Articles tagged with Liver
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Researchers discovered a novel cellular mechanism for disposing of misfolded proteins in a rare condition called alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, which can also affect neurological disorders like Alzheimer's. The study identified the human enzyme Man1b1 as key to degrading these proteins.
Scientists have developed a new method to study glycans and their interactions with proteins, expanding our understanding of liver disease and the immune system. Galectin-3, a glycan-binding protein, was found to interact with hundreds of receptors in live liver stellate cells and immune cells.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered that hepatocytes, the primary cell type in the liver, actively defend against certain viruses by absorbing and silencing them. This finding opens up new avenues for developing treatments for viral illnesses, including COVID-19.
A start-up company led by Georgia State University chemist Jenny Yang has received a National Institute of Health grant to accelerate development of an MRI contrast agent that can non-invasively detect early-stage liver disease. The agent works by binding with collagen, alerting clinicians to the presence of fibrosis.
A nationwide cohort study has confirmed that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased mortality risk, even in mild stages. The study found that patients with NAFLD had a 93% increased risk of all-cause mortality, driven primarily by deaths from extra-hepatic cancer and cirrhosis.
A research team has identified p16 high cells detectable in all organs, enriched with age, that fail to proliferate and exhibit heterogeneous senescence-associated phenotypes. Eliminating these cells improved nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related conditions.
Researchers at the University of Washington and Rice University are working on a novel technology that uses thermofluidic systems to manipulate gene expression in cells within 3D artificial organs. This could lead to the creation of functional artificial liver tissues that can be used for studying disease and developing new treatments.
A recent study by a URI graduate student found significant concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seabirds from offshore areas, including Narragansett Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and Cape Fear. The research highlights the environmental persistence of these compounds, which can remain in animal tissues for many years.
Researchers discover reduced glucagon sensitivity in people with fatty liver and type 2 diabetes, leading to increased glucose production. This finding opens up new possibilities for early detection and treatment of the diseases.
A new study published in Hepatology has identified a gene, Fas Associated Factor Family Member 2 (FAF2), that may reduce the risk of developing alcoholic cirrhosis. The researchers found that this gene is involved in lipid droplet organization pathway and is linked to other genes that increase the likelihood of liver disease.
Researchers at Children's Medical Research Institute have discovered a reason behind the low success rate of gene therapy targeting liver diseases using Adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2). The team found that AAV2 binds too tightly to its attachment receptor, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, which leads to the vector getting
A new study by City of Hope researchers found that Black patients are less likely to receive chemotherapy and have a higher chance of death compared to white patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The study suggests that all patients with liver metastases should be evaluated for surgery, regardless of race.
Scientists have developed a gene test that can predict the risk of certain medications causing liver injury. The test uses a polygenic risk score, which takes into account over 20,000 gene variants to identify individuals at higher risk. This could lead to more accurate prescribing and safer drug development.
A world-first study found that an engineered form of the SMOC1 protein can decrease blood glucose levels and improve metabolic health in people with type 2 diabetes. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to create a new class of treatments for the condition.
Yale researchers found a molecular connection between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver insulin resistance. They identified diacylglycerols and ceramides as key players in this process.
A pilot study found that assessing liver fibrosis in people with type 2 diabetes could identify large numbers of previously undiscovered cases of advanced liver disease, increasing diagnosis rates 5-fold. The study also discovered that over half of patients diagnosed with significant fibrosis had normal ALT levels.
COVID-19 has brought significant challenges to liver patients, particularly those on immunosuppressive medicines. A registry collected data on liver patients with confirmed COVID-19, revealing higher risks for certain groups, such as those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
Novel agents targeting viral production and immune response show promising results in early clinical trials. Four studies presented at DILC 2020 evaluated the strategy of disrupting viral protein synthesis using RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotides, with two combining NRTIs with novel therapies achieving significant HBsAg re...
A new study reveals a significant increase in premature deaths from alcoholic liver disease, particularly among younger women. The gap between men and women's mortality rates has narrowed over the past two decades, with women dying on average two to three years earlier than men.
Scientists from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and RIKEN report discovering signals that control the formation of human organs from fetal foregut. The study provides a roadmap for growing more complex and functional organoids using human stem cells.
Researchers have identified three forms of disease progression for acute decompensated liver cirrhosis, including a high-risk variant that leads to severe organ failure and death. The study provides valuable insights into the pathophysiology of ACLF and lays the groundwork for developing preventive therapies.
Researchers found that inhibition of the MAGL enzyme impairs liver regeneration, while targeting lipid metabolism may have opposite effects on fibrosis and regeneration. The study suggests a complex relationship between MAGL and liver function.
Emerging treatments for liver cancer show promising safety results, with atezolizumab and bevacizumab combination therapy improving overall survival. Lenvatinib and pembrolizumab combination also demonstrates efficacy in Phase 1b study, while nivolumab + ipilimumab combination yields encouraging results in subgroup analysis.
Researchers developed new predictive models to identify patients at highest risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. The models used clinical parameters and identified specific clusters of patients with elevated or impaired liver function, suggesting more personalized HCC sur...
A study published in JCI Insight has identified a potential treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with tesamorelin reducing liver fat and fibrosis progression. The drug appears to increase expression of genes associated with burning of fat in the mitochondria, which may prevent fibrosis.
New studies demonstrate significant reductions in ALT, hepatic fat, and liver damage biomarkers for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The treatments target lipid metabolism and show potential to address type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Fecal microbial transplant has been shown to reduce cravings for alcohol and improve psychosocial quality of life in patients with cirrhosis and AUD. Altering the gut-brain axis through microbiota manipulation may alleviate AUD symptoms, while changes in gut microbiota also affect hepatocarcinogenesis.
A large European study found that using the MELD-Na score could increase high-risk patient transplants and reduce 90-day waiting-list mortality. The MELD-Na score includes serum sodium, which is a significant predictor of mortality in patients on liver transplant lists.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered that pigs can grow a new liver in their lymph nodes, which could potentially treat various liver diseases. The study found that large animals with damaged livers can regenerate hepatocytes, forming an ectopic liver that takes over liver functions.
A new study published in Nature Metabolism suggests that excessive fructose consumption can lead to a leaky gut and subsequently cause fatty liver disease. The researchers found that the high fructose corn syrup disrupts the epithelial barrier protecting internal organs from bacterial toxins, leading to chronic inflammatory conditions.
Researchers developed a new microscopy technique to visualize NAFLD progression in real-time, capturing details of lipid accumulation and immune cell behavior. The approach provides a highly useful research tool for identifying key parameters contributing to the disease.
A high-protein diet with a calorie-reduced intake was found to decrease liver fat by around 40% in obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study suggests that the positive effect of the high-protein diet is due to suppressed uptake, storage, and synthesis of fat in the liver.
Researchers at Yale University found that patients with COVID-19 had abnormal liver tests at much higher rates than previous studies, associated with poorer outcomes. The study also discovered a relationship between drugs used to treat severe COVID-19 and liver damage.
A newly identified mutation in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) may enable the development of more specific inhibitors to reduce triglyceride levels without intestinal side effects. This discovery has important public health implications for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Researchers at UPV/EHU University of the Basque Country discover osteopontin's protective role in preventing early onset of metabolic fatty liver disease. Maintaining physiological levels of osteopontin is essential to delay disease progression during ageing.
Researchers are testing Functional Imagery Training (FIT) to help patients with alcohol-related liver disease stop drinking. FIT teaches people to create motivational imagery themselves, which can support long-term behavior change.
A Wayne State University team has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the causal relationships between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type-2 diabetes, and obesity. They discovered two subtypes of NAFLD: one caused by genetic factors and another driven by metabolic syndrome.
A new drug candidate, SRI-37330, has been discovered to improve four detrimental characteristics of diabetes: high blood sugar, glucagon elevation, excessive glucose production by the liver, and fatty liver. The compound is non-toxic, orally bioavailable, and highly effective in human islets and mouse models.
Australian experts warn of a surge in chronic liver disease due to alcohol misuse and obesity-related liver disease. The number of cases has increased three-fold over the past 10-15 years, with over 6 million Australians affected.
A study found that exercising mice secretes a liver protein called Gpld1 into the blood, which correlates closely with improved cognitive function. Researchers believe this protein could be used to develop drugs that mimic the brain benefits of exercise, offering new hope for individuals unable to exercise due to physical limitations.
Researchers have discovered a new target and therapy to fight NAFLD, a major health issue affecting 25% of the world population. Using siRNA to silence MCJ protein, they found reduced liver steatosis and fibrosis in preclinical mouse models.
A bioartificial system can act as 'dialysis' for the liver in pigs with acute liver failure. The system, developed by Wei-Jian Li and colleagues, effectively detoxifies blood and prevents further liver damage.
A recent study reveals the cause behind the link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and neurological problems, including Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms. The unique role of an adipokine called Lipocalin-2 in causing neuroinflammation may explain the prevalence of MAFLD among individuals with neurological disorders.
Repeated blood tests measuring liver damage biomarker FIB-4 identify people at high risk of severe liver disease. The study found that increased FIB-4 scores between testing occasions can predict future liver cirrhosis, with almost half of affected individuals identifiable.
A novel microbiome-based diagnostic tool has been developed to quickly and inexpensively identify liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients. The non-invasive method analyzes patient stool samples and achieves an accuracy of over 90% in diagnosing cirrhosis, with potential implications for improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers have identified a protein PPARα that regulates bile acid metabolism and suppresses the growth of cholangiocarcinoma in mice. The study provides new insights into liver cancer development and suggests potential therapeutic targets.
A new study uses stool microbiomes to predict cirrhosis risk in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Researchers found a unique signature that distinguishes cirrhosis from other causes of the disease, potentially leading to an accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tool.
A new study reveals that excessive fructose consumption overwhelms the gut's ability to break down sugar, leading to fatty liver development. The research found that consuming food slowly mitigates adverse effects, highlighting the importance of rate-dependent fructose processing.
Researchers have developed a reagent for selective and safe coating of the liver sinusoidal walls to control clearance of gene therapy drugs. The coating agent improved gene transfer efficacy by 2-4 times to the myocardium and skeletal muscles, and 10 times to colorectal cancer, reducing medical costs and adverse effects.
Scientists successfully deliver healthy mitochondrial complexes to liver cells in rats, offering a new approach for treating liver diseases. The method, which uses a protein coating to target mitochondria to the liver, shows promise for addressing a significant gap in current treatments.
A study from the University of Cincinnati found that HCV-positive livers can be safely transplanted into patients without the infection, and the virus can be eradicated. This breakthrough increases the chances of vital organ transplants for patients in need, addressing the shortage of available organs during the opioid crisis.
A major study published in Nature Communications reveals that normothermic machine perfusion assessment can recover enough livers from discarded donors to allow successful transplantation. This breakthrough technique has significant implications for the liver transplant waiting list and demand for transplants far outstrips supply.
A Phase II trial found that the treatment inhibited key enzyme, resulting in lowered triglyceride production and slower progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The study showed robust reduction in liver fat without corresponding increases in blood lipids.
Researchers found that brief exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during liver development can prematurely age the epigenome, leading to accelerated aging and increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders. This study highlights the long-term effects of environmental exposures on health and disease susceptibility.
Scientists at Seattle Children's Research Institute have developed a genetically attenuated parasite (GAP) that arrests late in the liver stage of human malaria, paving the way for a novel next-generation vaccine. The GAP technology has the potential to offer protection to those living in regions where malaria transmission is widespread.
A recent study from Iowa State University has uncovered a link between liver and heart disease, with researchers finding that liver dysfunction can contribute to the deterioration of the heart. The study, published in Nature Communications, focuses on the role of peroxisomes in regulating lipid metabolic processes and detoxification.
Researchers from Nanjing University and University of Macau successfully transformed a mouse's spleen into a fully functional liver, overcoming key challenges in tissue engineering. The innovative approach could potentially provide a new solution for patients with end-stage organ failures due to limited donor availability.
MUSC has established two new centers to support digestive and liver disease research, providing stable funding to over 30 investigators and creating a pipeline for future researchers. The centers aim to foster multidisciplinary collaborations and provide necessary resources for cutting-edge research.
Researchers at MUSC discovered beta-arrestin2's role in regulating nitric oxide production and found that reduced levels lead to portal hypertension. Overexpression of beta-arrestin2 enhances NO production, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.
A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Hepatology shows women and men have similar mortality rates from cirrhosis, contradicting previous research. The study analyzed data from 20,045 patients with cirrhosis, finding no difference in liver-related cause of death between genders.