupted receptors lead to increased inflammation and fat deposition. The study validates this receptor as a potential therapeutic target for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A new scanning technology could almost halve the number of liver biopsies carried out on people with fatty liver disease. The study used digital image scanning to diagnose liver disease and found it to be superior to other tests in grading disease severity and excluding patients at increased risk.
Boston University researcher Michelle T. Long has received a five-year, $1 million NIH grant to continue her research on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Her study will focus on the clinical and genetic traits associated with hepatic fibrosis in 3,500 participants.
Researchers found PQQ can prevent fatty liver disease progression in young mice fed a high-fat diet by protecting their microbiome. The study suggests that maternal diet affects offspring's gut health, leading to an increased risk of developing the disease.
A new study found that both alcohol consumption and metabolic factors contribute to the risk of severe liver disease in the general population. The research, published in Hepatology, suggests that considering both factors together can improve risk assessment and detection of individuals at high risk of progressive liver disease.
Researchers are developing new diagnostic tests and imaging techniques to diagnose NAFLD severity, predict disease progression, and monitor changes. The €34 million LITMUS project brings together clinicians, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies to create more accurate blood tests and treatments.
A €34 million European research project aims to develop new diagnostic tests for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and identify those at risk of severe inflammation and liver scarring. The project, LITMUS, brings together clinicians, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies to develop and validate biomarkers for testing NAFLD.
A study published in the Journal of Hepatology found that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased risk of liver, colorectal, and breast cancers. Patients with NAFLD were 16.73 times more likely to develop hepatocellular carcinoma and twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer.
A recent study has identified Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) as a key driver of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression. Increasing levels of Nrg4 protected liver cells from metabolic stress in mice, while loss of the hormone led to accelerated disease progression.
A new study found that hospital admission for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and death in individuals with type 2 diabetes. NAFLD was associated with a 62% increase in incident cardiovascular events and a 40% increased risk of cardiovascular death.
A study found that increased DPP4 production in the liver contributes to obesity, fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. Elevated DPP4 levels also promote less sensitivity to insulin, increasing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A study led by Cedars-Sinai found that patients with lower Braden Scale scores have higher risks of nonambulation, prolonged hospital stays, and rehabilitation facility discharge after liver transplantation. Supervised exercise programs may improve physical functioning and quality of life for these patients.
A drug called URMC-099 reversed liver inflammation and scarring in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The research suggests that the drug may help treat a growing health concern in the US, affecting over 64 million people.
Research suggests type 2 immunity protects against metabolic disease but worsens nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through inflammation and scarring. Inflammation in the liver involves immune molecules like IL-13, TGF-beta, and IFN-gamma.
A new study suggests that genetic predisposition to type 1 inflammation protects against NAFLD, but type 2 inflammation actually worsens the condition. Targeted treatments for metabolic syndrome may need reevaluation due to this unexpected finding.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered that increased male hormones, particularly AKR1C3 enzyme activity in fat tissue, drive PCOS women's risk to develop diabetes and fatty liver disease. Abdominal fat tissue is a major source of high levels of male hormones in women with PCOS.
Family members of individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cirrhosis are at a significantly higher risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis. A clinical trial found that immediate relatives had 12 times higher prevalence of liver fibrosis than healthy controls, indicating the need for screenings in family members.
A new study published in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that consuming unsaturated fat can lead to fatty liver disease, contrary to its previously touted health benefits. The research used mice fed diets supplemented with either saturated or unsaturated fat, revealing the latter can cause liver damage.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a mechanism that causes fatty liver disease and successfully reversed it using a pharmacological approach. By eliminating senescent cells, the build-up of unwanted fat in the liver was reduced, restoring liver function to normal.
A novel study found that short duration of breastfeeding and maternal obesity are associated with an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents. Breastfed infants who were fed infant formula milk before six months had a 40% increased likelihood of NAFLD.
A new study found that frequent coffee consumption was significantly associated with lower odds of high liver stiffness values, independent of lifestyle traits. Herbal tea consumption also showed a significant association with lower liver stiffness values, even in small amounts.
Researchers have determined that MRE can accurately measure liver fibrosis in children, a major determinant of clinical outcomes. The study's results suggest that MRE may be useful for monitoring the progression or improvement in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Researchers found that patients with advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) tend to have more Proteobacteria and fewer Firmicutes in their stool than those with early stage NAFLD. A stool-based test for NAFLD is being developed using microbial patterns, which could potentially diagnose the condition earlier and more easily.
A recent study found that obesity significantly increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by different metabolic pathways, particularly in individuals with the PNPLA3 gene variant. The researchers suggest that genetic screening may be valuable in identifying high-risk subgroups.
A new mouse study found that exposure to a high-fat diet in the womb and immediately after birth may increase offspring risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease later in life. The offspring of pregnant mice that consumed a high-fat diet developed liver fibrosis, a type of tissue scarring that is a sign of more serious disease.
Research suggests that a diet rich in animal protein, but not fructose, is linked to NAFLD in overweight people. The study found significant associations between macronutrients and NAFLD predominantly in overweight individuals.
A worldwide analysis of over 3,000 patients reveals that those with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are nearly 12 times more likely to be referred at an advanced stage than early. Early liver disease was defined as liver disease without evidence of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests that both low and high birth weights are linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. The study found that advanced scarring of the liver is associated with low birth weight, while more inflammation is linked to high birth weight.
Low birth weight and high birth weight are associated with the severity of liver disease in children, increasing their risk for NAFLD. Children born with low-birth weight are more likely to develop severe scarring of the liver, while those with high-birth weight are at greater risk for the hepatitis form of fatty liver disease.
Research suggests that early-life BPA exposure can lead to fatty liver disease by reprogramming gene expression. The study found that BPA creates new activating epigenomic marks on genes driving the progression of NAFLD in rats.
The study demonstrates that pNaKtide attenuates the development of experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherosclerosis in mice fed a Western diet. The researchers found improvements in insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia, and cholesterol levels.
The AGA has created an Obesity Practice Guide to guide and personalize innovative obesity care for safe and effective weight management. The program includes a framework focused on business operational issues related to the management of obese patients, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
A new study has found that fructose consumption is independently associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and high uric acid concentrations in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, a growing cause of liver disease in Western countries, affects up to 30% of the general population.
Researchers developed an improved Fatty Liver Index (FLI) to predict non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with high accuracy. The new index includes parameters such as age, waist circumference, and triglyceride levels, as well as a gene variant for fatty liver, to provide more precise diagnosis and risk assessment.
The study reveals that CPEB4 is essential for driving the liver stress response and preventing fatty liver disease. By understanding the molecular function of CPEB4, researchers can develop predictive markers and treatments to prevent this condition, which affects millions of people worldwide.
Researchers at EPFL have identified a key player in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. The study found that impaired SUMOylation of nuclear receptor LRH-1 promotes NAFLD, highlighting potential new treatments and biomarkers for the disease.
New research published in The FASEB Journal suggests that pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) may prevent the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in offspring. PQQ, a naturally occurring antioxidant found in soil and foods, was shown to protect against liver damage and inflammation in mice fed high-fat diets.