Articles tagged with Liver
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that deleting Elovl6 specifically in liver cells protects mice from developing insulin resistance due to excessive sugar consumption. However, this deletion has no effect when combined with a high-fat diet, highlighting the complexity of lipid metabolism in the liver.
A new study found that DNA mutations common in liver cancer are also present in healthy livers, accumulating over time to lead to chronic liver disease. The study provides unprecedented detail on how these genetic changes develop and offers a potential way to predict individual risk of liver cancer.
A new study published in Cancer Research found that excess fat in the liver impairs a tumor-suppressing protein named HNF4α, increasing cancer risk. The research provides potential mechanisms for the growing incidence of liver cancer linked to fatty liver disease.
Scientists have identified two cellular families involved in liver injury and cancer, with one protein acting as a 'brake' on scar tissue production. The study, published in Nature Communications, sheds new light on the mechanisms behind scarring and its complications in liver disease.
A new therapy shows promise in reducing liver fat and fibrosis in people with HIV, a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study found that tesamorelin reduced liver fat by 37% and slowed the progression of fibrosis in treated subjects.
Researchers found that tesamorelin reduced liver fat and prevented liver fibrosis in people living with HIV. The study showed a 37% relative reduction in liver fat fraction and a significant decrease in blood markers associated with inflammation and liver damage.
Researchers found that altering Sox9 gene expression modifies Alagille syndrome liver disease severity, from mild to severe cases. Increasing Sox9 levels improved biliary duct development without tumor formation.
Researchers found a significant association between psoriasis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) severity, with higher psoriasis severity linked to more severe hepatic damage. The study suggests that patients with both conditions should be closely monitored and managed to prevent worsening of both diseases.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified three new sub-types of cells involved in liver scarring, accelerating the disease progression. The discovery is expected to accelerate the development of new treatments for liver diseases, which affect one in five people in the UK.
Researchers created a comprehensive atlas of human liver cell changes during fetal development, revealing how stem cells support high oxygen demand. The study improves our understanding of normal development and will aid efforts to tackle diseases like leukemia and immune disorders.
Researchers at UMD have identified a new pathway by which liver macrophages capture fungi in the bloodstream, preventing their spread and potentially treating various types of fungal infections. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, which kill 1.5 million people worldwide each year.
A study from University of California - San Diego outlines a fundamental process for liver macrophage specialization, enabling future research into macrophage malfunction's contribution to liver disease. The team identified key genetic and molecular changes that occur during the two-week differentiation process.
Researchers found that high fructose diets specifically inhibit the liver's ability to metabolize fat, while glucose improves fat-burning function. High fructose diets damage liver mitochondria, leading to an increase in fatty liver disease risk and metabolic syndrome.
A large registry-based study found that current scoring systems have moderate reliability in predicting severe liver disease risk. The study identified individuals with normal scores as being at a very low risk of developing severe liver disease, highlighting the need for new methods to detect those at higher risk.
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's developed the world's first three-organoid system, growing a connected set of mini human organs including liver, pancreas, and biliary ducts. The breakthrough allows for studying organ function in concert, reducing animal-based medication studies and accelerating precision medicine.
The prevalence of NAFLD is rising due to a preventable epidemic, with over half of adults and one third of children classified as overweight or obese. The condition is linked to lack of physical activity, excess calorie intake, and sugary drinks.
A recent UCSF study revealed that unauthorized immigrant recipients of liver transplants in the US have similar three-year survival rates as US citizens. Despite this, disparities in access to life-saving organs vary widely by state due to policies and provider attitudes.
Researchers found that microcystin can significantly amplify non-alcoholic fatty liver disease even at low levels. The toxin was processed differently in the kidneys of mice with pre-existing liver disease, suggesting a need for special preventative guidelines.
Researchers discovered that a common type of gut bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, produces high levels of alcohol in the body and can cause liver damage even in non-drinkers. The study found that 60% of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) had high- and medium-alcohol-producing K. pneumonia in their gut.
A new study found that even short-term reduction in physical activity led to decreased cardiorespiratory fitness, increased waist circumference, and insulin resistance in healthy adults. Resuming normal activity levels reversed these effects, highlighting the importance of staying physically active to offset negative consequences.
This observational study found that frailty and increased risk of death on the liver transplant waiting list differ by body mass index. The study suggests that heavier candidates may be more susceptible to mortality during the wait period.
Researchers at UNIGE found that the liver can produce glucose independently of hormonal signals, challenging the long-held belief about its role in glucose regulation. This autonomous glucose production may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in patients with a fatty liver syndrome.
A new study in Diabetologia reveals that shorter individuals are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research found that for every 10cm increase in height, the risk of type 2 diabetes decreased by 41% in men and 33% in women, adjusted for age and other factors.
A new technique has been developed to improve donated liver preservation by super-cooling it to subzero temperatures, allowing for a significant extension of the time it can be stored outside the body. This breakthrough could greatly expand organ availability and reduce discard rates.
Researchers develop new method to preserve human livers for transplantation, extending viability from 9 hours to up to 27 hours. The new protocol uses a combination of technologies to prevent ice nucleation and deliver protective solution uniformly throughout the organ.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that vitamin E absorption does not require concurrent consumption with fat. After 12 hours without eating, subjects who consumed a fat-containing meal showed significant absorption of vitamin E.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a lab-on-a-chip platform to study non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression. The platform allows for detailed studies of NAFLD's effects on liver cells and evaluates the potential of investigational drugs.
Researchers from The Westmead Institute for Medical Research have discovered how fatty liver disease develops in lean people. Lean patients tend to have worse outcomes due to an 'obesity-resistant' profile, despite having higher levels of bile acids and FGF19, which increase energy expenditure.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics found that female rats who binge drink experience more severe liver injury than male rats. The research discovered nearly four times as much fatty build-up in the livers of female rats, triggering additional inflammation and damage.
Researchers have discovered that chronic liver diseases can cause cerebral molecular disturbances as early as two weeks after liver malfunction, even without physical symptoms. The study found two new molecules involved in the disease process: creatine and vitamin C.
The study reveals a high-definition picture of cell-to-cell signaling in the liver, identifying cellular changes that could drive nonalcoholic steatohepatitis progression. Single-cell analysis also uncovers new information about star-shaped cells and their role in liver fibrosis.
A recent study published by Mount Sinai researchers found that fluoride exposure may contribute to complex changes in kidney and liver function among youth in the US. The findings suggest that adolescents with poorer kidney or liver function may absorb more fluoride, highlighting potential health concerns.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have successfully grown genetically modified miniature human livers in a laboratory setting. These mini livers mimic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression and can be used to test therapeutics, providing a valuable tool for understanding and treating diseases.
A team of researchers has developed a method to establish multicellular human liver organoids that show liver tissue characteristics down to the gene and protein scale. The livers were triggered with liver diseases, such as steatohepatitis, and showed increased levels of fibrosis indicators.
A retrospective review of 304 patients found that aspirin therapy improved lab values and overall survival post-TAE for HCC, with lower bilirubin levels at 1 day, 1 month, and 1 year after embolization. Aspirin use was also associated with longer median overall survival period after TAE.
Researchers discovered an association between liver function and Alzheimer's disease, finding evidence of metabolic disturbance and altered liver enzymes linked to cognitive impairment. The study used blood-based biochemical markers of liver function to uncover connections with established Alzheimer's biomarkers.
Researchers at King's College London have identified a new type of cell called hepatobiliary hybrid progenitor (HHyP) that can regenerate liver tissue. HHyPs exhibit stem cell-like properties and may be able to repair liver damage, potentially bypassing the need for transplants.
A study published in the Journal of Endocrinology found that high levels of caffeine during pregnancy can lead to lower birth weights, altered growth hormone levels, and impaired liver development. The study suggests that excessive prenatal caffeine consumption may increase the risk of fatty liver disease in adulthood.
Researchers discovered that giving antibiotics to mice and humans before a liver transplant led to improved liver function after surgery. The treatment inhibited bacteria causing inflammation, reducing organ rejection and accelerating cell removal, resulting in better outcomes for patients.
A recent study published in PLoS One found a link between the gene AEBP1 and severe liver damage, specifically nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The research suggests that AEBP1 regulates a network of genes related to fibrosis, which could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating liver disease.
Michelle Long, MD, MSc, assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, has been awarded a three-year, $495,000 Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award to investigate the relationship between physical activity and NAFLD. The study aims to identify biomarkers of early disease and risk for progression.
A new study published in Annals of Surgery highlights the advantages of living-donor liver transplant over deceased donor transplants, including better three-year survival rates for patients and lower hospital costs. The findings suggest that living donation should be considered the first option for most patients with liver disease.
A comprehensive cell atlas of the human liver reveals previously unknown subtypes of liver cells, including hepatocytes, endothelial cells, and macrophages. The study provides unprecedented resolution into liver cell diversity and how it changes during development or upon disease progression.
Scientists at University of Utah Health and Merck Research Laboratories found that altering the production of ceramides can reverse insulin resistance and fatty liver disease in obese mice. By deactivating an enzyme called DES1, they lowered total ceramide levels, improving metabolic health.
A new intelligent liver function test has been developed to detect liver disease decades before it can become fatal. The test has shown a 44% increase in diagnosis of liver disease, giving patients earlier access to treatment.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have identified a new way the liver regenerates itself, involving the redistribution of epigenetic marks. By removing key epigenetic regulators, they found that genes were activated early and sustained during regeneration, providing a significant advance in understanding liver regeneration.
Researchers found a 14-gene signature that predicts two-year transplant-free survival in children with biliary atresia. The antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine reduced liver injury and fibrosis, increasing survival times in mouse models.
A new multi-organ-on-a-chip system accurately captures chemotherapies' toxic effects on liver and other organs. The technology enables flexible testing of different organ systems, potentially leading to more accurate drug development and personalized therapies.
A genetic mutation in the IL18BP gene has been identified as a cause of fatal response to hepatitis A infection. Targeting this pathway may prevent liver failure and death from viral infection.
A genetic study found that genes regulating iron metabolism are responsible for excess liver iron in populations of European ancestry. The research suggests a systemic and not organ-related problem, with implications for treatment and therapy.
A study by Brazilian scientists shows that moderate strength and weight training can reduce liver fat and improve blood sugar control in obese and diabetic individuals. The exercise protocol reduced local fat in the liver and improved cellular insulin signaling, even before significant weight loss occurred.
Researchers at Georgia State University have developed a non-invasive method for detecting liver fibrosis using machine-learning algorithms and ultrasound scans. This technology has the potential to improve early diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases, which affect millions worldwide.
A recent study published in the Journal of Hepatology found that a low-carb Mediterranean diet reduced liver fat by 30% and visceral fat by 25%, compared to low-fat diets. The study suggests that reducing hepatic fat is a more effective predictor of long-term health risks than visceral fat.
A new blood test shows promise in replacing liver biopsies for children with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), a condition affecting one in 10 children. The test detects different types of fats in the blood, indicating inflammation and scarring.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) suppresses the immune response by triggering SOCS regulators, dulling the normal immune response to viral infection. This allows HCV to survive, replicate and infect other cells, making it undiagnosed for months after initial infection.
Recent advances in stem cell biology have enabled long-term culturing of organotypic intestinal or hepatic tissues derived from tissue-resident or pluripotent stem cells. Organoids can recapitulate the in vivo architecture, functionality, and genetic signature of the corresponding tissue.
New research reveals that tissues can respond to light changes independently of the central clock in the brain, maintaining minimal functions even when other tissues fail. This autonomy has significant implications for health, particularly in regards to premature aging and pathologies caused by daily phase differences.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center develop human liver organoids that accurately mimic key features of fatal liver diseases. The study reveals molecular secrets of deadly ailments and tests a potential therapy for Wolman disease, reversing an often-fatal childhood condition.
A new study by UCI researchers found that body parts like the liver and skin have internal clocks that respond to light changes, regardless of the brain's central clock. This discovery has significant implications for understanding circadian rhythms, aging processes, and overall well-being.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School and NHCS found that deactivating IL11 with therapeutic antibodies reverses inflammation and scarring in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This breakthrough has implications for the development of drugs to treat NASH, a common condition affecting millions worldwide.