Articles tagged with Liver Damage
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.
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.
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 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...
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.
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.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a method to coat Hepatic Progenitor Cells (HPCs) with natural sugars, making them stickier and increasing their ability to repair liver tissues. The coating does not harm the cells or stop them from working properly.
Researchers have identified a gene signature indicative of hepatic ferroptosis using an iron overload-induced mouse model and validated it in human liver injury systems. The study highlights the role of ferroptosis in liver injuries and offers potential therapeutic targets.
Rifaximin's long-term efficacy in managing hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is supported by reduced ammonia levels and improved cognitive scores. Low-dose regimens show comparable efficacy to standard doses while offering cost-effectiveness.
Chronic liver diseases like MASLD and MASH affect 33% and 5% of adults worldwide, respectively. Experts propose doubling MASH diagnosis rate by 2027 to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare burdens. A paradigm shift towards preventive hepatology is key to addressing this growing public health threat.
Clinical trials for MASH cirrhosis have shown promising results, particularly with FGF21 analogues like efruxifermin and pegozafermin. The review emphasizes the need for effective interventions targeting advanced disease stages and highlights the importance of surrogate endpoints in accelerating approvals.
The new ShARP Center will investigate how PFAS affect liver health, and develop methods to detect and remove them from public water sources. Researchers will also study the link between PFAS exposure and rare cancers.
A VCU-led study suggests that semaglutide, a medication approved for weight loss and blood sugar control, may also reverse liver damage in patients with non-cirrhotic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (MASH). Researchers found that nearly 90% of participants remained on the medication after 72 weeks without significant side effects.
Researchers successfully treated atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease using DT-109 in nonhuman primates, which has potential as a dual therapy for two common conditions. The compound reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and stopped critical processes that lead to vascular calcification.
This study found that inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 reduces liver ferroptosis and fibrosis by upregulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. COX-2 inhibition also restored antioxidant defenses in hepatocytes, reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.
The study found that mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of CD8+ T cells is a significant predictor of bacterial infection (BI) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in cirrhotic patients. Low MMP levels were associated with increased risk of BI and ACLF.
A new editorial in Oncotarget discusses how artificial intelligence can improve liver imaging by recognizing when it might be wrong. The approach, called 'uncertainty quantification,' helps clinicians better detect liver cancer and other diseases by pointing out areas in medical scans that need a second look.
Scientists discover blocking gasdermin D, a key inflammatory protein, improves liver health while damaging kidneys and brain in severe liver disease patients. The study's findings suggest that future therapies may need to target this pathway in a more nuanced way.
A single-center retrospective study analyzed clinical data, imaging, histopathological manifestations, genetic testing results, and treatment effects in 48 WD patients. The study found age at diagnosis, K-F ring presence, and higher immunoglobulin G levels were associated with cirrhosis risk factors.
Researchers propose GLDH as a more liver-specific biomarker for detecting liver injury, offering greater specificity than current ALT and AST tests. The test performed similarly to ALT for detecting liver injury but was not impacted by associated muscle injury.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism of liver regeneration triggered by glutamate, which accelerates liver regeneration in minutes through changes in macrophage metabolism. Hepatocytes producing glutamine synthetase play a key role in this process.
A comprehensive study found that people with fatty liver disease have almost twice the mortality rate of the general population. The disease is caused by overweight or obesity and increases the risk of dying from various causes, including liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and infections.
Researchers found that females developed ascites later and were more susceptible to carbon tetrachloride toxicity than males. The study highlights the need for gender parity in preclinical studies and suggests that sex hormones may play a protective role against disease progression.
A new study published in Liver International found that a mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy can lead to liver stress and changes in the fetus's bile acid levels. This may be a key factor in the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) later in life.
Excessive alcohol consumption causes severe digestive problems, including liver damage, stomach disorders, and increased cancer risk. Chronic alcohol use can lead to conditions like cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and colorectal cancer.
Stellate cells, previously thought to only cause liver damage, have a surprising role in maintaining the liver's structure and function. The discovery could lead to a new therapeutic approach to treating metabolic liver disease, which affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that high levels of ammonia kill liver cells by damaging mitochondria, leading to a vicious cycle of system breakdown. However, an existing drug called YAQ-005 can halt this damage and prevent liver cell death.
SLC transporters contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis by regulating lipid metabolism, particularly with SLC2A2, GLUT4, and GLUT5. These proteins influence processes like de novo lipogenesis and insulin resistance in hepatocytes.
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) exhibits a broad range of hepatoprotective mechanisms, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, which may benefit various types of drug-induced liver injury. In hepatocellular DILI, UDCA reduces inflammation, alleviates ER stress, and protects against mitochondrial damage. In ...
Researchers identified 19 metabolites and found that levels of certain compounds correlated with increased blood pressure, worse obstetric outcomes, and poorer end-organ function. The study expands scientific knowledge of preeclampsia and its mechanisms, paving the way for future therapeutic strategies.
A new classification system for SJS/TEN divides the disorder into five types based on causative factors and diagnostic algorithms. This typology aims to bring clarity to diagnosis and treatment by providing consistent criteria for identifying underlying causes.
A new trial will test whether taking HMB can improve patients' physical function and quality of life. The BOOST study aims to recruit 124 patients with cirrhosis and measure its effects on liver disease, mental wellbeing, and physical function over 24 weeks.
New research reveals that lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) are crucial for liver repair, while Kupffer cells also adapt to take on a LAM-like phenotype. The Trem2 gene is essential for clearance of dying liver cells and promoting tissue repair.
A study found that patients with AMA/anti-sp100/anti-gp210 positivity and elevated liver enzymes can manifest conditions beyond primary biliary cholangitis. Etiological treatments improved or resolved cholestatic biochemistry in these patients, justifying their initiation over ursodeoxycholic acid therapy.
Researchers reveal senescence's impact on liver health, from repair and regeneration to chronic disease progression. Emerging therapies, such as senolytic treatments, aim to selectively eliminate senescent cells while preserving healthy tissue.
A study found that chlorcyclizine, a decades-old allergy medication, could potentially treat erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a condition creating extreme skin light sensitivity and toxic liver buildup. Chlorcyclizine may work by helping the liver clear toxic porphyrin buildup and reducing inflammation.
Researchers have discovered that AHCC suppresses liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells through two channels. Early administration of AHCC may hold the key to preventing the onset of cirrhosis, a potentially fatal condition.
Researchers discovered a novel combination of plasma-based biomarkers that can predict liver fibrosis in Latino adolescents with obesity. The study found that dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly associated with fibrosis, suggesting a potential low-cost, noninvasive screening tool.
The discovery of ferroptosis has renewed interest in non-apoptotic cell death mechanisms. While initially studied in cancer, ferroptosis is increasingly implicated in various diseases, including liver injury. However, the liver's robust antioxidant defenses question its widespread applicability.
A new study published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that a combined screening approach can detect liver damage in people with type 2 diabetes. The method involves elastography, an ultrasound-based technique, which was found to be willing to be adopted by most patients. Early detection of liver fibrosis is crucial, as ...
A new study finds that a blood test using phosphatidylethanol (PEth) can detect liver disease caused by excessive drinking, offering a more reliable alternative to self-reported measures. The test has shown strong correlation with Fibrosis 4, an indicator of liver risk, and could be included in routine blood tests.
A study found that ADAMTS13 regulates VWF expression and reduces hepatic platelet accumulation in PA-ILI patients and mice. Systemic administration of recombinant ADAMTS13 decreased platelet accumulation and mitigated liver necrosis.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified two types of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, a liver-specific type and a systemic type that affects other organs. The discovery could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of this growing patient group, with potential benefits for cardiovascular health.
A new research paper published in Oncotarget introduces an innovative AI tool combining CT scans and body composition data to predict severe liver problems in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients. The model achieved impressive results, correctly identifying at-risk patients with 97% accuracy.
Researchers have created a new technique to rapidly assess paracetamol levels from saliva using Mass Spectrometry technology. The Paper-Arrow Mass Spectrometry (PA-MS) test is non-invasive, fast, and cost-effective, with the potential to improve patient care and outcomes.
A study found that cell ageing in one organ can spread to other organs, leading to multi-organ failure. Researchers identified a key protein that could be manipulated to prevent such failures.
Experimental mouse models are crucial for studying liver fibrosis regression, with various models exhibiting reversible fibrosis after removal of causative agents or therapeutic interventions. However, challenges persist in replicating human disease progression and regression, highlighting the need for further refinement of these models.
High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) plays a critical role in liver disease pathogenesis, influencing both inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. Its roles in acute liver injury, chronic conditions, and liver cancer make it a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic target.
Researchers from the University of Zurich have discovered a link between hepatitis E and kidney damage, finding that viral envelope-antibody complexes can accumulate in kidney filters and cause glomerulonephritis. The study uses tissue samples from patients to understand the disease mechanism.
This study investigates the role of GPX4 methylation in ferroptosis during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Ferroptosis is observed in oxygen and glucose deprivation, characterized by decreased cellular viability and increased lipid peroxidation.
Researchers investigate how liver necroptosis triggers inflammation in both organs, leading to cognitive impairment. Studying aging mouse models, they found that liver necroptosis causes systemic inflammation affecting brain function.
Researchers found inhibiting ACMSD increases NAD+ levels, reducing inflammation and fibrosis in mouse models of MASLD/MASH. Boosting NAD+ production could protect against severe liver damage and cirrhosis.
Researchers identified CYP1B1 as a biomarker for HSC activation and liver fibrosis in patients and mice. Inhibition of CYP1B1 led to the accumulation of trehalose, which has anti-fibrotic activity, protecting mice from liver fibrosis.
The TIPS procedure improves renal function in patients with portal hypertension, particularly those with refractory ascites. However, the benefits of TIPS for Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS) and Hepatopulmonary Syndrome (HPS) are limited due to insufficient data.
Researchers developed a multi-variable model called Hear-MHE that analyzes speech patterns to identify symptoms of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. The test shows promise in predicting overt hepatic encephalopathy and could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment.