Articles tagged with Liver
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes create mini-livers on a chip to study the immune system's response to hepatitis C infection. The platform enables precise control over cellular interactions, allowing for detailed insights into how the liver interacts with the virus and T cells.
Researchers have found that two sugar substitutes, acesulfame potassium and sucralose, inhibit the activity of P-glycoprotein, a vital protein in liver detoxification. This can lead to impaired transport of toxins and drugs, potentially affecting people taking certain medications. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A breakthrough discovery has identified a novel approach to tackle metabolic diseases by inhibiting a liver enzyme that regulates appetite and energy expenditure. The treatment, which stabilizes key proteins in the blood, resulted in significant weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity in obese mice.
A preclinical study found that mice fed a high-fat diet and given the mineral supplement Aquamin did not develop liver cancer, unlike those without the supplement. The researchers observed a dramatic reduction in late-stage consequences of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in animals receiving the supplement.
Researchers discovered a key protein, c-Maf, required for naive endothelial cells to mature into liver sinusoidal blood vessels. Induced liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (iLSECs) support hepatocytes, promoting healthy function.
Researchers found that one viral protein suppresses infection with hepatitis E. However, experimental studies in mice revealed a different pattern, suggesting the two viruses affect each other in complex ways. Further analysis of liver cells is needed to shed light on the underlying causes of co-infection.
A retrospective study found that cases of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease increased since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Late-night meals and higher alcohol intake were identified as independent predictors of developing MAFLD, especially among working-age individuals.
Even normal weight individuals are susceptible to severe fatty liver disease due to various risk factors including diet, genetics, and ethnicity. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis if left undiagnosed or untreated.
Researchers at Osaka City University found that globin family members can suppress liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice. The proteins' antioxidant capacity was greater than glutathione and vitamin C, suggesting a potential therapy for liver fibrosis.
Research in the Journal of Hepatology suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to cause liver injury, but liver transplant patients may experience delayed care due to the pandemic. The study found that vaccinated patients with liver disease had a lower antibody response compared to healthy patients.
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has received a five-year, $1.87 million NIH grant to investigate the role of vitamin A depletion in Alzheimer's disease. The research aims to test the hypothesis that a lack of antioxidant all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) promotes reactive oxygen species toxicity.
Researchers found that female mice produce more of the FPR2 protein, which helps prevent NAFLD, and that estrogen mediates its production. This discovery highlights the need for sex-balanced animal experiments and could lead to novel treatments and gender-based therapies for NASH
A new study found that making hepatitis C screenings a default order for patients who meet guidelines doubled the rate of screenings among those recommended. The no-click system resulted in an 80% screening rate, compared to 42% under a previous alert system.
Researchers discovered a link between the immune system and microbiome in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a liver disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease. MAIT cells activated by bile-derived pathogens could play an important role in PSC pathophysiology, offering potential new treatment implications.
A study by Osaka University investigated the relationship between autophagy and metabolism during fasting. Autophagy was found to play a key role in promoting fat loss during fasting, particularly through the upregulation of adipogenic genes. The findings may have important implications for understanding metabolism during aging.
Researchers identified peripheral tissues as source of blood amyloid beta, which regulates blood glucose levels and suppresses insulin secretion. The study suggests a possible mechanism linking type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer's disease development.
Researchers found that disruption of normal neuronal functions affects metabolic activity, potentially contributing to drug-seeking behaviors. The study suggests that alterations in dopamine signaling may reprogram the circadian liver metabolome, leading to substance use disorders.
The International Lipid Expert Panel recommends a step-by-step approach to diagnosing and managing muscle symptoms caused by statins. The 'nocebo/drucebo' effect, where patients experience side effects due to expectation, affects up to 70% of diagnosed statin intolerance cases.
Researchers found that long or irregular menstrual cycles in young women are associated with an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a chronic condition where excess fat builds up in the liver, increasing the risk of death. Lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of NAFLD in these women.
Scientists have discovered the signature of genes expressed by hematopoietic stem cells that can produce healthy blood cells after being transplanted. This finding could enable scientists to expand these cells outside the body or convert other types of stem cells into functional blood cells.
Chronic liver injury triggers bone loss through the liver-bone axis, characterized by an imbalance of PP2Ac® and LCAT. This study reveals the molecular mechanisms behind HOD disease progression.
The study discovered two tandem binding sites in ABCB11 that enable precise recognition and export of bile acids. The results provide structural insights into the transport mechanism, contributing to understanding of bile acid metabolism and potential therapeutic interventions.
Research by the University of Queensland found that male livers with hepatic diseases undergo a sex change as part of a self-protective mechanism. The study suggests that this transformation may be driven by the female hormone oestrogen, which helps to slow down disease progression.
A new scoring system, MIAAH, accurately identifies patients at highest risk of death and those likely to survive from alcohol-associated hepatitis. The tool incorporates laboratory variables and demographic data, offering a valuable prognostic model for clinicians.
A new pathway has been discovered to explain how excessive alcohol consumption damages the liver, specifically through mitochondrial dysfunction. By targeting an enzyme called MATα1, researchers believe they can develop a new treatment for people suffering from alcohol-associated liver disease.
A comprehensive analysis of over 2,200 patients in Europe reveals the complexity of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The study highlights the need for education programs to raise awareness and improve early diagnosis, survival, and quality of life.
A nationwide study in Germany found that liver cirrhosis has the highest mortality rate among chronic diseases, with 0.94% of hospital admissions affected. The study also showed a decline in mortality rates due to improvements in Hepatitis C treatment, but an increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cases.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have developed a way to interfere with the energy pathway that allows liver cancer to grow and spread by targeting the pyruvate kinase protein. This approach uses antisense oligonucleotides, which reduce tumor development in mouse models, offering a potential treatment for liver cancer.
Researchers discovered that a hormone called FGF21 suppresses alcohol consumption in primates by altering neural transmission in the brain. This finding provides a mechanism for a liver-to-brain endocrine feedback loop to protect the liver from damage and may lead to potential treatment options for alcohol use disorder.
A new study aims to improve antibody responses in kidney and liver transplant recipients to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine doses, exploring the impact of reduced immunosuppressive medication. The CPAT-ISR trial will enroll up to 400 adults with a history of organ transplants and evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy.
Researchers at MUSC found that fungal infections are common in cirrhosis patients, often resistant to antibiotics. Patients with cirrhosis are immunocompromised and need proactive infection management.
A study of 1,000 patients found that some recoverees from hepatitis C still face liver cancer risks after treatment. Researchers propose a 2-step strategy combining FIB-4 and transient elastography/ultrasound to predict high-risk cases.
Scientists have discovered families of proteins that can predict liver transplant rejection, allowing for early detection and modification of immunosuppression. The Blood Proteoform Atlas outlines over 56,000 protein molecules associated with immune cell proteins that change with rejection.
Researchers developed a novel multi-organoid system to simulate the human liver-islet axis, enabling 3D co-culture of hiPSC-derived organoids for up to 30 days. The system exhibited cooperative interaction between liver and islet organoids, reflecting the dynamic interplay among organs in type 2 diabetes.
A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis had significantly higher post-ICU death rates and mortality at 30 days after ICU discharge compared to those with cirrhosis attributed to other causes. The study, which analyzed case files of 1,174 patients, suggests that early diagno...
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism underlying liver cirrhosis, a deadly disease poorly understood. The discovery, made using genetically modified mice, reveals that the lack of MCRS1 protein leads to bile acid accumulation and fibrosis, opening new avenues for treatment.
A new review suggests that moderate coffee consumption can stimulate digestive processes and help movement through the colon. The study also found a possible association between coffee consumption and reduced risk of gallstones and certain liver diseases. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers found that alterations in the RNF43 and ZNRF3 genes lead to an accumulation of lipids and inflammation in the liver, increasing the risk of developing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fatty liver disease. These genetic changes also affect liver cell proliferation, contributing to the progression of liver diseases.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline outlining the use of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to treat adult patients with primary liver cancers. The guidelines emphasize multidisciplinary care and provide evidence-based recommendations on indications, dosing, techniques, and trea...
Researchers at MUSC identified a potent antifibrotic peptide that reverses scarring in human and mouse tissues by activating an antifibrotic pathway. The E4 peptide has the potential to treat various diseases, including heart disease, lung fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and chronic kidney disease.
Researchers found that a diet rich in butyrate sharply reduced the risk of biliary atresia in mouse pups, and identified glutamine as a key compound with similar protective effects. The findings suggest a potential role for maternal microbiome manipulation in preventing liver disease.
The new technology can reliably distinguish between cancerous and healthy liver tissue, aiding diagnosis and potentially reducing errors in biopsies. The researchers plan to continue measuring fluorescence lifetime parameters in patients with different types of tumors to generate real-time diagnostic classifiers.
A study by Kanazawa University researchers found that the chemokine CCL3 plays a significant role in inducing inflammation as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease develops. The presence of CCL3 increased liver macrophage accumulation, leading to liver inflammation and scarring.
A new study projects that increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic will result in 8,000 additional deaths from liver disease and 18,700 cases of liver failure by 2040. The researchers estimated a one-year increase in consumption to cause 100 additional deaths and 2,800 cases of liver failure by 2023.
Research from MUSC suggests that physicians should be cautious when using laboratory tests to diagnose alcoholic cirrhosis due to false negative results. Patients with advanced liver disease often show subtle signs and symptoms in the early stages of cirrhosis.
New research suggests that cannabis use can lead to harmful drug-drug interactions by interfering with two families of enzymes that metabolize a wide range of drugs. This could result in unintended side effects such as toxicity or accidental overdose, particularly for older individuals using medications.
Researchers at University of California San Diego found a way to boost innate immunity in liver cancer, making tumors highly responsive to immunotherapy. The combination of anti-PD-L1 antibody and polyIC molecule showed remarkable synergistic effects in liver tumor inhibition.
A study found that spaceflight alters liver gene expression and reduces antioxidant capacity in mice, leading to increased oxidative stress. However, exposure to artificial gravity can mitigate some of these effects, suggesting potential for dietary supplementation to offset changes during spaceflight.
A new microfluidic photoreactor treatment approach has shown promising results in reducing bilirubin levels in newborns with severe jaundice. The treatment uses high-intensity light to target and remove excess bilirubin from the blood without causing damage to red blood cells.
A large-scale epidemiologic study in China identified links between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Long-term exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of MAFLD, especially in individuals with unhealthy lifestyles and central obesity.
A team of researchers at UC Davis Health has developed a novel PET imaging-based tool to detect liver inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The tool uses dynamic PET imaging and mathematical modeling to measure glucose transport from blood to liver tissue, allowing clinicians to quantify liver inflammation.
Researchers found that video-based, telehealth-delivered exercise and weight loss programs improved pain and function in people with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity. The intervention with dietary component led to substantial weight loss and additional benefits.
A cohort study of 165 patients with hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma found that treating the virus with direct-acting antivirals reduces tumor progression and metastasis. The study showed a 72% reduction in tumor progression and an 88% reduction in risk of death from HCC.
A Cleveland Clinic study shows that bariatric surgery significantly lowers the risk of progression to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver-related death. Bariatric surgery also reduces the risk of developing serious cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
Researchers found that albino mice with a mutated tyrosinase gene are more susceptible to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) than black mice. This study provides new insights into the genetic factors contributing to NASH and its progression.
An international research team discovered that intestinal bacteria can distribute their metabolic products throughout the body via the bloodstream using membrane vesicles. The study found that these vesicles can overcome the blood-brain barrier and enter brain cells, suggesting a new method for delivering drugs or vaccines.
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released new clinical guidelines that recommend against extensive preprocedural testing to estimate clotting in patients with cirrhosis. This change aims to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with unnecessary blood clotting tests.
A study published in Nature Communications identified C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2) as a global regulator of metabolism that balances sugar and fat levels in the liver. CtBP2 is crucial for controlling glucose and lipid balance, making it a promising drug target for treating symptoms associated with obesity.
Researchers have identified a novel estrogen compound that provides benefits similar to hormone replacement therapy but without the risk factors associated with it. The compound has been shown to reduce excess lipid deposition in the liver and prevent the progression of fibrosis, which can lead to liver failure and metabolic problems.
Researchers found that hepatitis C treatment reduces the activity of proteins involved in cirrhosis, potentially indicating an early sign of liver recovery. The study suggests a possible pathway toward healing scarred liver tissue after virus elimination.