Articles tagged with Liver
During the pandemic, registrations for alcoholic hepatitis and deceased donor liver transplants increased by over 50%, associated with rising alcohol sales. Alcoholic hepatitis can lead to permanent scarring and long-term damage if left untreated, highlighting the need for public health interventions around excessive alcohol consumption.
A new analysis of US national data finds that external-beam radiation therapy is a proven treatment option for patients with unresectable liver cancer but is rarely prescribed, with only 3.6% of patients receiving it. The study suggests that institutional and regional practice patterns play a key role in driving treatment decisions.
A VCU study found that people with advanced liver scarring caused by obesity and diabetes are dying from liver disease, underscoring the need for new treatments. The research provides a roadmap for future therapies to prevent liver transplants and save lives.
A new protocol combining patient monitoring and monoclonal antibody therapy reduced hospitalizations by half and deaths to zero for eligible patients. The study, conducted at Keck Medicine of USC, shows improved outcomes among liver and kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19.
Researchers identified five genes mutated in people with liver disease, affecting insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism. These mutations reduce the liver's ability to respond to dietary sugars and fats.
New research reveals that boosting numbers of immune cells called dendritic cells may be key to overcoming colorectal cancers' immunotherapy resistance. By augmenting dendritic cells in liver metastases, treatment led to increased cytotoxic T lymphocytes and made tumors sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers from Sanford Burnham Prebys have discovered a new source of stem cells that could help treat people living with Alagille syndrome. These 'outside the box' liver stem cells may offer hope for those with the rare genetic disorder, which causes severe liver damage and death.
Researchers found a chemical inhibitor of PDE9 stimulates cells to burn more fat in mice, reducing obesity and fatty liver. The study's findings suggest the experimental drug may be effective in treating severe obesity and improving heart function.
A research team at TUM has discovered that the protein TIMP1 is associated with a significantly higher risk of liver metastasis and death in male patients, particularly those with pancreatic, colon, and melanoma cancers. This finding may lead to improved diagnosis and targeted therapy options for men.
Researchers found that liver transplant recipients who contracted COVID-19 recovered faster and with less severe inflammation compared to heart or kidney recipients. The study suggests testing certain immunosuppressants to treat COVID-19 patients, regardless of their transplant status.
A prospective study found that liver stiffness measurements obtained by shear-wave elastography decreased significantly after image-guided intervention for chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome in children. Disease recurrence was typically associated with an increase in liver stiffness measurements compared to prior assessments.
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) is hosting its 57th International Liver Congress (ILC) 2022 in London, where experts will present and share the latest science on liver diseases. The event aims to enhance awareness, prevention, treatment, and management of liver diseases globally.
A multidisciplinary taskforce developed a Clinical Care Pathway for NAFLD/NASH, outlining practical guidance from screening to patient care management. The pathway aims to provide efficient, safe, and value-based care for patients with NAFLD and NASH, highlighting the importance of early interventions and shared decision-making.
Researchers developed a non-toxic, small-molecule probe that provides real-time visualization of disease progression, overcoming limitations of MRI and PET imaging. The probe binds copper ions and detects dysregulated levels, accurately identifying Wilson's disease and other maladies.
Researchers have found that synthetic bile acid Nor-UDCA directly affects the immune system and reduces inflammation in chronic-inflammatory liver disease. The therapy also guides misdirected CD8-T cells back onto their correct path, allowing them to resume their normal function.
Researchers found that liver fat is higher in people with type 2 diabetes, even at seemingly healthy levels, and that weight loss induced remission reduces intra-organ fat. A significant proportion of participants achieved remission of their T2D after a weight management programme.
Skeletal muscle secretes a molecule that regulates around 35% of liver functions, with the remaining basal functions independent of muscle activity. Ageing alters this communication, leading to non-optimal functions and accelerated ageing.
A collaborative research between Owkin and Cleveland Clinic has developed an AI model that predicts liver cancer recurrence following liver transplantation. The model outperformed traditional scoring systems and showed promise for improving patient outcomes.
A recent study published in AJR found that gallbladder polyps can fluctuate significantly in size and number over time. The authors suggest revising guidelines to reflect this variability, with no cases of gallbladder carcinoma identified in patients who underwent cholecystectomy.
Children who receive living donor liver tissue for transplants have nearly twice the survival rate and reduced risk of organ rejection compared to those receiving deceased donor livers. Living donation also shortens wait times for pediatric patients.
Researchers found that DNA methylation patterns at specific genomic sites correlated with levels of fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study suggests that these patterns could be used to diagnose the severity of this condition, potentially leading to earlier treatment and improved outcomes.
Scientists at Hokkaido University have developed a lipid nanoparticle that delivers immune-signaling molecules into liver macrophage cells to overcome resistance to anti-tumor immunotherapy. This approach has shown promise in mice experiments and could lead to the development of an adjuvant treatment for cancer patients.
Researchers at Kanazawa University have identified a new vaccine platform that targets liver cells to induce anti-malaria immunity. The AAV8 vaccine platform was found to be more effective in eliciting a T cell-mediated response in the liver, providing sterile protection against malaria in a murine model.
A novel mortality risk prediction method helps tailor treatment decisions and transplant needs for patients based on individual symptoms. The new tool uses a random survival forest algorithm to predict individual mortality risk curves, calculate mortality at any given time, and provide a 95% confidence interval.
A 34-year follow-up study found that the coexistence of hypertension and fatty liver disease did not exceed their separate effects on mortality. The study suggests a negative interaction between the two conditions on cardiovascular death in non-diabetic men.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's grow functional biliary organoids to reveal previously unknown cell defects and a potential repair approach. The study identifies structural defects in cells that form bile ducts, which can lead to liver fibrosis and failure.
Researchers have developed a new therapeutic method combining synthetic CDK4/6 inhibitors with IKKβ and AKT inhibitors to treat refractory cancers. The study found that this combination therapy can improve treatment outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma, K-Ras oncogene mutated lung cancer, and colon cancer.
A new global study found a significant decline in solid organ transplants performed during the first wave of Covid-19 in 2020, with over 48,000 years of patient life lost. Kidney transplantation showed the largest reduction across nearly all countries.
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have found that innate lymphoid cells can specialize into killer cells that recognize and kill tumour cells. The study reveals a new transcription factor, Hobit, drives this specialization process.
A randomized trial found that a shorter course of rifapentine-isoniazid therapy resulted in significantly higher treatment completion rates compared to a longer daily course. The findings suggest that this regimens can be more effective for preventing tuberculosis disease in individuals with HIV, particularly in high-transmission areas.
A recent study investigated sex disparity in living donor liver transplant access, revealing a significant inequity between men and women. The research suggests that male donors have better access to liver transplants than female donors, highlighting the need for gender-specific solutions to address this disparity.
Researchers from Osaka University found that quercetin in buckwheat liquor induces autophagy, a process that cleans up damaged proteins, and aggrephagy, which removes protein aggregates. This could lead to new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and alcoholic liver disease.
A new biomarker, HBcrAg, has been found to accurately predict viral load in patients with chronic hepatitis B and reflect response to anti-viral treatments. This discovery may lead to improved monitoring methods for CHB, enabling clinical decisions and potentially improving patient outcomes.
A recent study published in Transplant Infectious Disease found that COVID-19 vaccination provides strong protection against the virus for solid organ transplant recipients, with an almost 80% reduction in symptomatic cases. The study examined data from over 2,150 transplant patients and showed that nearly 70% of vaccinated patients re...
Researchers at Skoltech have discovered structures called apical bulkheads in liver cells that are responsible for the narrow shape of bile canaliculi. The discovery reveals a key role for the Rab35 protein in regulating hepatocyte lumina formation and suggests potential avenues for medical applications in fatty liver disease and fibrosis
Researchers found a regulatory cell type, mesenchymal cells, control liver regeneration through cell-to-cell contacts. The study suggests that the wrong number of contacts between populations can lead to cancer or chronic liver diseases.
The study analyzed patient data before and during the pandemic, revealing a significant increase in liver transplant requests and procedures. During the pandemic, more patients with acute alcohol-associated hepatitis underwent liver transplantation, highlighting the need for increased access to transplantation services.
A study in mice and human blood samples found that HDL3 protects the liver by blocking gut bacterial signals that cause inflammation. The researchers identified a special type of HDL called HDL3 that is produced by the intestine, which blocks lipopolysaccharide signals that activate immune cells.
A novel 3D imaging technique reveals the degeneration of nerves in the liver, correlating with the severity of liver pathology in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study suggests a 'vicious cycle' where compromised nerve function contributes to disease progression and worsens metabolic challenges.
Researchers found that a chemical modification called m6A may offer protection against non-alcoholic fatty liver by slowing down the accumulation of fat in the liver. The study also suggested that this modification occurs at a different rate in females than males, potentially explaining sex differences in liver fat content.
A large systematic review and meta-analysis of statin use in healthy adults found a generally favorable benefit-to-harm balance. The study, published in the BMJ, suggests that the potential harms of statins are small and should not deter their use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects 25% of the global population, leading to inflammation and fibrosis. Researchers discovered that hepatocyte reprogramming is controlled by molecular switches, resulting in dysfunction.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have found that immunotoxins targeting mesothelin can prevent liver cells from producing collagen, a precursor to fibrosis and cirrhosis. In mouse models, these antibodies killed 60-100% of human mesothelin-producing cells, reducing collagen deposition.
Researchers analyze case studies to develop a flexible decision support model for split liver transplantation, considering fairness and efficiency metrics. The study suggests oscillating between splitting and not splitting based on patient health and demographics.
Researchers from Skoltech and their colleagues discovered promising compounds among pest control chemicals that inhibit the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, a key component in connective tissue. These compounds show potential as anti-fibrotic drugs for treating liver fibrosis.
A new study found that lung metastases from triple-negative breast cancer contain a more diverse array of cancer cells compared to liver metastases. The researchers identified specific genes responsible for this difference, which may inform targeted therapies for breast cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered a code in the liver epigenome that promotes regeneration, enabling pro-regenerative genes to activate when signaled. This finding has potential to inform regenerative medicine for non-regenerative organs like lungs and hearts.
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism by which the liver adapts to injury by decreasing bile synthesis and shunting it to the bloodstream. This adaptation may explain why some patients with liver injury develop symptoms later than others, and could lead to new treatments for these patients.
A new pathway to treating type 2 diabetes has been discovered by researchers at the University of Arizona, focusing on the liver's role in insulin sensitivity. The study found that fat in the liver increases the release of GABA, a neurotransmitter that decreases nerve activity.
A European gene therapy trial for Crigler-Najjar syndrome has demonstrated the first therapeutic effects of the treatment, allowing patients to stop phototherapy. The trial's preliminary results are encouraging, suggesting that gene therapy could become an alternative treatment for this severe liver disease.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals persistent racial disparities in cirrhosis outcomes, with Black patients facing higher mortality rates and lower transplant approval rates. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve healthcare access for Black patients, who face structural and institutional barriers...
A study published in BMC Public Health found that consuming any type of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic liver disease and related conditions. Moderate coffee consumption, particularly ground coffee containing kahweol and cafestol, was linked to the greatest benefits.
The University of Louisville Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center has received $11.3 million in NIH funding to support its research into liver-related illness. The center aims to reduce the impact of liver illnesses through prevention and therapy development.
Researchers found a large number of macrophages migrate to the liver after resection, influencing cell growth and metabolism. The study revealed essential roles of macrophages in mouse liver recovery from massive resections.
A rare parasitic infection is spreading rapidly in Alberta, with over 17 human cases diagnosed between 2013 and 2020. The disease, known as alveolar echinococcosis, causes serious health complications and can be deadly if left untreated.
Researchers found that high serum levels of human IL-11 in mice with paracetamol toxicity led to liver cell death. However, blocking IL-11 signalling protected against liver damage and promoted survival. The study suggests a restorative effect when using anti-IL11 therapy.
A new noninvasive biomarker, thrombospondin-2, can identify patients at risk of NAFLD complications using a simple blood test. The biomarker was found to parallel clinical indicators used to categorize pathological changes in liver cells.
Research reveals liver cancer incidence is 2.6 times higher in Indigenous Australians compared to non-Indigenous patients. Mobile liver clinics and regular ultrasound surveillance can help prevent the disease, according to expert calls for action.
Research by Oregon State University suggests that compounds xanthohumol and tetrahydroxanthohumol can mitigate diet-induced accumulation of fat in the liver. The compounds act as antagonists for PPARγ, reducing fat storage and inflammation in the liver.
A $2.2 million NIH grant will support the development of mitochondrial uncouplers, small molecules that can help burn fat in the liver, potentially treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The research team aims to create effective drugs with a long half-life and test them in animal models simulating NASH.