Articles tagged with Liver
Advanced inflamed vascular plaques associated with progressive liver disease, supporting systemic effects of chronic unresolved inflammation. Researchers test oral delivery of omega-3 fatty acids to treat inflammation without unwanted side effects.
Researchers found that naked mole-rat breeders have changed aging rates, living longer than non-breeders due to higher resistance to muscle loss during aging. The study suggests that genetic mechanisms underlying social suppression of sexual maturation may contribute to their exceptional lifespan.
A new study found that injectable trace minerals alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress in lactating Holstein cows exposed to aflatoxin. The researchers discovered that the minerals increased liver concentrations of selenium and iron and boosted serum glutathione peroxidase activity.
A new study found that genetic variation in Caucasians with chronic hepatitis B infection increases the risk of severe liver damage and inflammation. Researchers identified a link between the STAT4 gene and liver fibrosis, suggesting that genetic factors may play a role in disease progression.
Researchers found that mice with obesity develop new liver circadian rhythms that impact fat accumulation and burning, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for treating obesity-related liver diseases. Administering drugs at specific times when PPAR-alpha is most active could enhance effectiveness and reduce toxicity.
Researchers found reduced levels of plasmalogens in the liver are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and other biomarkers of neurodegeneration. The study suggests that a deficiency in these lipids could lead to the eventual destruction of peroxisomes, increasing Alzheimer's risk.
Studies investigate how changes in gut bacteria and lipid metabolism may influence brain health and cognitive decline. Research suggests that altered plasmalogens production by the liver may result in reduced availability of critical lipids to the brain, contributing to impaired cognitive function and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's.
A new study reveals a significant increase in liver deaths due to cirrhosis among young adults, with the highest fatalities among whites, American Indians, and Hispanics. The rise is attributed entirely to alcohol-related liver disease, highlighting the need for prevention strategies such as taxes on alcohol and reducing marketing.
A TGen-led study has found a link between DNA methylation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese patients. The research identified four genes that may represent potential targets for new therapeutics.
A study found a 65% increase in cirrhosis deaths and a doubling of liver cancer deaths among US adults between 1999 and 2016. Young people aged 25-34 experienced the highest average annual increase in cirrhosis deaths, driven by alcohol-related liver disease.
Researchers at BIDMC developed the BE3A score to predict improvement in liver function after DAA therapy for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The online scoring system assesses 5 baseline factors to provide a shared decision-making tool for physicians and patients.
Researchers have identified specific lipid species in the blood and liver that correlate with healthy or fatty liver states. These findings suggest that measuring individual lipid species may provide a more accurate diagnosis of metabolic diseases such as NAFLD, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers have developed genetically humanized mice that can be persistently infected with Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV), a common cause of liver fibrosis and cancer. The mice were able to rid themselves of the virus before showing any liver damage, making them an ideal model for testing new treatments.
Researchers at UCalgary have discovered that the antidepressant mirtazapine may be an effective treatment for PBC, a rare and incurable liver disease. The study found that patients taking mirtazapine showed improved health outcomes compared to those without depression.
A study by ISGlobal reveals the presence of proteins from hypnozoites in circulating extracellular vesicles, providing a potential diagnostic tool for asymptomatic patients. This breakthrough could help identify and stop malaria vivax transmission, an essential requirement to achieve the WHO's target of eliminating malaria by 2030.
A new compound, DPM-1001, has shown promise in reducing copper levels in cells and improving symptoms of Wilson's disease. The study confirmed that the compound is orally available and specifically targets copper, reducing unwanted side effects.
Researchers identified a compound called phenylacetic acid (PAA) produced by gut bacteria linked to the early onset of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The study suggests PAA could be used as a biological marker in the clinic to identify patients at increased risk of disease.
A TGen-led study has identified significant gene expression patterns associated with obesity-related NASH inflammation and fibrosis. The researchers discovered 176 genes specific to fibrosis, revealing three cellular pathways and 16 previously associated genes.
A new approach for treating liver cirrhosis has been found with aleglitazar, which reduces inflammation and portal hypertension in rats with cirrhosis. Aleglitazar suppresses inflammation, vasoconstriction, angiogenesis, and tumor necrosis factor overproduction in cirrhotic rats.
A new decision-making tool called the BE3A score assesses 5 factors to predict improvement in liver function for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The scoring system will aid physicians in shared decision-making about HCV treatment, particularly for those awaiting liver transplantation.
Researchers developed a new ultrasound technology, time-harmonic elastography, to diagnose liver fibrosis in obese adolescents without invasive biopsies. The technology accurately distinguishes between patients with no or mild fibrosis and those with moderate or advanced fibrosis.
A new study finds that video consultations between primary care physicians and specialists improve liver disease care and increase patient survival rates. Patients who participated in these consultations had a 54% higher survival rate compared to those without access to virtual consultations.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that private insurers deny coverage for life-saving hepatitis C drugs at a rate of 52.4%, while Medicaid and Medicare deny treatment at 34.5% and 14.7% respectively. The high denial rates may be due to varying restrictions on reimbursements among states.
Researchers discovered a naturally occurring antibody that binds to oxidized phospholipids, blocking inflammation and preventing arterial plaque formation. The antibody protected mice from atherosclerosis, aortic stenosis, hepatic steatosis, and prolonged their lives.
A new Canadian guideline recommends screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people born between 1945 and 1975 due to high rates of infection. The guideline also advocates for curative therapy for all individuals affected by HCV, aiming to prevent premature death.
Researchers propose using viruses to restore normal functioning of cells' nuclei, potentially eradicating unwanted effects of aging. Wrinkled nuclear membranes may be responsible for metabolic diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver disease.
Researchers created a 'quick and robust' blood test that can detect liver fibrosis, the first stage of liver scarring, from a blood sample in 30-45 minutes. The new method uses polymers coated with fluorescent dyes to bind to blood proteins, offering a simple and inexpensive way to diagnose disease.
A new blood test can detect liver damage in 30-45 minutes, distinguishing between healthy and damaged individuals. The test could lead to earlier treatment and potentially save millions of lives.
Researchers found that gut bacteria can control antitumor immune responses in the liver by regulating bile acid metabolism and NKT cell accumulation. This discovery has implications for understanding liver cancer mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a lab-based system for studying Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), the most common cause of liver disease in the developed world. The new tool enables researchers to investigate biological mechanisms and develop effective treatments.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have shed light on intestinal failure-associated liver disease, a condition that affects people relying on IV nutrition due to intestinal damage. The study suggests three possible new targets for drug intervention to prevent or treat the disease.
A new study reveals that a malaria parasite manipulates liver cells to survive and reproduce, building strength before invading red blood cells. Disrupting this process by targeting the aquaporin-3 protein may lead to new treatments for malaria before symptoms appear.
Liver transplant centers are increasingly accepting transplants for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, showing positive outcomes and high one-year survival rates of over 90%. Centers use selective criteria to evaluate candidates, assessing medical history, social support, and psychiatric disorders.
A team led by CSHL Professor Douglas Fearon found that dormant cancer cells are already in the liver before surgery, expressing MHC1 and CK19 markers. In a post-operative stress-induced state, these cells re-express markers and begin to divide, forming seeds of metastatic lesions.
Duke researchers have identified a key fork in the road for the way the liver deals with carbohydrates, fats, and protein. By targeting BCAA breakdown, they found that activating this process reduces fat deposition in the liver and improves glucose regulation. This approach offers a promising new target for combating fatty liver disease.
A new 'scoring' system developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine enhances the prediction of survival in people with colorectal cancers that have spread to the liver. The system includes traditional Fong indicators plus genetic and morphological evaluation (GAME) factors, which outperform the existing Fong system in predicting patient outcomes.
A study reports that approximately half of young children with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) have received a liver transplant by age 10. Surgical biliary diversion was found to increase survival rates in children with mild or moderate PFIC2 mutations.
Researchers have discovered how nutmeg helps protect the liver, using a mouse animal model of liver toxicity. The spice was shown to restore healthy levels of lipids and acylcarnitines, and a specific compound, myrislignan, had a strong protective effect against liver damage.
Researchers developed a new method to study liver-stage malaria in vitro, using primary human liver cells on 384-well plates. This technique reduces costs and biomaterials requirements, making it more accessible for screening preclinical drugs and vaccines.
A recent study by Michigan Medicine has found that over one-third of cirrhosis cases are related to alcohol consumption, with women being disproportionately affected. The study reveals that patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis have higher healthcare costs and poorer health outcomes compared to those without the condition.
Researchers identified two tryptophan metabolites produced by gut bacteria that modulate inflammation, potentially reducing the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study found that these metabolites reduce cytokine levels and macrophage activity, which are key contributors to inflammation.
Scientists from Cincinnati Children's and UCSF have discovered a mechanism behind an unusual form of tissue regeneration in mice with Alagille syndrome, a rare liver disease. This discovery may lead to a viable treatment for human disease by instructing other types of liver cells to switch identities.
Researchers found that metastatic cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to capitalize on fructose levels in the liver, leading to unchecked growth and proliferation. This discovery could lead to new therapies targeting metastatic cells and provide insight into how cancers adapt to new environments.
A new study suggests that probiotics can improve liver health by reducing oxidative stress caused by acetaminophen. Researchers found that mice treated with the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG suffered less liver damage when exposed to a high dose of acetaminophen.
Researchers have identified new treatments for liver diseases, including the use of melatonin receptors to slow disease progression. Additionally, scientists have discovered potential therapeutic targets for acetaminophen-related liver damage and a link between non-coding RNA and alcoholic liver disease.
A new Mayo Clinic study reveals that transplanted livers regulate the host's immune responses and have a protective effect on other organs. This finding may pave the way for reduced immunosuppression needs in transplant patients.
A single treatment of fecal microbiota transplantation produces sustained clinical and cognitive improvements in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. The study showed significant reductions in HE episodes and hospitalizations, as well as improvements in cognitive function over 1 year.
Sebelipase alfa and two investigational RNAi therapeutics, givosiran and ARO-AAT, demonstrate positive findings in treating lysosomal acid lipase deficiency and acute intermittent porphyria. Long-term tolerability and improvements in liver injury markers are observed.
A new study has reported a good correlation between an automated image analysis system and an expert reviewer for the identification of key markers of NASH disease activity in a pre-clinical model. The study used deep-learning algorithms applied to open-source pathology software (QuPath1) to accurately identify cell histology patterns ...
A nationwide US study confirms a significant decrease in liver transplant probabilities for HCC patients between 2005-2007 and 2014-2016. Patients with Medicaid insurance were less likely to receive transplants than those with private/commercial insurance.
A study analyzed outcomes and costs for German patients with NAFLD/NASH who developed compensated cirrhosis, finding significant increases in comorbidities, mortality, and healthcare costs. The study highlights the need for new treatment options to improve patient outcomes.
Phase 2 studies of tropifexor and seladelpar demonstrate potent anti-cholestatic and anti-inflammatory activity without increasing pruritus. Tropifexor and seladelpar are being explored as potential treatments for patients with primary biliary cholangitis, a progressive liver disease.
NGM282, an engineered analogue of FGF19, inhibits bile acid synthesis and decreases markers of hepatic inflammation in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Significant reductions in serum levels of ALT and AST were observed in the NGM282 3 mg/day treatment group.
Two nationwide hepatitis C elimination programs in Georgia and Iceland have reported high levels of engagement, initiation of direct-acting antiviral agents, and cure among patients chronically infected with HCV. In Georgia, over 90% of diagnosed individuals were cured, while in Iceland, the prevalence of active HCV infection among peo...
A study found that budesonide add-on therapy improves biochemical markers of disease activity but fails to improve liver histology in high-risk patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Budesonide was shown to produce clinically meaningful improvements in serum alkaline phosphatase levels.
Patients with NAFLD achieved similar weight loss and normalized liver enzymes through a web-based lifestyle modification programme. The study suggested that the degree of weight loss was likely to have resulted in fibrosis regression.
The study confirms that long-term OCA treatment leads to reversal or stabilization of fibrosis/cirrhosis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who have had an incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The majority of patients improved or maintained their histological stage, while two patients deteriorated.
A real-world study found that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) after direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) treatment have lower all-cause mortality. Achieving SVR reduced mortality from both liver-related and unrelated causes at all stages of disease.
The percentage of liver transplants performed due to HCV infection has more than halved since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs. Post-transplant survival rates among those with HCV infection are now similar to those with HBV infection, reaching an all-time high.
The SORAMIC study found no overall survival benefit of adding selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) to sorafenib for patients with unresectable primary liver cancer. However, subgroup analyses suggested possible survival benefits in younger patients and those with certain cirrhosis characteristics.