Articles tagged with Liver
A Canadian study found that biannual ultrasound screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis after achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) to direct-acting antiviral agents is likely to be cost-effective. However, surveillance is unlikely to be cost-effective in patients wit...
A global study found that 34% of bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis across the world are multi-drug resistant, with significant regional differences. The risk of developing a multi-drug-resistant infection was higher in Asia, particularly India, and among patients who had recently received antibiotics.
Researchers developed personalized T cell adoptive immunotherapy for patients with HBV-related HCC, resulting in an objective positive response with volumetric reduction of lung lesions and no new lesions detected. The therapy showed promise with no therapy-related adverse events.
A large-scale study in Punjab, India found that mass treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection using decentralized care and generic DAAs resulted in high cure rates among almost 20,000 individuals. The study validated the efficacy and safety of this approach, with over 90% of patients achieving sustained virological response.
A Swedish study found that statins significantly reduce the risk of death, liver transplantation, and variceal bleeding in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. The study also showed a reduced risk of these outcomes in patients receiving azathioprine but not ursodeoxycholic acid.
Researchers found that hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals and are linked to blood-borne transmission, highlighting the importance of HEV RNA screening of all blood products destined for transplant or immunosuppressed patients. The studies also show that HEV infection has been increasing ste...
A new assay using droplet digital PCR has been developed to detect closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in serum, single cells, and preserved tissue samples. This allows for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and more effective treatment.
A prospective study found that linkage to care specialists can facilitate rapid access to hepatitis C treatment, with 60% of patients initiated on treatment. The study highlights the importance of increasing HCV diagnosis and treatment to meet WHO goals by 2030.
DAAs therapy in Scotland significantly reduced HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis presentations, with a 29-39% reduction. Early treatment initiation also showed lower lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years.
Two real-world studies from Italy and Germany report high rates of viral suppression and favourable safety profiles for glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic HCV infection. The treatment was found to be effective across a range of different patient types, with over 98% achieving sustained virological response.
The HEPAHEALTH Project Report reveals a significant increase in liver disease mortality in Europe and Central Asia, driven by high alcohol consumption and obesity rates. The report emphasizes the need for effective prevention strategies to mitigate this growing health concern.
A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fermented milk products, and coffee has been shown to improve gut microbial diversity and reduce hospitalization risk in patients with liver cirrhosis. The study found that Turkish individuals had higher microbial diversity compared to US participants.
A study found that the Italian outbreak is predominantly caused by strains linked to recent European outbreaks, highlighting the risk of acute HAV infection via sexual transmission in high-risk groups like MSM. The study also emphasizes the importance of hepatitis A vaccine coverage and awareness campaigns for prevention.
The animated short film aims to raise public awareness about the challenges of liver failure and liver cirrhosis. The film highlights the DIALIVE technology, a novel liver dialysis device undergoing clinical trials to assess its safety and efficacy.
Alcoholic liver disease has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the US, surpassing hepatitis C infection, according to two studies. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also on the rise, ranking second as a cause of liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.
Research by BfR scientists reveals that inflammatory processes disrupt liver enzyme function, impairing detoxification capabilities. Fatty liver cells treated with inflammation-promoting substances showed reduced ability to break down foreign substances.
Stanford researchers discover that telomerase-expressing liver cells can rapidly regenerate the liver during normal turnover or tissue damage. These rare cells are evenly distributed throughout the liver's lobules and play a crucial role in enabling the organ to replace damaged cells, potentially leading to cancer.
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that children as young as 8 years old with obesity are at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Elevated waist circumference at age 3 and increased weight gain between ages 3 and 8 are associated with higher levels of a liver enzyme called ALT.
Researchers found that a liver enzyme increases abdominal fat inflammation in obese mice, leading to insulin resistance. Soothing this inflammation improves insulin sensitivity without affecting weight.
Empagliflozin, a treatment for type 2 diabetes, has been shown to reduce liver fat in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study found that patients receiving empagliflozin experienced a significant decrease in liver fat compared to those on standard treatment alone.
A new study suggests that e-cigarette use may lead to an accumulation of fat in the liver, potentially detrimental to health. Researchers found changes in 433 genes associated with fatty liver development and progression in mice exposed to e-cigarettes.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified a cell process called senescence as a contributing factor to bile duct disease and liver failure. The study found that blocking chemical messages sent by cells during senescence restores liver function in mice, pointing towards new treatment targets.
A new study in mice suggests that a weakened gut barrier may contribute to autoimmune disease. Researchers found that certain bacteria, such as <i>Enterococcus gallinarum</i>, can leak out of the intestines and trigger an autoimmune response similar to what's seen in lupus.
A new Yale study reveals that gut bacteria can travel to other organs and trigger an autoimmune response. Researchers found that suppressing the growth of Enterococcus gallinarum with an antibiotic or vaccine can suppress autoimmunity in mice with chronic autoimmune conditions.
A phase II clinical trial showed that NGM282 significantly reduced liver fat content in patients with NAFLD and NASH. The treatment, a non-tumorigenic variant of an endocrine gastrointestinal hormone, has no FDA-approved treatments for these conditions.
Research found that fetal exposure to high-fat diets can lead to fatty liver development, increasing the risk of childhood obesity and metabolic diseases. The study identified microRNAs playing a role in this process, shedding light on potential strategies to combat childhood obesity.
The research developed mini-livers that can mimic fetal development and function, generating hepatocytes and bile ducts. This advancement may lead to improved treatments for congenital liver diseases.
A new scanning technology could almost halve the number of liver biopsies carried out on people with fatty liver disease. The study used digital image scanning to diagnose liver disease and found it to be superior to other tests in grading disease severity and excluding patients at increased risk.
Researchers found that outcomes for alternatives to whole liver transplantation, such as splitting a liver or using a part from a living donor, have improved for pediatric patients. These findings suggest opportunities for an increased organ supply and better use of those organs, potentially saving more lives.
Salk researchers have identified how the liver rapidly responds to food by storing pre-RNA molecules involved in glucose and fat metabolism. This finding could help better understand metabolism and some forms of diabetes.
Recent studies investigate the role of cholesterol and other lipids in blood circulation, discovering a correlation between bad cholesterol levels and muscle damage in muscular dystrophy patients. Another study reveals a synergistic effect of hepatitis B and alcohol on cholesterol metabolism, increasing biosynthesis and impairing uptake.
A peptide called catestatin has been shown to improve glucose and insulin tolerance and reduce body weight in obese mice. CST treatment also inhibited liver inflammation and reduced fatty liver.
Researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Yokohama City University report a high-volume production method for bioengineered human gut and liver tissues that avoids tumor risks. The new approach uses genetically stable posterior gut endodermal progenitor cells, which can be programmed to form different tissue ty...
Research suggests that excessive sugar intake can be harmful, especially to the liver, due to insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A new mouse study shows that moderate amounts of fruit sugar will not reach the liver.
Researchers discovered that a biological clock protein can alleviate symptoms and increase survival rates in fulminant hepatitis by regulating inflammation. The study found that injecting a molecule potentiating the action of this protein reduced the inflammatory response and improved outcomes.
Researchers found PQQ can prevent fatty liver disease progression in young mice fed a high-fat diet by protecting their microbiome. The study suggests that maternal diet affects offspring's gut health, leading to an increased risk of developing the disease.
A major new study confirms that drinking during late adolescence can predict the risk of developing liver disease later in life. The study found that even low levels of daily alcohol consumption can lead to severe liver disease in men, suggesting that current guidelines for safe drinking may need to be revised.
Scientists from TWINCORE published insights on processes involved in liver inflammation, highlighting the importance of Kupffer cells in regulating inflammatory responses. Type I interferons trigger Kupffer cells to take up infected cells and undergo apoptosis, while also delaying regeneration of immune cells.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a mathematical model for computing radiation therapy treatments that could substantially reduce patient side effects while delivering the same results as conventional radiation therapy. The new approach, known as spatiotemporal fractionation, delivers different doses to part...
Researchers discovered that a hormone therapy combination of conjugated estrogens and bazedoxifene improves metabolism, prevents weight gain, and reduces inflammation in the liver. The treatment also showed no increased risk of reproductive cancer.
The new guidelines recommend a set of blood tests to diagnose patients with liver disease, including bilirubin, albumin, and liver enzymes. They also provide guidance on how to manage patients with abnormal test results, aiming to reduce unnecessary repeat testing for those unlikely to have significant liver disease.
A modeling study by Massachusetts General Hospital investigators finds that antiviral drugs can reduce the risk of complications from HCV-positive liver transplantation. The study suggests that HCV-negative patients with severe liver disease may benefit from receiving an HCV-positive liver followed by antiviral treatment.
Researchers found that mTOR stimulates liver tumor formation through increased lipid synthesis. The study shows how mTORC2 promotes the new synthesis of fatty acids and lipids in hepatocytes, enabling rapid cell growth and energy production.
A South American amphibian, Siphonops annulatus, has a liver that produces blood cells throughout its lifetime and breaks down collagen. Researchers found melanomacrophages in the species' liver cells can remove and break down collagen, potentially helping to prevent cirrhosis.
Scientists have successfully developed a biologically accurate mass-production platform for bioengineering human liver tissues suitable for therapeutic transplant into people. The new process allows researchers to generate single batches of up to 20,000 genetically matched, three-dimensional and highly functional liver micro-buds.
A study analyzing over 1.25 million cases found improvements in surgical site and bladder infections for 9 out of 10 operations since 2008, with the greatest reduction seen in urinary tract infections. Hospitals are encouraged to focus on improving quality of care for pancreas surgery.
A recent study published in the journal Genetics found that genetic differences can greatly impact how individuals respond to different diets. The researchers used four groups of animal models with unique genetic traits to test the effectiveness of various diets, including American-style, Mediterranean, Japanese, and ketogenic diets.
Researchers developed a novel model to study liver transplantation reperfusion and its impact on organ function. The new technique simulates the reperfusion stage of transplantation, allowing for better understanding of organ preservation and potential improvements in liver transplantation outcomes.
Researchers from UNIGE have identified a key role for the liver in the development of type 2 diabetes, linked to obesity and inflammation. By targeting the protein PTPR-γ, scientists may uncover new therapeutic strategies to prevent insulin resistance and related metabolic conditions.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a strong biomarker candidate for early diagnosis and treatment of biliary atresia, a rare disease causing liver damage in infants. The test, using matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), shows high sensitivity and specificity in detecting the condition.
A new study found that both alcohol consumption and metabolic factors contribute to the risk of severe liver disease in the general population. The research, published in Hepatology, suggests that considering both factors together can improve risk assessment and detection of individuals at high risk of progressive liver disease.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that Alagille Syndrome is caused by malformations of the bile ducts, leading to serious liver and heart problems. The study provides new insights into the disease and opens up possibilities for targeted therapies.
Researchers are developing new diagnostic tests and imaging techniques to diagnose NAFLD severity, predict disease progression, and monitor changes. The €34 million LITMUS project brings together clinicians, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies to create more accurate blood tests and treatments.
A €34 million European research project aims to develop new diagnostic tests for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and identify those at risk of severe inflammation and liver scarring. The project, LITMUS, brings together clinicians, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies to develop and validate biomarkers for testing NAFLD.
A new report suggests that moderate coffee consumption may reduce the risk of chronic liver disease by up to 65%. The study found an inverse association between coffee consumption and risk of liver cancer, with a potential risk reduction of 25-70%.
Researchers at MIT have created a new delivery system for the CRISPR genome-editing system, using nanoparticles to target and delete disease-causing genes. The technique achieved an 80% success rate in deleting the Pcsk9 gene, which regulates cholesterol levels, resulting in a 35% drop in total cholesterol levels.
A Yale-led research team has discovered how a very low calorie diet rapidly reverses type 2 diabetes in animal models. The study found that the diet lowers glucose production by decreasing conversion of lactate and amino acids into glucose, liver glycogen conversion to glucose, and fat content.
A new study found that microRNA-34a contributes to liver fibrosis in ALD. Inhibiting this miR-34a reduces liver injury and fibrosis in ALD patients.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute tested a new drug for hepatitis B virus infection, which uses RNA interference to reduce surface antigens. The therapy has shown safety and effectiveness in human trials, offering hope for a potential cure.
A recent study has identified Neuregulin 4 (Nrg4) as a key driver of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression. Increasing levels of Nrg4 protected liver cells from metabolic stress in mice, while loss of the hormone led to accelerated disease progression.