Research on the liver in health and disease. Covers liver-disease subtypes, the liver's role in circadian timing, targeted therapies, and cell regulation.
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.
A new UCSF study reveals that binge drinking can cause fatty liver, inflammation and enzyme changes within seven weeks. The researchers found that even a short period of excessive drinking resulted in liver dysfunction.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that liver injury activates blood clotting, which then stimulates liver repair using an experimental model of high-dosage acetaminophen. The study identified fibrinogen as a critical protein in this process.
Researchers at EPFL have identified a key player in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. The study found that impaired SUMOylation of nuclear receptor LRH-1 promotes NAFLD, highlighting potential new treatments and biomarkers for the disease.
The study reveals that CPEB4 is essential for driving the liver stress response and preventing fatty liver disease. By understanding the molecular function of CPEB4, researchers can develop predictive markers and treatments to prevent this condition, which affects millions of people worldwide.
Children processed differently after receiving liver transplants, with implications on growth, infection risk, and cancer. Tailoring immunosuppressant regimens is crucial for optimal outcomes, emphasizing the need for pre-transplant and continuous post-transplant education.
A study published in Diabetes journal found epigenetic changes in the DPP4 gene are associated with fatty liver development in both mice and humans. These changes, detected at six weeks of age, lead to increased enzyme production and correlate with fat content in the liver.
Researchers found that PQQ reduced fat in livers and inflammation, protecting adult mice from fatty liver even after stopping supplementation. The antioxidant may work by impacting pathways critical to early onset of diseases associated with maternal obesity and high-fat diets.
A novel murine model reveals MTU1's importance in regulating mitochondrial protein translation and embryonic development. The study found a conditional knockout mouse line with liver-specific MTU1 deficiency exhibited signs of liver damage, altered metabolism, and increased FGF21 levels.
Researchers found that food withdrawal leads to the accumulation of p53 protein in liver cells, playing a crucial role in metabolic adaptation to starvation. This discovery may pave the way for new treatments for patients with metabolic or cancer-related disorders.
Researchers found that exposure to malaria's blood stage inhibits the formation of protective immune cells and antibodies. This discovery highlights the need for a vaccine that targets both stages of infection to effectively prevent malaria.
Researchers identified four new regions of the genome associated with PSC risk, one of which is linked to increased levels of a protein called UBASH3A. The study found unique aspects to PSC biology and suggests the disease is not simply caused by IBD.
Researchers at Saint Louis University found that silencing a protein in liver and adipose tissue significantly improves blood sugar levels and reduces body fat in animal models. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for insulin-resistant obese or overweight patients.
Researchers have found a new pathway in the liver that opens the door to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The pathway involves activating a protein called TRPV4, which releases nitric oxide and blocks an enzyme contributing to the disease.
A study reveals that the liver is the primary source of Apol1, a protein linked to kidney disease, and finds a significant association between APOL1 gene variants and increased risk in individuals of recent African ancestry. The findings provide new insights into the biology of Apol1 and its potential role in health and disease.
A new test has identified a gene signature related to the immune response in liver tissue of patients with high-risk Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), a rare autoimmune condition. The test allows for early intervention with alternative treatments, increasing chances of success and potentially staving off the need for a liver transplant.
The new guidelines developed by the NASPGHAN recommend regular screening for NAFLD in all obese children between 9-11 years old using a simple liver enzyme test. Lifestyle changes such as improving diet and increasing physical activity are also recommended as first steps in treatment.
Research in mice reveals that gut microbe movements can influence a host animal's circadian rhythms by exposing different microbes and their metabolites as the day goes by. The study shows profound effects on host physiology, including changes in liver function and gene expression.
Researchers at Indiana University's Biocomplexity Institute developed a virtual model of the human liver to analyze drug absorption. The study suggests that virtual tissues models could play an important role in modern pharmacokinetics, reducing the risk of overdose from drugs like acetaminophen.
Researchers have developed a new minimally invasive approach using gold nanoparticles encapsulated by gum Arabic to target and destroy precancerous tumor cells in the livers of mice. The study shows that this 'green' nanotechnology approach can suppress liver preneoplastic lesions with minimal damage to healthy tissue.
Researchers found that jet lag increases both obesity-related liver disease and liver cancer risk by disrupting the body's internal homeostasis. The study suggests that lifestyle changes leading to chronic jet lag can also increase liver cancer risk in humans.
A recent study found that low-fat diets and regular exercise can reduce liver inflammation and scarring in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Additionally, improved liver health was associated with enhanced kidney function in these individuals, independent of other factors such as diabetes or weight loss.
A new study by a team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that two molecules complement each other to maintain a healthy level of fat in the liver. When these molecules are removed, there is a swift buildup of toxic fats that causes an aggressive and lethal form of liver damage.
New research suggests that food restriction increases levels of tumor-suppressing molecule p53 in mice and human hepatocytes. This p53-induction is required for fasting-induced adaptation of nutrient metabolism, offering new therapeutic concepts for metabolic diseases and cancer.
Research reveals a strong connection between fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease, with individuals with fatty liver at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
A new mechanism regulating glucose metabolism has been discovered by researchers at Helmholtz Munich. The transforming growth factor beta 1-stimulated clone 22 D4 (TSC22D4) gene acts as a molecular switch in the liver, influencing genes that can regulate metabolism throughout the body.
Scientists at EPFL and Nestéle Institute of Health Sciences identified 5000 proteins affected by the diurnal cycle in mouse liver cells. The study used cutting-edge proteomics to monitor protein accumulation over a 24-hour cycle, revealing key cellular functions such as DNA repair and ribosome biogenesis were also affected.
A new study found that high-protein diets reduced liver fat in individuals with type 2 diabetes, with significant reductions seen in half of the participants. The diets were based on either plant or animal protein sources, and all participants benefited from the high-protein diet.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai discovered that cutting nerves to the kidneys dramatically improves liver sensitivity to insulin, effectively curing insulin resistance in laboratory animals. The study reveals a previously unknown communication pathway between the kidneys and liver to regulate blood sugar levels.
Herbal and dietary supplements are linked to liver injury in the US, affecting 20% of cases. The study identifies performance-enhancing products as major contributors to this toxic effect.
NAFLD affects 64 million individuals worldwide, with annual direct medical costs of $103 billion in the US and €35 billion in Europe. The economic burden is even higher when including societal and indirect costs.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that young people with chronic liver conditions have a significantly higher prevalence of depression and anxiety compared to the general adolescent population. The most common concerns reported by these patients are fatigue, sleep difficulties, financial concerns, and low self-esteem.
A new analysis reveals unacceptable mortality rates in young US children with chronic liver disease on transplant waiting lists and after transplantation. Young children with higher pediatric end-stage liver disease scores, lower initial height, and higher weight at listing have a higher risk of mortality.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center discovered that inactivating the TAZ protein in liver cells reverses fibrosis, a primary feature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This finding has potential implications for treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a serious condition that can lead to liver failure and cancer.
Caspase inhibitors may trigger necrotic cell death, despite preventing apoptosis, according to a new study. Researchers found that blocking apoptosis can lead to alternative necrotic cell death in cultured hepatocytes and mouse livers.
The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) SAFE-T and C-Path PSTC have obtained regulatory support from the US FDA and EMA for four new liver safety biomarkers. These biomarkers, including cytokeratin 18, HMGB1, osteopontin, and MCSFR1, show promise in predicting drug-induced liver injury and may improve early prediction of liver toxici...
A significant proportion of macrophages are distributed to tissues before bone marrow function starts, maintaining themselves through stem cell-like renewal. Embryonic-derived macrophages regulate iron metabolism and the growth of the mammary gland in adults.
A multicenter study of 1,015 major liver resections found that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) had significantly lower odds of serious morbidity and death in the short term compared to open operations. Risk of complications such as bile leak and readmission were similar between the two procedures.
A Japanese research team has identified a hormone that limits liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Administering growth hormone alleviated NASH conditions caused by adult growth hormone deficiency, and treatments were effective on model animals.
Researchers developed a novel method to quantify NAFLD progression to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. The technique combines multiple non-invasive measures, including heavy water labeling and MRI assessments, to predict individual clinical fibrotic disease progression.
Researchers at Cardiff University developed a method to predict non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) through blood analysis, offering an early warning for potentially life-saving medical intervention. NASH is the most extreme form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with inflammation causing scarring and cirrhosis.
Researchers have discovered vigilin, a 'lock keeper' protein in liver cells that regulates fat release and influences transport proteins. The study found a strong correlation between vigilin levels and fatty liver percentage.
Researchers created a patented vaccine to combat Fusobacterium necrophorum infection, which affects sheep and cattle with liver abscesses and calf diphtheria.
Patients waiting for a liver transplant exhibit high levels of sedentary behavior, with an average of 75.9% spent in sedentary activities, according to researchers. Clinicians' assessments often fail to accurately reflect patients' actual physical performance, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive evaluations.
A new analysis reveals a substantial increase in US liver-related hospitalizations for cirrhosis and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF), resulting in significant economic burdens. Hospitalization rates nearly doubled, with inpatient costs rising twofold for cirrhosis and fivefold for ACLF.
A SickKids-led project explores the effects of severe malnutrition on children's livers, finding that dysfunctional mitochondria and peroxisomes contribute to impaired nutrient utilization. The study identifies a key gene, PEX2, involved in peroxisome loss during starvation.
A research team at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has successfully generated functional human tissue-engineered liver from adult stem and progenitor cells. The tissue-engineered liver exhibited normal structural components, including hepatocytes, bile ducts, and blood vessels, and demonstrated in vivo secretory function.
A research team has devised a new method to enhance genome-wide association studies for liver disease using purified liver cells made from induced pluripotent stem cells. The approach, developed by the Medical University of South Carolina, allows for more accurate identification of genetic mutations causing liver diseases.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have discovered a previously unknown protein, SETDB2, that helps the liver adapt to fasting states. This protein is increased during times of fasting and alters the genome to turn on genes needed for energy storage.
Researchers found that certain essential oil compounds reduce inflammation in human cells damaged by fine particle air pollutants. The compounds, including trans-anethole and eugenol, decreased cytokine levels by up to 96%.
Research by Adam Rose at German Cancer Research Center shows that low protein diets can improve glucose homeostasis and reduce metabolic disorders in obese mice. Low protein intake activates stress response pathways in the liver, promoting metabolic integrity.
A study published by the American Chemical Society found that citrus flavanones, a type of antioxidant, can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation caused by high-fat diets. This reduction leads to lower levels of cell-damage markers in the blood and liver, as well as reduced fat accumulation and damage in the liver.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a non-invasive MRI technique that measures liver fat density with high accuracy. This method corresponds to histological responses in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and shows promise for future clinical trials and treatment.
Changes in intestinal flora caused by antibacterial drugs can reduce enzyme activity in the liver and kidneys, affecting drug metabolism and transport. This study suggests that altered intestinal flora may lead to reduced drug efficacy and increased side effects.
Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science have developed a patented technology that allows orally administered drugs to by-pass the liver. This innovation utilizes a natural nano-scale lipid transport system to deliver drugs directly into the bloodstream, increasing absorption rates and efficacy.
Obstructive sleep apnea and low nighttime oxygen are linked to NAFLD progression in children. Researchers found a correlation between severity of sleep-disordered breathing and oxidative stress, which promotes the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
A new Brown University study projects that treating 2,000 Rhode Islanders for hepatitis C virus infection per year could reduce cases by 90 percent and prevent over 70 percent of expected liver-related deaths by 2030. The analysis found that doubling the number treated annually could reduce death rates by less than 20 percent.
Researchers found that resistant mice have higher levels of reactive oxygen species proteins and a more rapid tissue repair response in the liver. This suggests that highly oxidative conditions may be key to murine resistance to Ascaris infection.
Scientists have identified a clear distinction between two strains of mice susceptible to Ascaris infection, with the resistant strain showing an earlier immune response and more rapid tissue repair. The study suggests manipulating hepatic ROS levels may confer resistance to Ascaris in susceptible mice.
A study found that biphenotypic primary liver carcinoma can be misclassified as hepatocellular carcinoma if only major imaging features are considered. The study suggests using a comprehensive algorithm for liver lesion assessment, such as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (LI-RADS), to accurately classify these malignancies.