Articles tagged with Liver
The liver metabolizes coconut oil with medium-chain fatty acids, which are processed by DGAT1 enzyme, whereas long-chain fatty acids are processed by DGAT2. This knowledge could help treat certain diarrheal diseases by adjusting diet.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that multiparametric CT findings can distinguish patients with high-risk NAFLD, characterized by advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. However, the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains elusive on CT.
Researchers found that ACSL1 catalyzes CoA conjugation of propionic acid-class NSAIDs, leading to liver injury through covalent binding with hepatic proteins. This variation in hepatic ACSL1 expression may account for individual susceptibility to toxicities.
Researchers studied 18 men's livers after a day of eating and drinking, finding some responded by increasing fat storage while others reduced it. The study suggests that high carbohydrate consumption may protect the liver, contradicting typical associations with alcohol.
The study found that the green Mediterranean diet resulted in the greatest reduction of hepatic fat, with participants experiencing dramatic reductions in fatty liver. The modified diet included high intake of walnuts and Mankai, as well as less red meat.
Researchers developed a risk score to prioritize liver cancer patients for transplantation, accounting for both cancer-related and non-cancer-related factors. The LiTES-HCC score predicts post-transplant survival for hepatocellular carcinoma patients, leading to more efficient allocation of livers.
Researchers at EPFL and Weizmann Institute of Science study spatial shifts of gene expression within liver lobules in relation to the circadian clock. The study reveals that many liver genes are both zonated and rhythmic, regulating key metabolic functions.
A new study found that non-Hispanic white patients are disproportionately placed on liver transplant waitlists, with disparities attributed to private health insurance access and travel distance. The researchers suggest increasing awareness of these trends may promote equitable access to transplants.
A new study found that tumors in the liver siphon off critical immune cells, rendering immunotherapy ineffective. However, coupling immunotherapy with radiotherapy restored immune cell function and led to better outcomes in mice. Researchers are now exploring potential clinical trials to understand the mechanisms at play.
A new study by researchers at UCSF and Columbia University highlights the role of frailty in the gender gap in mortality rates for women waiting for liver transplants. Women awaiting liver transplants are found to be more likely to become too ill to undergo surgery or die before receiving a liver, with frailty being a significant risk ...
CREB3L3 protects against atherosclerosis by inhibiting SREBP's expression. Absence or overexpression of CREB3L3 exacerbates high blood lipid levels and atherosclerosis. The study provides insight into the molecular basis of atherosclerosis and its potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers developed a gene biomarker identification technique to predict liver toxicity in just 24 hours, reducing lengthy animal studies. The method uses machine learning approaches to identify key genes in messenger RNA, enabling accelerated testing for agrochemical and pharmaceutical companies.
The study found that polychlorinated biphenyls and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane impact salmon's lipid metabolism and environmental stress response. The transcriptome profiles suggest that OHC levels, rather than salmon origin, have a significant effect on the liver's gene expression.
A recent study published in Gut journal reveals that beta-blocker treatment can reduce systemic inflammation in patients with advanced liver disease, resulting in fewer complications and lower mortality rates. By targeting portal hypertension, beta-blockers may provide a new therapeutic option for patients with cirrhosis.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a method to create lab-grown liver organoids with blood- and bile-handling systems using synthetic biology and machine learning. The resulting organs can mature faster than natural organs, extending the life of mice with failing livers.
A new diagnostic tool has been developed by MIT engineers to detect both fatty liver disease and fibrosis, which can lead to liver failure. The sensor uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology to measure water diffusion in tissue, revealing the presence of fatty or scarred tissue with high accuracy.
Researchers found nine genes in mako sharks that relate to tumor suppression and wound healing, surprising given the low incidence of cancer in these animals. The study also suggests that mako sharks may have monochrome vision, a common trait among all shark species.
A recent study by MedUni Vienna found that blood biomarkers for systemic inflammation increase with liver cirrhosis stages, predicting complications in asymptomatic patients. The severity of portal hypertension also correlates with levels of inflammatory markers, increasing mortality risk.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that gut hormones FGF15/19 turn off fat-producing genes in the liver. The study suggests a new target for therapeutic treatment options to address obesity-related metabolic disorders.
Researchers found triclosan suppressed FGF21 expression and altered genes involved in amino acid and lipid metabolism. Triclosan also accelerated liver disease development in mice with type I diabetes and changed gut microbiota similar to NASH patients.
Researchers found maraxilibat to be effective in reducing debilitating itching and related quality of life outcomes in children with Alagille syndrome. The treatment resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in patients who had previously shown limited efficacy with standard anti-itch medications.
Researchers have discovered a gene mutation that protects against liver disease and may offer a 'fountain of youth' for French-Canadian families. The PCSK9Q152H mutation has been found to lower bad cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular diseases, allowing individuals to live longer and healthier into their late 80s and mid-90s.
Researchers demonstrate 24-hour rat liver viability in a normothermic machine perfusion system, enabling longer-term studies of liver physiology and pharmacologic effects. The study identifies predictive markers for perfusion success, including liver oxygen consumption and intra-hepatic resistance.
A randomized controlled trial comparing laparoscopic and open liver surgery for patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases found no significant difference in 5-year survival outcomes. The study suggests that the laparoscopic approach may provide better short-term outcomes but does not jeopardize oncologic outcomes.
A new study has identified fifty protein fragments, termed peptides, in the urine of patients with liver fibrosis, which could be used to develop a diagnostic urine test for the condition. The research team found that these peptides were accurately detected in 84.2% of liver fibrosis patients and 82.4% of those without the condition.
Researchers found that female mice exposed to cadmium during pregnancy became obese and developed fatty livers, while male offspring were not affected. The study suggests that cadmium exposure may act as a sex-specific delayed obesogen, disrupting liver function and glucose processing.
Researchers at Nemours Children's Health System have identified a new source of abnormal lymphatic flow between the liver and lungs in patients with plastic bronchitis. This discovery opens up treatment options for certain cases, allowing for more effective management of symptoms.
Researchers found that inducing liver regeneration with thyroid hormone boosted CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene correction, achieving 10.8% and 3.5% efficiency rates in neonatal and adult mice respectively. This discovery could lead to more efficient gene therapy for human diseases.
A study of nearly 3,000 middle-aged Framingham Heart Study participants found that approximately nine percent had clinically significant liver fibrosis. Liver stiffness correlates with the degree of scarring, which is associated with more adverse cardiometabolic risk factors.
Researchers have discovered that malaria parasites secrete the protein EXP2 to create pores in host cell membranes, facilitating entry. Blocking or decreasing liver infection can prevent malaria. The findings open a new pathway for prophylactic interventions and may lead to the development of treatments.
A recent study by University of Jyväskylä researchers found that a dietary supplement increased the growth of good bacteria in rats' gut, leading to reduced liver fat content and improved glucose metabolism. Preliminary results from human studies with fatty liver disease patients also seem promising.
A recent study published by Shinshu University found that eating less can significantly reduce the risk of liver cancer caused by fatty liver. The research team observed a 41% decrease in liver tumors in mice with hepatitis C virus core gene, simply through dietary restriction.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found a link between the increased availability of high-dose paracetamol tablets and a rise in poisoning cases. The study suggests that limiting pack sizes and promoting lower doses could help minimize accidental overdoses.
Acute liver failure is a rapidly progressing disease with an 80% mortality rate. Researchers identified three new subsets of liver cells that contribute to the condition's development, as well as signals from the gut microbiome. Selectively blocking these signals and depleting the microbiome led to marked improvement in liver function ...
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 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.
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...
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.