Articles tagged with Liver
Researchers have found that leptin can help mobilize extra fat in the liver, reversing conditions like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with partial lipodystrophy and/or low leptin levels. Leptin therapy showed promise in improving insulin sensitivity and body weight.
The study found that hepatocellular carcinoma develops on a background of chronic inflammation and fibrosis, with tumor-associated macrophages playing a key role. The researchers characterized the inflammatory microenvironment in two HCC mouse models, revealing divergent phenotypes of liver macrophage subsets and their contribution to ...
Researchers discovered that a Western diet high in fat and cholesterol can lead to obesity, diabetes, and Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which progresses to liver cancer, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Switching to a normal chow diet improves NASH and liver fibrosis, prevents cancer progression and mortality.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people with overweight or obesity are at a greater risk of developing liver diseases compared to those within a healthy weight range. The study analyzed data from nearly half a million participants and found that even moderate alcohol consumption can lead...
A recent study has discovered a subtype of immune cells called dendritic cells, which become activated in the liver and promote the progression of non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH). Manipulating these cells may lead to new treatments for NASH, a condition that can lead to life-threatening cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Researchers discovered that type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1) promote progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by inducing inflammatory and aggressive behavior in T cells. Blocking or genetically modifying cDC1 alleviates symptoms in mice, suggesting a potential new approach to prevent serious liver damage.
Researchers used base editing to introduce a single point mutation in the PCSK9 gene, reducing LDL cholesterol levels by up to two-thirds. This precision technology holds promise for treating inherited metabolic liver diseases.
A new study found that blocking ABCB10 protein in liver cells protects against insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. Increased bilirubin content inside mitochondria driven by ABCB10 activity contributes to fatty liver disease. The findings could inspire the development of therapies targeting ABCB10 or mitochondrial bilirubin.
A team of scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has discovered a promising new approach to preventing obesity-driven liver damage. By controlling a subgroup of immune system cells that trigger non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), researchers have identified a potential treatment target.
Research found a sharp increase in consults for alcohol-related GI and liver diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the proportion remaining elevated even after re-opening. The study highlights the potential impact of increased anxiety, depression, and social isolation on alcohol consumption.
Scientists are examining the metabolic transition in chickens, from fat-rich diet as embryos to high-carbohydrate diet after hatch. This research aims to optimize nutrition for healthy growth and gain insights into liver function to prevent metabolic disease in humans and other species.
Researchers from Utrecht University publish a consensus on what constitutes an organoid, highlighting the importance of using primary cells for personalized therapies. The new system categorizes organoids into three types based on defining characteristics, providing clarity for future research and clinical applications.
Researchers from Skoltech, Italy, discovered a new axis for preventing liver fibrosis by targeting the GILZ protein. The study used mice models and verified findings with human clinical data, suggesting that controlling the signaling pathway involving GILZ could lead to treating inflammatory liver diseases.
Researchers have developed a novel strategy to treat, prevent, and possibly reverse liver damages by exploiting small extracellular vesicles derived from interferon-γ pre-conditioned MSCs. The approach has shown promising results in reducing inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of cirrhosis.
Researchers have made new discoveries about fetal liver cells that could help make liver cell transplants more effective. Fetal liver cells can multiply and maintain function for long periods when used in transplants, but adult liver cells do not share this ability.
Researchers investigated the prevalence of portopulmonary hypertension among patients with chronic liver disease at Shinshu University Hospital. The study aims to clarify the condition's etiology and pathophysiology, as well as identify risk factors for its onset.
Recent studies point to links between environmental exposures and health risks, including respiratory problems from hog farms and inflammation caused by triclosan. Gulf War veterans may also be more susceptible to alcohol-induced liver damage due to environmental factors.
Researchers developed a therapy to improve liver function during external perfusion, making previously unusable donor livers transplantable. The study found that being perfused outside the body triggers self-repair mechanisms in livers.
Researchers from Aarhus University are conducting a treatment trial using faeces-microbiome transplantation to improve cirrhosis outcomes and lower mortality rates. The project replaces patients' sick intestinal bacteria with those from healthy donors, aiming to alleviate complications and disease progression.
A new study maps brain regions responsible for alcohol's intoxicating effects, revealing that acetate produced in the brain plays a key role in cognitive impairment. The research also suggests that abnormalities in enzyme production can lead to detrimental effects associated with alcohol misuse.
Researchers developed a chimeric mouse model that accurately reproduces human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by combining both human and murine cells. The study reveals striking differences in liver cell behavior, metabolism, and gene expression, providing new insights into the disease's mechanisms.
Researchers at Medical University of Vienna improved liver transplant mortality prediction by adding laboratory parameters to the MELD score, which showed significant benefits in identifying high-risk patients. The study used vWF antigen and CRP levels to assess portal hypertension and inflammatory processes.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that exercise regimen reduced liver steatosis by 9.5%, liver stiffness by 6.8%, and FibroScan-AST Score by 16.4%. Exercise preserved muscle mass, independent of weight loss, and induced anti-inflammatory responses.
Researchers at UHN have developed a deep learning model that can significantly improve long-term survival and quality of life for liver transplant recipients. The model is based on a large dataset from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and has been validated using a local dataset from UHN's Ajmera Transplant Centre.
Researchers at NIH/National Human Genome Research Institute developed a breath test to measure how well patients with methylmalonic acidemia respond to liver or combined liver and kidney transplants. The test assesses the severity of the disease and helps determine treatment efficacy.
Researchers found that liver disease primary biliary cholangitis triggers a signaling cascade in skin cells, leading to the formation of micro-RNA bubbles that signal itching. The discovery could lead to new treatments for severe itching and potential liver disease markers.
A new technique developed by HUG-CELL reconstructs livers in the laboratory using extracellular matrix and human cells. The method, which can be used to produce other organs as well, shows promise for increasing organ supply and reducing rejection risks for transplant patients.
A new surgical approach at Mayo Clinic has shown promising results in reducing antibody-mediated rejection in highly sensitized patients. The reverse-order heart-liver transplant procedure involves transplanting the liver first, followed by the heart, and has been successful in all seven patients who underwent the procedure.
A study published in Science found that adult liver contains hematopoietic progenitors that can differentiate into tissue-resident lymphocytes. These findings reveal a local pathway for the development of innate lymphoid cells, providing insights into the liver's unique immune features.
A recent study published in Hepatology has identified a molecular signature for ER stress in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, which is associated with poorer prognosis and higher incidence of complications. The discovery opens up new treatment options by targeting ER stress with drugs already in clinical testing.
A review of studies links excessive fructose intake to NAFLD in children, suggesting restricting added sugars may reduce risk; current diagnosis methods are inadequate, and better tools are needed.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a new method to quantify fat content in liver tissue using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging. The study found that this technique can accurately visualize lipid distributions within the liver and identify fatty liver-associated liver diseases, including cancer.
A Mount Sinai study found immunotherapy to be significantly less effective in liver cancer patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), while also fueling tumor growth. The research highlights the need for refined therapeutic strategies to treat both tumors and underlying liver disease.
Research at TUM has discovered that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is caused by auto-aggressive immune cells. These cells destroy liver tissue when exposed to inflammation signals and products of fat metabolism, leading to NASH. New therapies may be developed to target this destructive immune response.
A new study from the University of Minnesota Medical School suggests that disease-driving B cells contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The research, led by Fanta Barrow, found that a Western diet and changes in gut microbes activate these pathogen-fighting B cells into 'disease-promoters',
Even moderate amounts of sugar increase fat synthesis in the liver, leading to a longer period of overactive fat production. Fructose and sucrose are found to have particularly detrimental effects, doubling fat production beyond food intake.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that reducing apolipoprotein CIII levels can protect against high-fat diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and liver damage. The study showed that a treatment targeting apoCIII reversed metabolic derangements in mice.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found nearly 100% of red snappers sampled showed evidence of liver damage, indicating early warning signs of a compromised ecosystem. Chronic oil exposure has been linked to cancer and death in fish.
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can detect acute liver damage earlier than current methods. The test uses gold nanoparticles to target the antioxidant glutathione, which is depleted in damaged liver cells. This early detection could lead to faster recovery and improved treatment outcomes for patients with liver injury.
Researchers found that conventional diagnostic methods for liver fibrosis do not accurately track the disease in patients who underwent Fontan surgery. The study revealed a unique regional development of fibrosis, which was not observed with hepatitis C and B, highlighting the need for new biomarkers and imaging techniques.
Researchers have identified CNNM4 protein as key regulator of magnesium in the liver and potential therapeutic target for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. High expression of CNNM4 protein is associated with inflammation and liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
A large-scale trial found that daily albumin infusions provide no significant health benefit to patients hospitalised with advanced liver disease, over and above 'standard care'. The study showed no reduction in infection, kidney dysfunction, or death among patients receiving targeted albumin treatment.
A subset of liver cells takes on a greater workload to maintain metabolic function during regeneration, while others multiply in a coordinated manner. The liver's ability to regenerate and maintain its metabolic activity is crucial for the body's overall health.
Researchers at Tufts University use lipid nanoparticles to deliver CRISPR machinery specifically to the liver, reducing blood cholesterol levels by up to 57% in mice. The treatment may provide a long-term solution for high cholesterol, which affects over 29 million Americans.
Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center identified the cells responsible for liver tissue maintenance and regeneration, specifically those in zone 2. These cells can evade death, regenerate hepatocytes, and sustain liver function after damage.
A new study reveals that over one third of genetic variants associated with coronary artery disease regulate liver-specific genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. Researchers pinpoint the causal single nucleotide polymorphisms and target genes mediating the risk, expanding our understanding of the disease's mechanisms.
Researchers report that organoids grown from bile duct epithelial cells can repair damaged bile ducts in transplanted human livers. This breakthrough could lead to increased use of organs on the transplant waiting list by providing a cell-based therapy alternative.
Scientists have successfully grown lab-grown 'mini-bile ducts' that can be used to repair damaged human livers, paving the way for cell therapies to treat liver disease. The technique uses organoids - clusters of cells that mimic tissue architecture and function - to repair bile ducts.
Researchers discovered that cells within a single organ can synchronize their circadian rhythms without receiving timing cues from the brain or other external signals. This finding suggests a novel mechanism of coordination, where cells exchange molecules to stay in phase.
Cytoglobin has been identified as a key player in delaying liver fibrosis progression in mice. The enhancement of CYGB on hepatic stellate cells or intravenous injection of recombinant CYGB suppresses liver damage and cirrhosis. This discovery holds promise for developing new anti-fibrotic therapy for human chronic liver diseases.
A new algorithm detects hidden fingerprints in routine blood test results to identify people silently developing liver cirrhosis. The CIRRUS algorithm has an accuracy rate of 90% and can pick up over 70% of cases months or years before emergency admissions.
A liquid formulation called LATTE has been shown to kill liver cancer cells and potentiate chemotherapy treatments in mice, rabbits, pigs, and human tumor samples. The treatment could provide a safer alternative to traditional methods like thermal ablation, which can be resource-intensive and damage surrounding tissues.
Research using magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that SGLT2 inhibitors trigger a balance between glucose loss and new production in the liver, affecting metabolism in several organs. The study provides insight into the acute impact of these drugs on lipid and energy metabolism.
A clinical study led by Dr. Jordan Feld showed that peginterferon-lambda can significantly speed up recovery for COVID-19 outpatients, with patients who received the treatment being over four times more likely to clear the infection within seven days. The study also found quicker improvement of respiratory symptoms in the treatment group.
The IMbrave150 trial found that the atezo+bev combination provided a median overall survival of 19.2 months, surpassing the 13.4-month median for those treated with sorafenib alone. The treatment also showed improved survival rates at 18 months, with 52% of patients on atezo+bev remaining alive compared to 40% on sorafenib.
A recent 18-year study by Imperial College London reveals that cancer is now the leading cause of death among people with diabetes in England. Death rates from heart disease and stroke declined significantly during this period, but improvements were more modest for cancer-related deaths.
A global survey revealed significant disruptions to liver cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic, including delayed screenings and treatments. The survey found that 87% of participating cancer treatment centers modified their clinical practices, highlighting the need for continued investment in liver oncology nurses and education.
Researchers found a distinctive gut microbiome profile in people with liver cancer linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that modulates the immune response, promoting cancer survival. This discovery could lead to more effective preventative and therapeutic treatments for NAFLD-related liver cancer.
A recent study by the PREDICT network identified bacterial infections and alcohol consumption as common triggers for acute decompensation of liver cirrhosis. The study monitored 1273 patients from 15 European countries and found that these triggers were present in over 90% of cases.
A new study introduces mRNA-LNP as a safe therapeutic intervention for liver regeneration, utilizing the same science used in COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers successfully induce rapid expansion of functional liver cells and recovery of liver function in injured livers.