Articles tagged with Liver Damage
Researchers identify CD36 as a key regulator connecting circadian rhythm disturbances to abnormal bile acid metabolism and cholestatic liver injury. Elevated CD36 expression contributes to inflammatory activation and liver fibrosis, while CD36 deficiency restores bile acid metabolic rhythms and reduces liver damage.
Cells have a new fail-safe mechanism to handle misfolded proteins that accumulate in liver cells, explaining why only some patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency develop liver disease. This discovery could help predict which patients are at highest risk of needing a liver transplant.
Researchers from NUS engineered bacteria to restore metabolic balance across the gut, liver and brain, reducing brain toxins and preventing neurological symptoms. The approach preserves the natural diversity of the gut microbiome and has shown promising results in long-term safety studies.
Researchers agree on core elements of ACLF development, including chronic liver disease triggers, acute insult, and extrahepatic organ failure. A new three-stage mouse model supports testing of potential therapies, highlighting impaired liver regeneration as a key driver of disease progression.
Researchers investigate whether micro- and nanoplastics contribute to liver disease through oxidative stress, fibrogenesis, and inflammation. They emphasize the need for increased research into plastic-induced liver injury and its potential impact on human health.
Researchers found that Cathepsin K (CTSK) reduces liver fibrosis by blocking the TGF-β/Smad pathway, which activates hepatic stellate cells. CTSK also induces apoptosis in these cells, contributing to anti-fibrotic effects.
Guideline recommendations for immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced liver injury (ICILI) vary, with corticosteroids and biopsy indications differing among organizations. Rechallenge after ICILI is feasible in selected patients, with low recurrence rates, but standardized algorithms are needed.
SGLT2 inhibitors reduce proximal tubular sodium reabsorption by suppressing NHE3 via the SGLT2-MAP17-NHE3 microdomain. This effect is context-dependent, with distal compensation (NCC upregulation) possible. Clinical evidence shows reduced ascites, fewer paracenteses, and improved natriuresis.
A study identified exosomal microRNA-122-3p as a key driver of MASLD pathogenesis. Elevated miR-122-3p levels induced triglyceride accumulation and reactive oxygen species production in liver cells.
Researchers have found that semaglutide, an active ingredient in popular weight loss drugs, acts directly on a subset of liver cells to improve organ function and reduce inflammation, scarring, and enzyme levels. This finding challenges traditional assumptions about how GLP-1 medicines work in the liver.
Researchers compare viral and MASLD cirrhosis pathogenic mechanisms, identifying shared pathways and diagnostic differences. The study aims to establish a framework for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of MASLD cirrhosis.
A multicenter analysis of 920 patients with compensated cirrhosis found that interferon therapy was not associated with a higher risk of serious complications compared to standard treatment. Milder side effects were more common and required closer monitoring.
Research found that people who spend a higher proportion of their total physical activity doing vigorous activity have substantially lower risks of all eight serious health conditions. The benefits of vigorous activity remained even when the amount of time was modest.
Elevated uric acid promotes liver damage and disease severity through inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances. Lifestyle interventions, medications, and potential biomarkers are being explored to improve diagnostic efficacy and treatment.
Women with cardiometabolic risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and high waist circumference face a higher risk of liver fibrosis, with rates increasing 11-fold and 2.8-fold compared to men. The study highlights the importance of managing these risk factors for liver health beyond heart disease prevention.
A study by MedUni Vienna found that up to one-third of patients with advanced alcohol-related cirrhosis can achieve complete regression of liver-related complications through consistent abstinence from alcohol. This 're-compensation' also leads to simultaneous recovery of liver function and a significant reduction in mortality rates.
A study from The University of Osaka reveals a molecular pathway connecting liver congestion to liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and liver tumorigenesis. Researchers identified increased activity of YAP and CTGF in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells as key molecules involved in this signaling pathway.
A new blood test score, MetALD-ALD Prediction Index (MAPI), has been developed to identify when fatty liver disease is driven by excessive alcohol use. The tool uses five standard lab values and can estimate whether a person with fatty liver disease may have alcohol-related liver injury.
The Chinese Guidelines for Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Cirrhosis (2025) provide a comprehensive framework for diagnosing and managing liver cirrhosis. Key pathophysiological changes include impaired synthesis of albumin and coagulation factors, portal hypertension, gut-liver axis dysregulation, and progression driv...
Researchers discovered that ATG triggers rapid clotting and inflammation in the liver by activating a complement activation system and TGF-β pathway, leading to severe side effects. The study used human organoid models and imaging analysis to reveal the biphasic mechanism of ATG-induced liver injury.
A new study found that MET signaling plays a critical protective role in acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure by reducing liver damage and accelerating regeneration. The findings suggest targeting MET signaling could become a game-changer for treating drug-induced ALF, potentially reducing the need for emergency liver transplants.
A Rutgers-led study found that low-protein diets slowed liver tumor growth and cancer death in mice, uncovering a mechanism by which impaired waste-handling machinery can fuel cancer. The researchers suggest that individuals with elevated ammonia levels due to liver disease or impairment may benefit from reducing protein intake.
A study found that serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels can differentiate invasive pulmonary aspergillosis from bacterial pneumonia in patients with HBV-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure. IL-6 levels were significantly higher in IPA patients compared to non-infection controls.
Researchers found that PDK4 promotes M1 macrophage polarization, leading to increased inflammation and tissue injury in ACLF. Targeting PDK4 may be a promising strategy to attenuate inflammation and improve clinical outcomes.
Bacterial infections are common and severe complications in patients with liver cirrhosis, with a global prevalence of 35.1% reported. The most common infection sites were the gastrointestinal tract, ascites fluid, and urinary tract, with gram-negative organisms more frequent than gram-positive organisms.
Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy involves structural, inflammatory, and metabolic pathologies. Inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction promote cardiac damage, and the liver-heart axis highlights the impact of cirrhosis severity on cardiac health.
Steatotic liver disease can be precisely assessed using three-dimensional ultrafast vascular ultrasound. The technology visualizes subtle microvascular changes, enabling real-time monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic response.
Even after successful surgical intervention, progressive liver fibrosis remains common in biliary atresia, with fibrotic injury evolving over time. Advanced imaging and AI-assisted histological analyses reveal that ductular reaction plays a key role in matrix remodeling and disease progression.
Scientists developed a compound that targets Liver X Receptor specifically in liver and gut to lower triglycerides. In first-in-human clinical trial, participants showed significant drops in triglycerides and remnant cholesterol after taking the drug.
A multidisciplinary team of world-leading experts is developing an off-the-shelf engineered product that could address liver failure in millions of patients. The ImPLANT project aims to create synthetic biology-based gene circuits in human induced pluripotent stem cells to drive cell differentiation into all required liver cell types.
A study investigates dynamic changes in cardiac function and mitochondrial damage in a mouse model of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Key findings include progressive cardiac dysfunction, inflammation, and mitochondrial injury contributing to disease progression.
A Carnegie Mellon-led team has secured a $28.5 million award from ARPA-H to develop a functional, 3D bioprinted liver for patients with acute liver failure. The project aims to provide a temporary liver that supports regeneration of a patient's own liver, reducing the need for full organ transplants.
A new study found that higher levels of PFAS in the blood are linked to an increased risk of early onset of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adolescents. MASLD affects up to 40% of children with obesity and increases long-term risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver cancer.
Mayo Clinic researchers developed an AI-ECG model that accurately diagnoses advanced chronic liver disease, allowing for early intervention and potential lifesaving treatment. The study found the model detected twice as many cases as standard methods, highlighting the promise of AI in preventive care.
A multinational study found PSC prevalence among Asian IBD patients to be markedly lower than in Western countries, associated with more favorable clinical outcomes. The proportion of asymptomatic PSC cases has increased due to improved imaging modality detection, allowing for early-stage diagnosis and reduced liver transplantation rates.
A new study by Nagoya University researchers found that laparoscopic surgery significantly reduces blood loss and improves jaundice recovery compared to traditional open surgery for treating biliary atresia. The study analyzed data from 356 children who had surgery at two months old, tracking their outcomes for an average of 13 years.
A newly developed tool called the DILI-Inpt prognostic score can predict which hospitalized patients with severe idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury are unlikely to recover on their own. The scoring system outperformed existing systems in identifying patients at high risk of death and liver transplant need.
The Chinese Society of Hepatology outlines a structured framework for monitoring, diagnosing, preventing, and managing drug-induced liver injury in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Key risk factors include underlying liver disease, genetic predisposition, and drug-specific factors.
A retrospective cohort study found that right hepatic lobe volume, spleen volume, and portal pressure gradient reduction predict further decompensation in cirrhotic patients post-TIPS. A nomogram model demonstrated high discriminative accuracy in identifying high-risk patients.
A two-stage, 24-week controlled trial found that patients who received lactulose therapy followed by tai-chi experienced fewer falls compared to a control group. The rate of injurious and non-injurious falls was significantly improved for those receiving both treatments.
A recent study published in Chinese Medical Journal reveals that dihydroartemisinin upregulates CHAC1 through H3K9 acetylation modification, inducing ferroptosis in hepatic stellate cells and suppressing liver fibrosis progression. This discovery identifies molecular targets for developing new anti-fibrotic drugs.
Researchers have developed a lab-grown organoid that replicates a regenerating liver, recreating interactions between hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. This model provides a platform to study fibrosis, test anti-fibrotic therapies, and identify drugs that could prevent or reverse liver damage.
Researchers identified a significant association between perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) exposure and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adolescents. The study used advanced models to reveal PFHpA's role in disrupting biological pathways, leading to liver damage and inflammation.
The review highlights perilipin 2's role in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and its implications in various liver diseases, including hepatitis B, C, and alcoholic liver disease. PLIN2 acts as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis, while also influencing treatment response and tumor susceptibility.
Researchers discover that genetic glitches in the blood system, caused by aging, can spark obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Simple blood tests may help identify at-risk individuals to prevent chronic illnesses.
A study finds that a determinate diagnosis is crucial for initiating specific therapies in acute liver failure, potentially avoiding liver transplantation. A re-evaluation of cases initially classified as indeterminate reveals new diagnoses, including viral infections and autoimmune hepatitis.
Risk factors for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver cirrhosis include hemodynamic disturbances, vascular endothelial injury with hypercoagulable states, severity of cirrhosis, and thrombophilic genetic factors. Early identification and timely intervention are crucial to improve prognosis.
This review synthesizes current knowledge on khat-associated autoimmune hepatitis, establishing a causal link and guiding clinical management. Khat use disrupts immune tolerance, leading to a chronic inflammatory state and the development of AIH-like phenotype in susceptible individuals.
UCLA researchers have identified two key proteins, HuR and CEACAM1, that act as protective switches to prevent damage in damaged livers. By boosting this protection, organs deemed unsuitable for transplantation could be made suitable for use.
A study of 490 ALD patients found the ALBI score less accurate than MELD, MELD-Na+, and CTP scores in predicting survival. The ALBI score's components, such as serum albumin and bilirubin, were not independent predictors of mortality.
Researchers found that four common PFAS triggered fat buildup and cancer-related changes, with effects differing by sex. Liver cells from male and female donors responded differently to PFAS exposure.
A new investigational drug, ION224, shows promise in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease. By targeting the DGAT2 enzyme, the drug helps reduce fat buildup and inflammation, two major drivers of liver damage.
A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Hepatology shows that healthy eating and increased physical activity significantly lower the risk of liver-related death, even among heavy and binge drinkers. The research analyzed data from over 60,000 US adults and found that adherence to high levels of physical activity and/or diet q...
Researchers identified bile acid metabolites as potential biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid were found to distinguish DILI patients from healthy individuals, exhibiting predictive potential for chronicity.
Researchers found that a compound produced by Lactobacillus bacteria can reverse liver and gut damage caused by aflatoxin exposure. The molecule, 10-hydroxystearic acid, activated PPARα signaling to repair liver tissue and support gut health.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine sheds light on age-related liver changes that may lead to chronic diseases. The research reveals that aging disrupts the functional organization of liver cells, causing inflammation and impaired metabolism.
Research review finds handgrip strength is a reliable predictor of cirrhosis complications and outcomes, including malnutrition, muscle loss, cognitive impairment, hepatic encephalopathy, and mortality. Regular HGS assessments can inform timely personalized interventions to enhance patient quality of life.