Research on the liver in health and disease. Covers liver-disease subtypes, the liver's role in circadian timing, targeted therapies, and cell regulation.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.