Articles tagged with Fibrosis
Researchers found that blocking an enzyme promoting inflammation can prevent cardiac tissue damage and fibrosis after a heart attack. The study's results show improved cardiac function and reduced inflammatory factors in mice treated with the compound.
Midwall fibrosis detected via MRI is associated with higher mortality rates in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Patients with midwall fibrosis are at an increased risk of sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular mortality.
Scientists successfully use parthenogenic stem cells to develop functional heart muscle and treat pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers find that inhibiting a protein called ROCK attenuates myofibroblast survival and prevents lung scarring.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a scarring of the lungs that causes shortness of breath and fatigue. Researchers identified a mechanosensitive cellular signaling pathway in myofibroblasts, which promotes survival and prevents normal cell disappearance after wound healing.
Research at Oregon State University found that DHA supplementation reduced liver fibrosis by over 65% in laboratory animals. This study suggests that DHA may be a more effective dietary supplement than EPA for preventing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other liver diseases.
Research reveals that a protein called IL-13 plays a crucial role in the development of fibrosis in Crohn's disease. The study found that increased levels of IL-13 lead to excessive collagen synthesis and tissue hardening, causing bowel narrowing and loss of mobility.
Mount Sinai researchers have developed a playbook for treating fibrotic diseases, which are responsible for 45% of all deaths in the industrialized world. They've identified promising experimental drugs and biomarkers that will facilitate testing of new treatments.
Achieving sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon-based treatment is associated with lower all-cause mortality and reduced risk of liver-related complications in patients with chronic HCV infection. SVR was linked to a prolonged overall survival, with a 4-fold lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those without SVR.
Researchers at Northwestern University have implicated toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the development of tissue fibrosis, a hallmark of scleroderma. The study found that mutations in the TLR4 gene made mice resistant to experimental scleroderma and that patients with scleroderma had abnormal TLR4 levels in affected tissues.
Researchers found that JHQG significantly prolonged survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), improved quality of life and activity capacity in IPF patients, and reduced fever in influenza patients compared to standard care and placebo.
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center identify a molecular pathway critical to body repair processes after injury, leading to potential new anti-fibrotic or anti-inflammatory agents. The discovery could provide a targeted intervention point in fibrotic diseases, including heart failure and muscular dystrophy.
Researchers found thalidomide significantly reduced the cough and improved quality of life for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The constant cough caused by IPF can have wide-ranging effects on patients' lives, affecting daily activities and social gatherings.
Galectin-3 protein has been linked to an increased risk of heart failure and death in older adults, according to a new study. The study found that individuals with high levels of galectin-3 were more likely to experience heart failure, highlighting the potential for measuring blood levels as an early warning sign.
A new 'traffic light' test can diagnose liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in high-risk populations more easily than current methods. The test provides a color-coded system, with red indicating scarring, green indicating no cirrhosis, and amber indicating a 50:50 chance of scarring.
A study published in Hepatology reports a promising new therapy for liver fibrosis, a scarring process associated with chronic liver disease that can lead to organ failure. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor GKT137831 was found to suppress fibrotic gene expression and prevent further fibrosis in mouse models.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new single-gene cause of chronic kidney disease, which implicates DNA damage response signaling. The study found that mutations in Fanconi anemia-associated nuclease 1 (FAN1) lead to increased DNA damage and apoptosis in patients with CKD.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified an agent called E4 that can protect the skin and lungs from fibrosis, a process that can lead to organ failure and death. The agent may work by stalling the cross-linking of collagen needed to form thick scars.
Research shows that lung transplant patients receiving organs from smokers tend to survive longer than those waiting on the list, with significant benefits for patients with septic lung disease and fibrosis. The UK's current selection policy of including both smoking and non-smoking donors improves survival rates and should be continued.
A recent study has found that sarcoidosis accounts for 25% of all deaths among black women with the disease, emphasizing the need for early detection and treatment. The study also highlights the severity of pulmonary disease in black women with sarcoidosis, with respiratory failure being a leading cause of death.
African Americans with systemic sclerosis have higher frequencies of certain autoantibodies, associated with increased frequency and severity of pulmonary fibrosis and decreased survival. The study highlights the need for more aggressive treatment for African-American patients with severe lung disease.
African-Americans with systemic scleroderma have more antibodies that link to severe complications and increased mortality compared to Caucasians. The study suggests using disease markers to screen and treat patients proactively.
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that activated myofibroblasts can revert to an inactive phenotype during liver healing, suggesting a potential treatment approach for reversing fibrosis. This discovery has implications for treating not only liver but also lung and kidney fibrosis.
Michael Young, a lung transplant recipient, credits his new lungs for giving him the joy of breathing again. His remarkable survival story highlights UT Southwestern's exceptional Lung Transplant Program, with an 86% one-year and 75% three-year survival rate.
Two studies found that severe fibrosis increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis at an earlier period. Fatty liver disease also increases risk, with GGT levels serving as a potential biomarker for early atherosclerosis.
Fibronectin play a crucial role in wound healing and embryonic development, but its role in disease progression is not well understood. Researchers have identified molecular probes that can selectively attach to fibronectin fibers under different strain states, enabling the detection of strain events in both culture and living tissues.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified a key component regulating pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal disease with currently no cure. The researchers found that the CLYD gene serves as a crucial negative regulator, halting disease progression and potentially opening new avenues for treatment.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified HIPK2 as a crucial regulator protein in kidney fibrosis, leading to improved conditions when eliminated or inhibited. The study provides a new therapeutic target for the treatment of kidney failure, affecting millions of Americans.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have identified a key molecular player that can reverse kidney damage in mouse models of diabetes and other kidney injuries. The targeted experimental drug has shown to suppress inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis formation, allowing normal tissue to regenerate.
A recent study published in Liver Transplantation confirms that ultrasound-based transient elastography is an effective diagnostic tool for detecting cirrhosis caused by recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation. The non-invasive technology offers quick and painless assessment, with high sensitivity and specificity estimates.
A new classification for diagnosing fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV has shown to be as accurate as currently used algorithms, but required no further liver biopsy. The study combined two fibrosis tests, providing a non-invasive and more precise fibrosis diagnosis.
A large cohort study found that statin use was associated with an increased risk of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) in smokers, with a 60% higher odds of ILA compared to non-statins users. Statins also exacerbated lung fibrosis in mice and enhanced Nlrp3-inflammasome activation.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified the molecular pathway through which physical force contributes to scarring in mice. They found that blocking this enzyme can reduce inflammation and fibrosis, offering a potential new approach for treating fibrotic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid a...
A team of researchers from Duke University Medical Center used genetic lineage tracing to study the origin of fibrotic cells in lung tissue. They found that pericytes, a previously unknown population of cells, are present in fibrotic areas and may play a role in the scarring process.
A new analysis found that coughing is more common in patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and predicts rapid disease progression. The study suggests that patients who cough may have a worse prognosis, benefiting from closer monitoring and aggressive treatments.
A new ultrasound-based diagnostic tool could allow doctors to accurately distinguish between intestinal fibrosis and inflammation, enabling targeted treatment. The method has shown promising results in animal models and pilot human studies, paving the way for a long-term clinical trial.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego, have made a groundbreaking discovery blocking the progression of lung fibrosis in mice. By targeting a specific phosphorylation pathway, they found that it may contribute to the development of lung injury and fibrosis.
A Montreal Heart Institute study found that ivabradine significantly improves left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and reduces cardiac fibrosis in rabbits with cholesterol-enriched diets. The results suggest that ivabradine may be an effective treatment for patients with diastolic heart failure.
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have longer survival rates than those who don't. Treatment for GER may help reduce microaspiration and scarring of lung tissue, leading to improved survival outcomes.
A new study found that a specific gene variant, PNPLA3 rs738409, is linked to an increased risk of developing fatty liver and faster fibrosis progression in people with chronic hepatitis C. The study suggests this genetic predictor may also be used as a potential therapeutic target for treating the condition.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a possible new treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by targeting the invasive type of cell that leads to lung fibrosis. By reducing the production of hyaluronan and blocking its receptor, they were able to prevent fibrosis in living mice.
A new study found that non-invasive liver tests can accurately predict the five-year survival rate of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Liver stiffness measurement and the FibroTest were shown to have high predictive values for overall survival and survival without liver-related death.
Elastography and serum markers are non-invasive diagnostic options reviewed in an editorial, showing promise in detecting liver fibrosis. The use of diagnostic liver biopsy is declining due to its limitations, and these alternatives may be more advantageous to patients.
Pirfenidone reduces lung function decline in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, showing a clinically meaningful benefit and favourable safety profile. The treatment has been approved for mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Europe and shows promise for the estimated 100,000 people affected across the continent.
A study implemented strict protocols for administering gadolinium-based contrast agents, eliminating new cases of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. The protocol has been effective in preventing the condition in patients with decreased kidney function.
The incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is increasing rapidly in the UK, with estimated annual diagnoses of 5,000 new cases. Researchers found a significant rise in IPF-related deaths, with more people dying from IPF than from certain types of cancer.
Researchers found that an appropriate dose of pirfenidone halted decline and improved kidney function in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The study suggests that the drug may be useful in treating other types of fibrotic diseases, including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
A recent NIH-funded genome study has identified a common genetic variant associated with an increased risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and familial interstitial pneumonia. The variant, found in the mucin 5B gene, is present in over half of individuals with IPF/FIP and increases their risk by five- to eightfold.
Researchers at National Jewish Health discovered a genetic variation associated with pulmonary fibrosis, which increases production of mucus and may play a significant role in the disease. The study found that nearly two-thirds of patients carry the variation, which is linked to the MUC5B gene.
A genetic variant associated with the MUC5B gene is a major risk factor for pulmonary fibrosis, increasing risk by 6-9 times with one copy and 20-22 times with two copies. The discovery may alter research directions and identify patients at risk.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that Klotho, an anti-aging hormone, suppresses renal fibrosis and cancer growth in mice. This discovery offers a potential new treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury.
A new study published in American Journal of Transplantation found that progressive damage to kidney transplants is less common and less severe than previously reported. The study, involving 797 patients, showed that 87% of patients had mild or no signs of progressive scar damage at one year after transplant.
A new study by UCLA researchers has found that a key regulator of cholesterol and fat metabolism in the liver also plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. LXRs, master regulators of cholesterol and inflammatory gene expression, control the fibrosis-making cells of the liver.
The American Thoracic Society has released updated guidelines for diagnosing and managing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and progressive lung disease. The new guidelines emphasize evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, and palliative care.
Research validates Pentraxin-2/SAP as a novel therapeutic approach for treating lung fibrosis, including IPF. PTX-2/SAP potently inhibits TGF-beta1 driven pathologies without affecting growth factor levels.
Researchers found a link between atrial fibrosis detected via DE-MRI and increased thromboembolic risk in AF patients. The study suggests using DE-MRI to supplement existing risk assessment tools for better allocating anticoagulation therapies.
Researchers found extensive adhesions and inelastic muscles after using amniotic membrane to prevent postoperative scarring. The use of dried amniotic membrane, rather than frozen, may be the culprit behind these complications.
A new indicator, TLR9 receptor, has been found to mark rapidly progressing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, potentially leading to new treatments. Researchers identified the receptor in patients' lungs and showed its role in fibrotic tissue growth using human cells and mice.
A recent study by Henry Ford Hospital found that the race of liver donors may impact recurrent hepatitis C in patients after liver transplant. Patients receiving white cadaveric donor grafts had significantly more aggressive recurrent hepatitis C than those receiving grafts from African-American donors, regardless of recipient race. Th...
A Saint Louis University study found that curcumin eliminated the effects of leptin on activating hepatic stellate cells, which short-circuited the development of liver damage. The researchers discovered a potential therapy for treating and preventing liver fibrosis associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Research found that blueberries reduced liver damage and inflammation in laboratory animals with hepatic fibrosis. The study suggested that consuming blueberries may be beneficial for people with liver diseases, including fibrosis.