Articles tagged with Liver
A new machine learning model predicts the time of death for organ donors, enabling more efficient liver transplants. The model outperformed surgeon judgment and reduced futile procurements by 60%, making the transplant process more efficient and potentially allowing more candidates to receive a transplant.
Researchers at UCSF used AI to analyze clinical notes from multiple providers to improve HRS diagnosis accuracy. The technology offers a unified summary of the care team's consensus, aligning care decisions and expediting treatment plans.
The study identifies biliary atresia splenic malformation syndrome (BASM) as the most prevalent syndromic form of biliary atresia, associated with polysplenia, situs inversus, and vascular anomalies. Genetic analyses highlight PKD1L1 and CFC1 pathways involved in nodal signaling and cardiac development.
Steatotic liver disease, caused by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosis, alcohol-related liver disease, and more, affects over 30% of adults worldwide. Emerging genetic variants like PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and MBOAT7 modulate susceptibility to SLD, which progresses to cancer through cumulative genomic instability and immune dysregulation.
A multidisciplinary research team discovered that liver alterations associated with metabolic dysfunction can cause cognitive and neurological impairments. The effects were reversed by a therapy targeting the liver, establishing a 'liver-brain axis'. This finding opens up new therapeutic avenues for treating metabolic liver disease.
Researchers discovered a dual mechanism by which Oroxylin A inhibits SIRT7, reprogramming HSCs through PRMT5 succinylation-driven senescence and ecto-calreticulin-dependent NK cell immune clearance. This approach provides a promising candidate for anti-fibrotic therapy.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered that Lawsone, a chemical derived from Lawsonia inermis, can reduce markers of liver fibrosis and promote antioxidant functions in hepatic stellate cells. The study suggests that Lawsone could be used to control and even reverse the effects of fibrosis.
A new study links exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical used in dry cleaning and found in consumer products, to an increased risk of significant liver fibrosis. The study found that people exposed to PCE were three times more likely to develop the condition, regardless of other health factors.
Researchers have developed microscopic nanoparticles that can seek out and attach to damaged liver cells, helping to stop disease progression. The nanoparticles are engineered to recognize and selectively bind to a protein found only on Kupffer cells in the liver, promoting anti-inflammatory behavior and delivering medicine directly to...
A pioneering case of pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation has been successfully demonstrated, with the genetically engineered porcine liver functioning for an extended period in a human recipient. The patient survived for 171 days despite complications such as xenotransplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.
Researchers developed a novel real-time biosensing platform for detecting liver function impairment via WGM laser technology, enabling highly sensitive detection of ALT. The system uses functionalized liquid crystal microcavities to generate an optical response to pH variations induced by the ALT-catalyzed enzymatic reaction.
A new study reveals that both sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages (LNSSBs) are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Replacing either beverage with water significantly reduces MASLD risk.
The CityUHK team is developing two core therapeutic medicines using state-of-the-art DNA surgery technology to treat liver and cardiovascular genetic diseases. Their approach offers a durable and long-lasting solution, eliminating the need for repeated medications.
A simple blood analysis can predict the risk of developing severe liver disease, enabling earlier detection and potentially improving treatment outcomes. The CORE model, developed by Karolinska Institutet researchers, is based on three routine blood tests and has been shown to be highly accurate in predicting liver disease risk.
UCLA researchers have identified two key proteins, HuR and CEACAM1, that act as protective switches to prevent damage in damaged livers. By boosting this protection, organs deemed unsuitable for transplantation could be made suitable for use.
A new study found that high blood pressure, pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol are the three deadliest cardiometabolic risk factors for MASLD patients, with risks of death increasing by 40%, 25%, and 15% respectively. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to reach its conclu...
A genetic mutation found in East Asian people, ALDH2*2, impairs the detoxification of aldehydes produced by environmental exposure, leading to an 'aldehyde storm' that causes severe liver damage. Healthy choices like increasing antioxidants and limiting smoke exposure may reduce the risk.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that excessive alcohol alters an enzyme that recycles damaged proteins, leading to the accumulation of fat in liver cells. The study suggests that targeting this enzyme could prevent or treat fatty liver disease.
A new investigational drug, ION224, shows promise in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease. By targeting the DGAT2 enzyme, the drug helps reduce fat buildup and inflammation, two major drivers of liver damage.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that chronic alcohol use impairs gut bacterial regulation. This allows bacteria to migrate to the liver, worsening ALD. Targeting this mechanism with existing drugs may provide a new approach to minimizing liver damage from alcohol use.
Transthyretin amyloidosis has transitioned from a fatal underdiagnosed disease to one with multiple effective treatment avenues, including gene editing and targeted therapies that have shown significant improvements in neuropathy scores and quality of life. Ongoing clinical trials aim to halt and potentially reverse disease progression.
In acute liver failure and cirrhosis, adrenomedullin increases in circulating monocytes, while adrenomedullin binding protein decreases, leading to a pro-inflammatory phenotype. ADM restores MerTK expression after LPS stimulation, promoting a pro-restorative function.
The study demonstrates that modulating the vagus nerve can effectively halt the progression of cachexia, enhance chemotherapy outcomes, and improve survival in preclinical models. This intervention restores normal liver metabolism, reduces systemic inflammation, and alleviates cachectic symptoms.
The new guidelines introduce a pivotal terminology shift, replacing NAFLD with MASLD and NASH with MASH. MASLD is now grouped under the umbrella of "steatotic liver disease" (SLD), along with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and other causes.
Researchers developed a human liver organoid platform that closely replicates the liver's region-specific functional architecture, enabling disease modeling and drug screening. The system demonstrated high sensitivity in pharmacological assays and supported region-specific hepatocyte differentiation.
Researchers map the path from liver fibrosis to cancer, revealing how scarred liver tissue becomes a breeding ground for tumor growth. Key findings include the role of hepatic stellate cells and dysregulated signaling pathways in remodeling the liver into a pro-tumor environment.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease by upregulating the TXNIP gene in ductular cells. The study provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of liver diseases and offers a potential therapeutic target for improving outcomes.
A comprehensive review in Current Molecular Pharmacology explores the mechanisms of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and emerging treatments. Effective strategies include antioxidant administration, surgical preconditioning, and herbal compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Researchers used machine learning to predict patient outcomes in hospitalized cirrhosis patients, outperforming traditional methods. The study found that AI can help hospital teams triage and prioritize patients more effectively.
A new study found that four high-risk population groups - women, adults 45 and older, those living in poverty, and people with metabolic syndrome - are driving the increase. The study also showed that average drinking rates remained unchanged over 20 years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This study identifies ANXA2+ migratory hepatocytes as crucial for liver regeneration, highlighting their role in promoting wound closure and treating acute liver failure. The research also explores the therapeutic potential of targeting these cells, offering new avenues for regenerative medicine approaches in hepatology.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine sheds light on age-related liver changes that may lead to chronic diseases. The research reveals that aging disrupts the functional organization of liver cells, causing inflammation and impaired metabolism.
A novel 3D culture method enables self-organization of precursor cell types into functional liver organoids capable of producing essential clotting factors. The breakthrough advances organoid-based therapies, drug testing, and disease modeling for liver diseases, including hemophilia A.
The study found a significant increase in extremely severe obesity among US children and adolescents, leading to severe metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Extremely severe obesity was linked to conditions like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, prediabetes or diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
A randomized clinical trial found that cannabidiol (CBD) administration led to liver enzyme level elevations in 5.6% of participants and potential drug-induced liver injury in 4.9%. Hepatic enzymes returned to normal within weeks after discontinuation. Further research is needed on CBD's long-term effects and safety.
Researchers found that combining RFA with anti-PD-1 therapy significantly suppressed non-ablated distant HCC tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice. The treatment remodeled the immune microenvironment, promoting durable immune memory against tumor recurrence.
The study proposes a modified ResUNet approach for automated liver segmentation from CT images, achieving high precision and accuracy. The model outperforms traditional methods, demonstrating stable performance in cross-dataset tests.
Researchers have identified a gene signature indicative of hepatic ferroptosis using an iron overload-induced mouse model and validated it in human liver injury systems. The study highlights the role of ferroptosis in liver injuries and offers potential therapeutic targets.
A research team at Osaka Metropolitan University has developed an AI model that can detect fatty liver disease from chest X-ray images with an accuracy rate of 0.82-0.83. This breakthrough has the potential to improve early detection and treatment of the disease, which affects one in four people worldwide.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have successfully grown liver tissue that can produce its own internal blood vessels. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for people living with hemophilia and those experiencing acute or chronic liver failure, as the liver organoids can secrete coagulation factors.
A study by Toho University researchers reveals a cellular communication network that promotes liver fibrosis. FGF18 and osteopontin enhance the production of OPN, which activates quiescent stellate cells to propagate fibrotic activity. This discovery highlights the critical roles of these molecules in driving liver fibrosis.
This cross-sectional study reveals a substantial rise in alcohol-associated liver disease mortality, particularly among women and younger adults. The findings highlight the importance of targeted public health initiatives to address this growing health concern.
A clinical trial found that dapagliflozin improved metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis in patients with progressive liver disease, a condition affecting over 5% of adults. The treatment also showed resolution of inflammation and improvement without worsening of fibrosis.
Scientists at UC San Francisco discovered how pancreatic cancer cells metastasize to the lungs or liver using the PCSK9 protein. PCSK9 controls cholesterol acquisition, with low levels favoring the liver and high levels supporting lung adaptation.
Surgeons at Mount Sinai performed the world's first heart-liver-kidney triple organ transplants in New York State, with two patients making full recoveries after the surgeries. The procedures were led by Anelechi Anyanwu and Sander S. Florman and represent a significant milestone in complex organ transplantation.
A new study published in Science Advances reveals that a single gene plays a big role in how the liver stores energy, which is critical for overall health and managing diseases like type 2 diabetes. The research found that when this gene is more active, the liver tends to store more energy as glycogen.
The USPSTF recommends early, universal screening for syphilis infection during pregnancy to prevent congenital syphilis. Untreated syphilis can cause premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth in the fetus.
Researchers discovered a key step in the hepatic ERK pathway that triggers insulin production in response to colonic inflammation caused by obesity. The study reveals a novel role of the gastrointestinal tract in regulating glucose homeostasis.
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that patients with low household income were more likely to be diagnosed late and receive less effective treatment for liver cancer. This highlights the need for targeted screening in deprived areas to improve early diagnosis and survival rates.
This study found that intestinal depletion of TM6SF2 exacerbates high-fat diet-induced MASLD by altering the gut microbiota and liver lipid content. The absence of TM6SF2 also led to increased serum biomarkers associated with MASLD progression.
Researchers found novel prognostic scores, such as MELD 3.0/GEMA-Na, exhibit superior discrimination and predictive ability for all-cause mortality up to two years in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. The study suggests these scores are essential for risk stratification and may improve patient outcomes.
This study explored the immune dynamics across different phases of HBV infection, identifying key factors influencing T cell function and liver priming. The research team uncovered distinct types of intrahepatic T lymphocytes and dual roles of DC-SIGN+ macrophages in modulating immune responses.
Researchers identified five blood proteins that can predict liver disease up to 16 years before symptoms. The combined levels of these proteins achieved high accuracy in predicting disease onset and progression, suggesting potential for early diagnosis and treatment.
The study found that serum-derived hsa_circ_101555 showed excellent diagnostic accuracy in differentiating HCC patients from healthy controls. It also demonstrated a prognostic role in predicting tumor progression and response to therapy, with significant correlations with markers of liver inflammation and tumor features.
A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that exercise can improve brain health and mitigate cognitive decline, even when ketone production in the liver is impaired. The research found that endurance exercise can prevent cognitive impairment caused by compromised hepatic ketogenesis.
Researchers believe that post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) is caused by the body's response to remnants of the Borrelia burgdorferi cell wall, which persists in the liver. The unique structural properties of this peptidoglycan molecule promote its persistence and may lead to a stronger immune response in some individuals.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered a rare genetic variant that can directly cause metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. The MET gene malfunction leads to fat accumulation, inflammation, and scarring, potentially progressing to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Researchers found that obesity causes a disruption in the liver's ability to adapt to starvation, specifically in the temporal coordination of molecules. This suggests that obesity makes the body more vulnerable to the negative effects of starvation, despite no significant structural disruptions in the molecular network.
Researchers investigated the therapeutic mechanisms of ursolic acid on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Ursolic acid was found to reduce inflammation by modulating estrogen conversion via HSD17B14, a crucial enzyme regulating estrogen balance.
This study found that inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 reduces liver ferroptosis and fibrosis by upregulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. COX-2 inhibition also restored antioxidant defenses in hepatocytes, reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.