Research on the liver in health and disease. Covers liver-disease subtypes, the liver's role in circadian timing, targeted therapies, and cell regulation.
A study published in Cell Metabolism found that a liver hormone called FGF21 may play a role in determining who has a sweet tooth. The researchers discovered two variants of the FGF21 gene associated with increased intake of sweets and candies.
Researchers found that patients with advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) tend to have more Proteobacteria and fewer Firmicutes in their stool than those with early stage NAFLD. A stool-based test for NAFLD is being developed using microbial patterns, which could potentially diagnose the condition earlier and more easily.
A new anti-rejection drug, Everolimus, has been found to reduce weight gain and enhance outcomes for liver transplant recipients. Researchers compared Everolimus to Tacrolimus in a randomized international multi-center study of over 700 patients, finding that those taking Everolimus gained less weight.
Investigators at MUSC have identified a critical regulatory mechanism for nitric oxide production in liver endothelial cells following liver injury. The study reveals that inhibition of CAV1 or GRK2 phosphorylation compromises complex formation and reduces eNOS activity, leading to increased portal pressure.
Dr. Xiao-Ming Yin's pioneering research has significantly impacted our understanding of cellular degradation pathways, leading to novel cancer treatment approaches and potential therapeutic strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Transplanted fetal rat liver cells multiply and give rise to new cells in injured adult liver. This breakthrough has implications for treating liver failure without organ transplants.
Researchers found that the p53 protein plays a key role in preventing acetaminophen-induced liver damage and promoting regeneration. Activation of p53 helps prevent injury progression while inhibition stimulates liver repair, offering hope for new treatment options.
Researchers found that rats fed high-sugar diets experienced increased body fat mass, liver damage, and brain inflammation. A balanced diet was shown to mitigate these effects, highlighting the potential risks of sugar-laden diet products.
A recent study found that obesity significantly increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by different metabolic pathways, particularly in individuals with the PNPLA3 gene variant. The researchers suggest that genetic screening may be valuable in identifying high-risk subgroups.
A Massachusetts General Hospital research team found that oral doses of intestinal alkaline phosphatase prevented the development of fatty liver in mouse models of binge drinking and chronic alcohol consumption. The study also provided evidence of an expanded role of the liver's stellate cells in alcoholic liver disease.
A new mouse study found that exposure to a high-fat diet in the womb and immediately after birth may increase offspring risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease later in life. The offspring of pregnant mice that consumed a high-fat diet developed liver fibrosis, a type of tissue scarring that is a sign of more serious disease.
A study by Houston Methodist researchers found that the surface protein OX40, which helps keep T-cells alive, can trigger the death of liver immune cells. This leads to a chain reaction causing liver inflammation and disease. The research suggests a potential new avenue for intervention, such as OX40 inhibitors or blockers.
A study demonstrated that A4250 reduced levels of blood bile acids and improved pruritus in 74% of patients with cholestatic liver diseases. The therapy was well-tolerated, with mostly mild side effects.
The SARAH trial found SIRT resulted in higher tumor response rates and controlled tumor progression compared to sorafenib, with better side-effect profiles and quality of life scores. However, it did not increase overall survival in HCC patients.
The ANSWER study shows that long-term administration of human albumin improves survival rate in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Treatment also enhances ascites management, quality of life, and reduces severe complications and hospitalization.
A study presented at ILC 2017 found that bezafibrate plus ursodeoxycholic acid improved symptoms, liver function tests, and surrogate markers of the disease in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. The combination therapy was well-tolerated and normalised prognostic biochemical parameters.
A new study reveals a strong association between colder climates and higher rates of alcoholic cirrhosis, a disease caused by excessive drinking. The research found that countries with lower temperatures and less sunshine had higher rates of alcohol-attributable liver cirrhosis.
A Finnish study found that central obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, lipid abnormalities, and high alcohol consumption are the strongest predictors of severe liver disease. Among individuals who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, only diabetes is a significant predictor.
A study found that faecal transplantation improved cognitive impairment in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, a serious condition caused by severe liver disease. The treatment significantly reduced hospitalisations compared to standard care treatment.
A new study found that 99% of children aged six to 11 with hepatitis C achieved undetectable levels of HCV-RNA 12 weeks after treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of a direct-acting antiviral regimen. The oral therapy was well-tolerated and did not cause serious adverse events.
The CheckMate 040 study found that nivolumab produces durable responses with long-term survival rates of up to 59.9% in sorafenib-experienced patients with advanced HCC, regardless of Hepatitis B or C infection status.
A new European study demonstrated that patients with chronic HCV and severe liver damage can be safely removed from the liver transplant list after successful direct-acting antiviral therapy. The study showed a favorable outcome over a year later, with only one patient dying from rapidly progressing hepatocellular carcinoma.
Research found that liver CD8+ T cells become highly activated and inflammatory under specific conditions, reprogramming themselves into disease-driving cells. The study sheds light on markers of activation and inflammation in these cells and the Interferon-1 pathway.
A study found that 0.11% of blood donations from Germany tested positive for hepatitis E virus RNA, a significant increase on previous reports. The discovery highlights the risk of transmission to immunocompromised individuals and calls for routine screening at blood donation centers.
A Phase 3 study demonstrates that the co-formulation of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir results in a 95% sustained virologic response rate at 12 weeks post treatment in patients with Hepatitis C virus genotype 3. The investigational treatment was well-tolerated and showed comparable safety to sofosbuvir and daclatasvir.
Research suggests that a diet rich in animal protein, but not fructose, is linked to NAFLD in overweight people. The study found significant associations between macronutrients and NAFLD predominantly in overweight individuals.
The ALIVER project aims to develop a novel liver dialysis machine, DIALIVE, which targets systemic inflammation and restores albumin function. The machine has shown promising results in pre-clinical tests and will be tested in clinical settings across Europe.
A Phase 2 trial found rituximab not effective in treating fatigue in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients, but showed improvements in anaerobic threshold. The study suggests further research on specific types of fatigue may yield more favorable results.
A multicentre, randomised, controlled study found that long-term oral antibiotic therapy with norfloxacin improved prognosis in patients with life-threatening advanced liver disease. Norfloxacin administration for 6 months was associated with reduced risk of death and infection at 6 months.
Recent studies present contrasting evidence on DAA therapy's association with liver cancer. A study found a higher recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who received DAAs, while another found no difference in HCC occurrence or recurrence between DAA and interferon-based therapies.
A DAA treatment combination, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir with or without voxilaprevir, shows significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes for patients with HCV and cirrhosis. The overall cure rate is 94% for patients with and without cirrhosis.
A worldwide analysis of over 3,000 patients reveals that those with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are nearly 12 times more likely to be referred at an advanced stage than early. Early liver disease was defined as liver disease without evidence of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.
The updated EASL guidelines provide new definitions of disease phases to guide clinicians on treatment indications. The guidelines also expanded indications for initiating treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission and offer clear cut recommendations for special patient populations. The main goal of therapy is to improve surviva...
A retrospective review of a UK national HCV database found that over one-third of young people with childhood acquired HCV develop serious long-term liver disease. The study highlights the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent long-term liver damage.
A prospective study in patients with cirrhosis found that severe periodontitis strongly predicted higher mortality, mainly due to complications of cirrhosis. The study also showed a strong association between gum disease and risk of death in liver patients.
Recent reimbursement data shows significant variability in access to direct-acting antiviral therapy across European countries, particularly for patients with severe liver fibrosis or substance use. Many countries have restrictions on prescribing by specialists, limiting access to life-saving treatment.
The new Clinical Practice Guidelines define the use of diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive modalities in managing patients with various liver diseases. The guidelines provide a range of generally accepted approaches for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of specific liver diseases.
A new study found that supplements of DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, can prevent the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) into more serious health problems like cirrhosis and liver cancer. This breakthrough discovery offers hope to millions of people worldwide who struggle with obesity and poor diet.
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests that both low and high birth weights are linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. The study found that advanced scarring of the liver is associated with low birth weight, while more inflammation is linked to high birth weight.
A mouse experiment revealed that hydroxytyrosol, a compound found in extra-virgin olive oil, can reverse markers of insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study showed that hydroxytyrosol exerts a protective effect in the liver by improving enzyme activity and fatty acid composition.
Researchers used gene expression analysis to map the functions of liver cells, revealing nine distinct types each specializing in its own tasks. This discovery may help clarify common liver disorders and provide insights into human health.
Researchers at Linköping University developed a non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy test to diagnose fatty liver disease. The new method can detect liver damage with as little as 3% fat content, increasing sensitivity and accuracy.
Low birth weight and high birth weight are associated with the severity of liver disease in children, increasing their risk for NAFLD. Children born with low-birth weight are more likely to develop severe scarring of the liver, while those with high-birth weight are at greater risk for the hepatitis form of fatty liver disease.
Researchers found metreleptin treatment improved liver function and reduced fatty liver disease progression in patients with partial lipodystrophy. Patients with lower baseline leptin levels showed higher response rates to the treatment.
Research suggests that early-life BPA exposure can lead to fatty liver disease by reprogramming gene expression. The study found that BPA creates new activating epigenomic marks on genes driving the progression of NAFLD in rats.
A study at Kanazawa University found that individuals with higher selenoprotein P levels exhibit reduced responses to physical exercise. The research team demonstrated that mice deficient in selenoprotein P showed improved exercise capacity and reduced blood glucose levels after exercise training. Furthermore, women with high selenopro...
Researchers found that a 65% decrease in liver volume and 46% reduction in hepatocyte size occurred in mice on a low protein diet. The liver's ability to regenerate itself was demonstrated after reintroducing a normal protein diet, with an 85% increase in liver volume.
Young men who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing severe liver disease or liver cancer in later life. Men with obesity have more than twice the risk of liver problems compared to normal-weight men.
Researchers found that fat cells produce uridine during fasting, helping to maintain energy balance. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of metabolic disorders and new treatments.
Researchers found that different organs have distinct mitochondrial calcium portal compositions, allowing for tailored energy output. This difference may help explain organ failure and inform disease mechanisms.
A study analyzing nearly 30,000 liver transplant patients found elevated death and organ loss rates among those with high opioid use while waiting for a transplant. Transplant candidates requiring high levels of opioids should be carefully assessed before and after transplantation.
Researchers recommend that doctors exclude common liver issues before testing for rare conditions. Directed testing means ordering tests for the most common causes of sudden severe liver issues first, followed by tests for rare, dangerous autoimmune or genetic disorders that attack livers.
A single high-fat meal can reduce the body's sensitivity to insulin, leading to increased fat deposits in the liver and changes in energy metabolism. This study found that even a small amount of palm oil triggers insulin resistance, which can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center identified a new therapeutic approach by studying the role of microRNAs released from fat cells into the bloodstream. They found that these microRNAs can regulate gene expression in other organs and tissues, potentially leading to new treatments for metabolic diseases and cancer.
A new study has found that fructose consumption is independently associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and high uric acid concentrations in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, a growing cause of liver disease in Western countries, affects up to 30% of the general population.
Researchers have successfully reprogrammed liver cells to behave like precursor cells that give rise to the pancreas, paving the way for potential cell therapies for type I diabetes. By altering a single gene, the team induced an identity crisis in liver cells, which then developed into cells with pancreatic properties.
A nationwide study published in JACS found that critically ill children can now undergo liver transplantation and achieve similar survival benefits as stable children. Survival rates have improved significantly since pediatric critical care was recognized as a specialty area of medicine, with one-year survival increasing from 66% to 92%.
A team of researchers developed a new strategy using computational modeling to simulate how liver cells respond to different doses of 15 drugs. The approach integrated experimental observations with knowledge of drug distribution and metabolism, revealing similar responses across different drugs.
Researchers discovered that paracetamol damages liver cells by disrupting tight junctions, leading to cell death and organ dysfunction. The study aims to develop alternative methods for testing paracetamol toxicity and identify potential targets for new drugs.
Researchers developed an improved Fatty Liver Index (FLI) to predict non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with high accuracy. The new index includes parameters such as age, waist circumference, and triglyceride levels, as well as a gene variant for fatty liver, to provide more precise diagnosis and risk assessment.