Articles tagged with Liver
Prof. Orly Lewis is developing a flexible publishing platform for interactive knowledge environments, while Prof. Nir Friedman is creating an epigenomic liquid biopsy for early detection and monitoring of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis.
Researchers redefine steatotic liver disease as a dynamic trajectory, highlighting the need for longitudinal assessment of alcohol intake and metabolic risk factors. The proposed framework integrates objective biomarkers like phosphatidylethanol to improve diagnosis and treatment.
The platform enables simultaneous visualization of multiple hepatic cell populations, including hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells. It also extends multiplex imaging beyond tissue sections to organoids, primary liver cell cultures and advanced liver-on-a-chip platforms.
A Michigan State University researcher has challenged a long-held belief about how the liver repairs itself after surgery. By studying mice, the team found that reducing plasminogen levels led to stronger liver regeneration and improved outcomes for patients undergoing liver surgery.
Researchers found that patients who received tranexamic acid during liver surgery were three times less likely to develop post-hepatectomy liver failure than those who received a placebo. The study suggests targeting the body's fibrinolytic system may support liver regeneration and reduce liver failure risk.
Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University discover a novel mechanism by which tsRNA-Gly promotes hepatocyte regeneration in ACLF. The study reveals that tsRNA-Gly activates GRHL1 and upregulates CCND1, driving liver regeneration.
The Aileen Wee Professorship in Liver Diseases aims to catalyse partnerships between experts and address cancer and healthcare challenges. Prof Aileen Wee, a renowned authority in hepatobiliary pathology, will lead the professorship.
Researchers create siRNA delivery system based on IVSA technology, which targets EGFR-positive tumors with high efficacy and low toxicity. The system enables precise targeting and overcomes drug resistance challenges.
A national cohort study found that living in high-segregation neighborhoods was associated with lower likelihood of live donor liver transplant (LDLT) access. Candidates from high-segregation neighborhoods with larger racial and ethnic minority populations had a lower likelihood of LDLT compared to those from white populations.
New research suggests that megamitochondria initially protect hepatocytes during early alcohol exposure, but later contribute to inflammation and liver cancer progression. The study proposes a 'dual-phase' model, highlighting the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in regulating metabolism and innate immunity.
Researchers highlight latest developments in pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of MASLD and IPFD, revealing correlations with chronic diseases like liver cancer and pancreatic cancer. Innovative treatments, such as AI-driven approaches and organ-targeted therapies, show promise for precision prevention and therapy.
Chronic liver disease in the US costs $41.57 billion, with prescription medication expenditures accounting for nearly half of all-cause healthcare expenditures. Poor adherence to antiviral medications is a key factor in preventing disease progression and treatment, with high out-of-pocket costs increasing non-adherence risk.
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.
Research reveals reduced portal insulin in HCV patients, correlating with proinflammatory cytokines and altered immune responses. This finding indicates a potential link between the immune system and insulin dynamics in HCV infection, with implications for managing dysglycemia.
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.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals how immune cell networks contribute to liver damage and fibrosis. The research team identified a key interaction between dendritic cells and γδ T cells, triggering pro-inflammatory signals that amplify inflammation.
A nationally representative study found nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults with heavy drinking and obesity conditions, highlighting the need for preventive efforts in younger and middle-aged adults without insurance or Medicaid coverage to curb rising rates of alcohol-associated liver disease deaths.
A Salk Institute study identifies Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 (FGF1) as the molecular signal that tells the liver when to release fat into the bloodstream, following a precise rhythm timed to the body's internal clock.
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.
Scientists corrected a genetic disease of the liver in mouse models and human patient cells using gene editing, building a foundation for a potential new therapy for Zellweger spectrum disorder. The breakthrough restored function of the liver and peroxisomes, reducing toxic buildup.
A new multicenter trial demonstrates that hepatologists trained in palliative care can deliver the same quality-of-life benefits as a palliative care specialist. Quality of life improved significantly in both groups, with symptom burden and short-term mortality comparable between groups.
Acute liver failure is driven by massive hepatic necrosis, a catastrophic form of liver injury characterized by extensive hepatocyte loss. Liver progenitor cells play a key role in regeneration and functional compensation, enabling patients to survive despite severe liver damage.
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 new study highlights an extremely high short-term mortality rate for mechanically ventilated patients with cirrhosis, which remains unchanged despite recent ICU improvements. The research identifies key prognostic factors and sheds light on the need for early multidisciplinary discussions about care goals.
A new study finds that people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease face a significantly higher risk of liver fibrosis if they engage in episodic heavy drinking. Episodic heavy drinking is defined as four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men, at least once a month.
The BiliSeq test detected approximately 82% of bile duct cancers, compared to 44% with pathology alone, and increased cancer detection to nearly 90% when combined with pathology. This improved accuracy enables physicians to provide more personalized medicine and treatment options for patients.
The study developed a novel multi-task deep LASSO algorithm that identified six core clinical indicators, establishing four stable MASLD subtypes with distinct characteristics. The classification system enables targeted interventions, prioritizing fibrosis screening and aggressive cardiorenal protection for specific subgroups.
Researchers redesigned a key component of lipid nanoparticles to steer particles toward lymph nodes, reducing off-target delivery. This advancement could make mRNA vaccines more efficient, potentially achieving strong immune protection at lower doses.
A study published in American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism found that low testosterone and high fructose intake synergistically contribute to liver damage in mice. The researchers discovered that changes in gut microbiota led to increased levels of pyruvate, which promotes fat accumulation in the liver.
This study reveals that p62-dependent protein aggregates protect liver cells against severe alcohol damage, providing a new perspective on toxic protein accumulation. The researchers found that the formation of these aggregates is not harmful but rather an adaptive response to chronic alcohol stress.
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.
Researchers discovered that CBD and CBG can significantly reduce liver fat and improve metabolic health by creating a backup energy reserve and restoring cellular cleaning crews. These compounds also showed promising effects on treating metabolic diseases, including reducing body fat mass and improving insulin sensitivity.
A new category of liver disease, MetALD, combines metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver injury, representing a spectrum between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and alcohol-associated liver disease. MetALD management requires simultaneous control of metabolic risk factors and alcohol use.
Researchers characterized the structure and function of a protein that regulates sugar and fat levels, finding it can work with an unexpected partner - itself. This partnership may drive the expression of different genes than its usual partner, offering new therapeutic targets for diseases like liver cancer and diabetes.
Engineered tissue grafts can take on the liver's function and help patients with liver failure. The injected cells remain viable in the body for at least two months, generating enzymes and proteins like normal hepatocytes.
Researchers found that quantifiable HBV RNA levels are associated with a significantly higher risk of HCC, independent of traditional risk factors. Chronic hepatitis B patients with concurrent liver dysfunction should be intensified under surveillance for HCC.
A recent study led by Virginia Tech researchers found that certain medium-chain fats in infant formulas can strain the developing liver and lead to early signs of steatotic liver disease. Newborn pigs fed with these formulas accumulated liver fat faster than those fed long-chain fats, despite receiving the same calories and protein.
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.
Researchers create detailed 3D reconstructions of human liver tissue, comparing healthy and cirrhotic livers, showing dysregulation of metabolite transport, reduced specialized cells, and disruption of vascular networks. The study highlights the importance of understanding organ structure for bioprinting artificial organs.
Researchers are developing an organ-on-a-chip platform to study immune rejection in pig-to-human liver transplantation, addressing a major hurdle in xenotransplantation. The project aims to generate data supporting future preclinical studies and bring xenotransplantation closer to clinical use.
A new study reveals that C-reactive protein is associated with ventricular arrhythmias in stable coronary disease, while its relationship with heart rhythms is different in patients with cirrhosis. In cirrhosis, only high white blood cell count shows a trend for linking to unstable rhythms.
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is associated with a high incidence of osteoporosis, characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk. The pathogenesis involves immune dysregulation, cholestasis, liver damage, and metabolic alterations, highlighting the need for PBC-specific management strategies.
The 2025 Expert Consensus provides a framework for diagnosing and managing inherited hyperbilirubinemia, with a focus on genetic testing and tailored management strategies. The consensus promotes the use of genetic analysis to confirm diagnoses and aid in prognostication and family counseling.
The MIT research team has designed a new type of tissue model that accurately replicates the physiology of the liver, including blood vessels and immune cells. The model was used to study metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and showed promising results in identifying potential treatments.
Researchers developed a 3D miniature human liver model to improve toxicology studies of chemicals. The mini-liver demonstrates physiological and metabolic capabilities, enabling the detailed analysis of contaminant-induced effects on cells.
Researchers have found a nonlinear dose-response relationship between exercise and hepatic steatosis, indicating that a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises can produce clinically meaningful improvements. The study suggests that exercising above 130 MET-min/week can lead to significant reductions in hepatic steatosis.
FHBL is characterized by low plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and APOB, and its pathogenesis involves lipid overload, ER stress, oxidative damage, and autophagic dysfunction. Current challenges include underdiagnosis, sparse epidemiological data, and unclear disease progression mechanisms.
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) holds promise in treating chronic liver diseases by restoring gut-liver axis balance. The consensus recommends FMT for various etiologies, excluding drug-induced liver injury, with strict donor selection and management guidelines to ensure safety.
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.
Researchers found identical bacterial strains in the mouth and gut of patients with advanced chronic liver disease, suggesting oral bacteria colonize the gut. These bacteria can damage the intestinal barrier, compromising gut health.
A team at UC San Diego is developing functional, patient-specific livers using 3D bioprinting and stem cell technology. The goal is to create 'made-to-order' livers grown from a patient's own cells, offering a safe alternative to transplantation that eliminates the need for donor organs.
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.
Researchers discovered genes that regulate fibroblast growth, which builds the scaffolding between cells. Adjusting these factors reversed age-related changes and improved health outcomes in mice. The study offers new opportunities to understand and reverse aging-related diseases.
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.
Researchers discovered that nicotinic acid can dramatically reduce liver damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury. The compound targets damaged mitochondria, reducing markers of liver injury, suppressing inflammation, and promoting mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis.
Research finds cancer cachexia-related immune cells impair T-cell negative selection, leading to irAEs. This study establishes a critical mechanism connecting cancer cachexia and irAEs, opening new avenues for targeted interventions.
Researchers have identified an effective strategy to reduce structural liver damage and improve hepatic vascular function in cirrhosis. Blocking the PAF-R receptor can help rebalance immune and inflammatory responses within the liver.
Gracie Greenlaw, an 11-year-old patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, undergoes the world's first pediatric heart and liver dual organ transplant at Children's Hospital Colorado. The groundbreaking procedure, performed by Dr. Megan Adams' team, aims to improve her quality of life by addressing long-term complications from her h...