Articles tagged with 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.
A new study shows that magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can identify liver fibrosis with high accuracy, helping to avoid invasive biopsies. MRE produces color-coded images indicating internal organ stiffness, allowing doctors to diagnose liver disease earlier.
Research shows US military personnel deployed to Iraq have a significantly higher tobacco abuse rate than the national average. Meanwhile, New York residents who smoke are experiencing the effects of the state's tobacco reduction strategies. Additionally, studies link smoking to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in men.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that patients with chronic HCV infection have a higher risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis compared to those with HBV. The risk factors include age, liver cirrhosis, and smoking, with patients over 55 and those with liver cirrhosis showing the highest incidence.
A FSU researcher has made a significant discovery about the life-threatening mechanism of liver fibrosis, attracting a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The protein involved in scar formation could lead to treatment methods that slow down the disease process.
A new open access journal, Fibrogenesis & Tissue Repair, has launched to address key issues in tissue fibrosis and repair. The first paper published in the journal reveals that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in skin correlates with myofibroblast induction.
The study found that Qianggan-Rongxian decoction can inhibit hepatic fibrosis and prevent the development of cirrhosis in rats. It also showed a significant reduction in serum levels of ALT and AST, indicating liver cell protection.
Researchers used ultrasonography to diagnose biliary atresia in patients. The study found that the triangular cord was a specific feature of the disease, while flat and small gallbladders were also diagnostic. Hepatomegaly and heterogeneous echogenicity were proportional with liver fibrosis.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that HCV-infected patients without initial liver damage are at risk of fibrosis progression. Factors associated with this development include elevated transaminases, body mass index above 25, and time interval between biopsies.
Fibrotic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer involve scarring, affecting organ function. Research by the University of Western Ontario identified glycogen synthase kinase 3 as a brake that can be impaired, leading to scarring.
A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that transient elastography, a non-invasive technique, can accurately diagnose late-stage liver disease. The study showed high correlation between LSM and pericellular fibrosis, allowing for better prediction of cirrhosis
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that senescent liver cells can orchestrate a sequence of events that limit fibrosis, a natural response to acute damage. This discovery suggests a new therapeutic approach for human patients with precursors of serious liver diseases.
Researchers found that fibrosis occurs rapidly in the gut, limiting drug effectiveness and making it harder to restore immunity. Early treatment can preserve some elements of the immune system by protecting T-cells.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have linked extreme fatigue in lung-scarring disease to poor sleep quality, finding a 25% loss in R.E.M. sleep time among patients. The study shows that people with stiffened lungs and sleep problems experience reduced physical and mental activity scores.
Pirfenidone slows lung capacity loss and overall deterioration of IPF, offering new hope for treatment. The study's findings suggest that pirfenidone may also be effective in treating other fibrotic lung diseases.
Rosiglitazone, an antidiabetic drug, has been found to prevent hepatic fibrosis due to Schistosoma japonicum infection. PPARgamma ligand is thought to play a key role in this process.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has identified a unique combination of blood proteins that distinguish IPF patients from normal controls with extraordinary sensitivity and precision. The five protein signature may help monitor lung fibrosis, detect disease progression, and evaluate treatment e...
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered a novel way to prevent cardiac fibrosis by targeting the Epac molecule. By increasing Epac expression, they were able to block the ability of agents to promote fibrosis in cardiac fibroblasts.
Researchers discuss the potential for developing new therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by targeting abnormal embryonic pathways. The treatment imperative for cardiac interventions in older patients also drives this need for innovative treatments.
A study found that a 3-variable model of serum fibrosis markers, including HA, TIMP-1, and platelet count, can accurately predict cirrhosis in patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C. The model outperformed other published models and showed strong correlation with collagen content.
New studies validate non-invasive methods for diagnosing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, with enhanced panels showing good diagnostic accuracy and simple markers augmenting performance, offering potential for eliminating the need for liver biopsy in over 80% of cases.
Patients with chronic hepatitis C infection who use cannabis daily are at higher risk of moderate to severe liver fibrosis. Cannabis use combined with heavy alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of liver damage. The American Gastroenterological Association recommends avoiding cannabis use in patients with HCV.
Researchers analyzed medical records of 249 IPF patients and found that current smokers had longer survival times due to milder disease. However, non-smokers had better survival rates, suggesting a possible link between smoking damage and progression of lung disease.
Inhibiting PIN1 has been shown to reduce airway fibrosis driven by TGF-beta-1 production in rodents with chronic asthma. Mice lacking PIN1 also exhibited reduced airway fibrosis when exposed to allergens.
Recent studies have shown that magnetic resonance elastography and other imaging strategies can detect hepatic fibrosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Non-invasive techniques like MRI could replace liver biopsy, which is currently the best way to assess fibrosis but carries serious side effects.
Researchers at UC-San Diego have developed a modified protein that can block excessive scar tissue growth in the liver, stopping its progression and even reversing some cell damage. The peptide has shown promising results in animal studies, opening new possibilities for treating conditions like cirrhosis of the liver.
Researchers from IIBB-CSIC-IDIBAPS have discovered a method to stop and revert idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in animal models using pneumocytes transplantation. A clinical study will soon be conducted in humans to test the treatment.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered a crucial molecular pathway underlying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a deadly lung disease. The study found that lysoposphatidic acid (LPA) and its receptor LPA1 play a key role in attracting fibroblasts, leading to scarring of lung tissue.
Smoking before or during pregnancy may decrease fertility in female offspring, according to a new mouse study. The study found that exposure to environmental toxins like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can reduce the number of follicles in female mice, leading to reduced fertility.
Researchers identified a mechanism that represses dendritic cell function in melanoma, which could be targeted for treatment. A new approach to treating myotonia in individuals with DM1 was also discovered using morpholino antisense oligonucleotide.
A study found that a pharmaceutical monoclonal antibody can prevent pulmonary fibrosis, a serious side effect of radiation therapy for advanced lung cancer. This breakthrough may lead to more effective radiation therapies and extend patients' lives.
A recent study found that diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) can predict moderate to severe chronic liver disease. The technique measured water diffusion in the liver tissue and showed promise as a non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy.