Articles tagged with Fibrosis
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.
Researchers found that inhaled N-acetylcysteine (NAC) preserves more lung function in some patients with mild idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis than no therapy. This novel study provides encouraging evidence to pursue a potential treatment for IPF, a lung disease characterized by progressive scarring.
A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology found that real-time elastography is a valuable tool for assessing liver fibrosis. The technique uses elasticity measurements to differentiate between various degrees of liver fibrosis, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods.
A recent study published in JAMA has identified a significant association between gene variation in kidney donors and increased risk of graft failure. The researchers found that donors with certain genetic variants had poorer graft survival rates, highlighting the potential for genetic biomarkers to predict transplant outcomes.
Researchers identified novel bedside criteria to distinguish between cirrhosis and inflammation in patients with ALD. A blood test can exclude active inflammation before using transient elastography for liver fibrosis assessment.
A study found that losartan-M6PHSA, a targeted delivery system of losartan, reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis in rats. In contrast, oral losartan alone had no significant effect on disease activity. The researchers believe early detection of fibrosis offers potential for therapies to prevent further scarring.
Researchers found that ghrelin reduced liver fibrosis by 25% in treated rats, prevented acute liver damage, and decreased oxidative stress and inflammation. Human studies also showed lower ghrelin serum levels in patients with chronic liver disease, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
Researchers developed a simple blood test to predict which idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients are likely to become severely ill. The test targets immune cells called CD4 T-cells, which lose their CD28 protein markers as disease severity increases, indicating a greater likelihood of grave illness.
Researchers confirm accuracy of transient elastography for diagnosing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and excluding advanced fibrosis. The study found TE to be superior to other non-invasive tests in detecting advanced fibrosis, with the potential to spare two-thirds of NAFLD patients from liver biopsies.
A study published in Hepatology found that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who consumed more than 308mg of caffeine daily had milder liver fibrosis. The protective effect was greatest when caffeine came from coffee sources, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit for moderate coffee consumption.
A recent study found that repeated liver stiffness measurements can accurately detect severity of fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C recurrence after a liver transplant. Slow 'fibrosers' progressed at the same rate as non-HCV LT patients, while rapid 'fibrosers' showed significant fibrosis and portal hypertension early on.
A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology found that green tea extract inhibited proliferation, reduced collagen content, and downregulated collagen type 1 expression in liver fibrosis models.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have discovered a potential treatment for priapism, a condition characterized by persistent and painful penile erections. The FDA-approved drug PEG-ADA has been shown to relieve symptoms and prevent a major complication in pre-clinical studies.
Research on endothelin-1 (ET-1) reveals its role in promoting fibrosis in pancreatic stellate cells. ET-1 stimulates cell activation, leading to inflammation and fibrosis. Inhibition of ET-1 may offer a novel approach to treating chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a novel gene and enzyme that may hold the key to treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a life-threatening lung disease. The discovery could lead to new treatments for not only pulmonary fibrosis but also other organ-based diseases such as cardiac and kidney fibrosis.
A study found that adjusting the Fibroscan probe position can significantly alter liver stiffness measurements, with potential implications for diagnosing advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. The researchers suggest a more anterior probe position may improve test applicability and reduce false positives.
Researchers have found that placenta-derived stem cells can reduce lung fibrosis and inflammation in mice with bleomycin-induced injury. The study's findings suggest these cells may be useful for cell therapy of fibrotic diseases in the future.
The study found that tumors with strong angiogenesis showed high enhancement in the arterial dominant phase, while those with fibrosis had a negative correlation. Dynamic CT features related to angiogenesis can be modified by intratumoral fibrosis, which may impact treatment with anti-angiogenesis agents.
The Pitt team has made significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of disease exacerbation in IPF patients. By analyzing gene activity patterns and protein levels in lung tissue and blood samples, researchers have identified potential biomarkers for predicting patient outcomes and identifying new therapeutic targets.
A recent study has found that gadolinium-based contrast agents alone are not sufficient to cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with kidney problems. Despite high doses, these agents did not trigger NSF, suggesting that other factors may be necessary for the disease to develop.
A large randomized controlled trial found that interferon gamma-1b does not improve survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study of 826 patients with mild-to-moderate lung function impairment showed no benefit from the treatment, but more side effects were observed.
Long-term endurance sport participation increases the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation. Research efforts are focused on preventing and treating arrhythmias through techniques like CPVA and deconditioning.
Researchers used FibroTest attributes to create decision trees for patients with chronic hepatitis C, providing explicit rules to relate biomarker values to fibrosis scores. The study enhances understanding of fibrosis progression and improves classification of preclinical subgroups.
Two new studies present promising findings for hepatitis treatments, including a switch to Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) for patients with persistent viral replication. The study also explores the long-term effects of Interferon Based Therapy on Hepatic Histology in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus, showing improved histol...
Scientists have discovered that p90RSK plays a critical role in activating hepatic stellate cells, which produce excessive collagen leading to liver fibrosis. Downregulating p90RSK inhibits HSC proliferation and collagen expression, providing a new therapeutic target for treating liver fibrosis.
A new non-invasive diagnostic index, the Pediatric NAFLD Fibrosis Index (PNFI), uses age, waist circumference, and triglycerides to predict liver fibrosis in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This index may help reduce the need for invasive biopsies, improving patient comfort and outcomes.
A study reviewing 505 operative repairs found that prompt treatment improved survival rates, with extent of fibrosis being the only predictive factor for successful repair. Women with previous pregnancies showed significantly improved outcomes compared to first-time mothers.
Research suggests melatonin can decrease hepatic fibrosis scores, reduce serum markers of fibrogenesis, and alleviate oxidative stress. The study provides a basis for further investigation into the protective effects of melatonin on liver function in cirrhotic patients.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that exposure to second-hand smoke and alcohol significantly raises the risk of liver disease. The combined effect led to elevated levels of liver fibrosis proteins, which can lead to cirrhosis.
A study compared FibroScan with liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C, finding non-invasive methods effective for fibrosis assessment. Transient elastography outperformed traditional biopsy in differentiating significant from absent or mild fibrosis, offering an alternative to invasive procedures.