Research on the liver in health and disease. Covers liver-disease subtypes, the liver's role in circadian timing, targeted therapies, and cell regulation.
The Salk Institute has identified a drug called JQ1 that prevents and reverses liver fibrosis in animals, a condition that replaces normal liver cells with scar tissue until the organ no longer works. This discovery may also treat fibrosis in other organs such as the lung, pancreas, and kidney.
A large clinical trial found that a combination of antiviral medications can eradicate hepatitis C infection in over 90 percent of patients with advanced liver disease. The study showed significant improvements in liver function, even among patients with existing cirrhosis and liver failure.
A new study found that obese children and those with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) are not meeting the UK's vitamin and mineral guidelines. They are also significantly off meeting the recommended physical activity levels, with excess weight unlikely to be the only factor in NAFLD development.
A new technique has enabled the rapid expansion of functional human liver cells in the lab, opening up new avenues for studying drug toxicity, liver disease, and more. The method, known as the 'upcyte' process, allows for the generation of liver cells from multiple donors with similar characteristics to primary human hepatocytes.
Researchers have found that a commonly used Type II diabetes medication can effectively clear fatty liver disease from some patients. After a 48-week trial, 4 out of 10 patients showed significant improvement in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis symptoms.
A new report reveals that fewer than one in three hospitals employ a full-time doctor specializing in liver medicine, leading to a postcode lottery for patients. The UK's specialist liver centres provide excellent care but are not evenly distributed, resulting in poor patient outcomes and a lack of access to specialist care.
Researchers have found a potential treatment strategy for glycogen storage disease Ia by inducing autophagy in liver cells, which reduces fat and glycogen levels. A drug called rapamycin stimulates autophagy and improves liver size and function in animal models.
A study of living liver donors found that most donors were highly satisfied with the donation process and reported improved health outcomes. The study's results suggest that living liver donation is a positive experience for donors, with 97% indicating they would donate again.
A liver pathway controlled by BAF60a stimulates the production of bile, leading to increased cholesterol absorption. Mice with disabled BAF60a had lower cholesterol levels, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for reducing atherosclerosis.
Australian researchers have defined key characteristics of metabolically healthy obesity, shedding light on the paradox. They found that obese individuals sensitive to insulin in muscle or liver are metabolically healthier, with lower blood pressure and less deep abdominal fat. This discovery provides significant insight into human ins...
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a mechanism that propels liver development after birth through alternative splicing, allowing the liver to acquire new functions tailored for adult needs. The study highlights the importance of an RNA binding protein, ESRP2, in controlling this developmental program.
A new study reveals that relapsed malaria infections are a significant obstacle to malaria eradication in the Asia-Pacific region. Most childhood infections in Papua New Guinea are caused by relapsed P. vivax infections, which can hide in the liver and re-emerge after treatment.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that deaths among middle-aged white Americans increased significantly between 1999 and 2013. The top causes of death were suicide, drug and alcohol poisoning, and chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis.
Research suggests that gut bacteria can ferment dietary fiber, producing short-chain fatty acids that contribute to liver lipids and potentially lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In individuals with compromised TLR5 function, overconsumption of fiber may exacerbate this process.
A UMass Amherst biologist is developing a new liver model using extra-embryonic tissue to study liver function and mechanisms. The model, which uses tissues from the yolk sac, offers a simpler alternative to traditional liver models, allowing for more efficient analysis of gene expression and protein production.
Premature birth can be lifesaving with TPN, but it also causes liver damage. Dr. Ajay Jain is studying ways to prevent TPN-related complications in newborns.
Researchers at Hiroshima University developed a new animal model of hepatitis B using humanized mice and found that CTLA4Ig suppressed damage to liver cells infected with the virus. This model is useful for studying immunological reactions and viral clearance in hepatitis B virus infection.
Patients undergoing oncologic liver operations who participated in an enhanced recovery program returned sooner to their normal life function and adjuvant cancer therapies than patients who were treated with a traditional approach. The study found that 75% of enhanced recovery patients achieved their baseline functional status within 3...
A nationwide study in Pediatrics found 159 children under 18 with Autoimmune Hepatitis in Canada, with fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain as common presenting symptoms. Early diagnosis is critical to prevent worsening symptoms, and the study provides evidence-based data for family physicians and specialists to refer patients earlier.
Researchers found that fatty liver disease and scarring have a significant genetic component, with heritability rates of around 50%. The study used twin analysis to show that monozygotic twins were more likely to share similar levels of fat content and liver stiffness.
Researchers developed a single, self-contained medical device that can detect liver toxicity in 30 minutes, reducing current testing times to several days. The lab in a needle approach integrates sample preparation and analysis into one device, enabling doctors and patients to discuss treatment options immediately.
Researchers at EMBL, Salk Institute, and UC Berkeley measured how ageing affects brain and liver cells in rats. They found that age-related changes in brain cells often involve the loss of molecules helping neurons communicate, while liver cells show changes in metabolic processes.
Researchers used integrated 'omics' approaches to analyze changes in proteins across different organs in young and old rats. They found that aging affects organs in strikingly different ways, with specific protein patterns related to the organ's unique cellular properties or function. The study suggests that aging is an organ-specific ...
Researchers have developed a new technique to produce a faithful mimic of the in vivo liver inside a scalable fluid-handling device. The chip-based model demonstrates proof of principle for toxicology tests and opens up potential use in drug testing and personalized medicine.
Research suggests a treatment that boosts the immune system could improve liver failure treatment outcomes. The therapy uses an immune-boosting molecule called CSF-1 to trigger natural defence mechanisms in the liver.
A new enzyme-replacement therapy, Sebelipase Alfa, has been shown to effectively treat Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency by reducing disease-related liver and blood cholesterol abnormalities. The therapy, which targets hepatocytes, resulted in lower cholesterol levels and reduced liver fat content in patients with the condition.
A new study of DCD liver transplantations found no significant correlation between donor age and organ survival. The results suggest that stringent donor and recipient selection can help expand the donor pool for life-saving liver transplantation, making aged DCD organs more viable.
A University of Iowa study reveals that disabling a critical biological checkpoint, Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC), reduces blood sugar levels in mouse models of type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that inhibiting MPC activity could be a new target for drugs to treat diabetes.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a new strategy to slow glucose production in the liver, which can lead to more effective drugs for type 2 diabetes. The approach involves inhibiting a protein involved in making glucose, demonstrating potential for treating millions of people affected by the condition.
Exposure to high-concentration airborne particulate matter PM2.5 has been shown to directly affect the liver, triggering liver fibrosis in animal models. The study highlights air pollution as an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis, with implications for medical care and health policy-making.
A first-of-its-kind study identified a potential gene target, FOX03, strongly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-related liver damage due to miR-182 regulation. The study found suppressed FOX03 protein levels in damaged livers, suggesting its role in the initiation of liver disease.
Chronic alcohol consumption lowers vitamin A levels in the liver while raising levels in other tissues, leading to reduced vitamin A function and its link to alcoholic liver disease. Novel treatments may focus on counteracting alcohol's impact on vitamin A levels in the liver.
Patients with autoimmune hepatitis who present with cirrhosis at first diagnosis and those with SLA/LP antibodies have a higher risk of relapse, liver transplant, and reduced life expectancy. The presence of SLA/LP antibodies is linked to poor overall and liver transplant-free survival.
Researchers found that MACC1 expression is a key indicator of survival and recurrence risk in Klatskin carcinoma patients. Patients with low MACC1 levels have a good chance of benefiting from surgery, while those with high levels are at a higher risk of cancer recurrence.
Researchers analyzed data from patients undergoing stage IV colorectal cancer surgery to identify benchmarks for surgical practice. They found that major complications vary depending on the extent of liver resection and type of colorectal surgery performed.
A Yale University study found that nearly one in four patients with chronic hepatitis C are denied initial approval for a drug therapy. The finding reveals factors beyond disease state and medical necessity affecting treatment access, including public insurance status and advanced liver disease.
Researchers tested a new liver transplantation procedure using multi-layered sheets of hepatocytes and fibroblasts, which improved liver function in test animals for at least two months. The method showed higher albumin expression levels and better survival rates compared to traditional methods.
A University of Hawai'i Cancer Center researcher has received a $2.70 million grant to study how gut bacteria can damage the liver and promote liver cancer. The study aims to design new approaches to preventing liver cancer by regulating bile acid metabolism.
A new study reveals liver fibrosis affects 5.6% of adults aged ?45, primarily those with diabetes or steatosis. The rising prevalence highlights the growing concern of liver health issues due to an aging population and increasing rates of diabetes and obesity.
A new study using bionic liver micro-organs explains the off-target toxicity of acetaminophen, a breakthrough that could transform drug development. The device detected small changes in cellular respiration, revealing a faster and lower-dose mechanism than previously thought.
Researchers have identified hybrid hepatocytes, which regenerate liver tissue more efficiently than normal cells without causing cancer. These cells offer a promising approach to treating liver diseases and potentially preventing fatal liver failure.
Hybrid hepatocytes, discovered by researchers at University of California - San Diego School of Medicine, have been found to proliferate and replenish liver mass after chronic liver injuries, showing promise as a therapeutic option for liver diseases. Unlike induced pluripotent stem cells, hybrid hepatocytes do not contribute to cancer.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University developed a novel DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO) that significantly improves gene silencing and reduces liver dysfunction. The high potency of vitamin E-conjugated HDO results in improved delivery to the liver, leading to enhanced therapeutic effects.
Researchers found a potential biomarker, limonene, in breath samples of patients with cirrhosis, which gradually dropped after liver transplant. The study aims to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early-stage liver disease diagnosis.
BIDMC researchers have discovered a novel vitamin B3 pathway that regulates liver metabolism and improves metabolic health. The study found that nicotinamide N-methyltransfersase (NNMT) plays a key role in this pathway, increasing Sirt1 protein levels and suppressing triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis.
HHMI scientists have discovered functional liver stem cells that proliferate and give rise to mature hepatocytes, even in healthy livers. The newly found stem cells require Wnt signals to maintain their identity and are responsible for replenishing the liver's population.
Researchers found that gout medications targeting uric acid and adenosine triphosphate can protect against alcohol-induced liver damage and inflammation. These findings suggest clinical trials for humans with alcoholic liver disease should be considered to prevent or treat acute episodes of alcoholic hepatitis.
Researchers have successfully created functional liver cells from human embryonic and genetic engineered stem cells. The new method enables unlimited production of liver cells with high accuracy, revolutionizing pharmaceutical drug discovery and potentially improving treatment outcomes.
A recent study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers found that liver activation is essential for maintaining adequate immune responses in the lungs against bacterial pneumonia. The study used a model system to demonstrate how a lack of liver response increases susceptibility to pneumonia.
Researchers have demonstrated a direct connection between two signaling proteins (NOX1 and NOX4) and liver fibrosis, a scarring process underlying chronic liver disease. The study adds credence to a pharmaceutical effort to create new treatments for diabetic nephropathy, liver fibrosis, and other progressive fibrotic diseases.
Researchers verified the accuracy of PoopMD, a free smartphone app that reads stool color to detect biliary atresia, a rare pediatric liver disease. The app correctly identified 27 normal stools and all acholic stool samples, providing reassurance for parents.
Scientists have uncovered a port of entry for malaria parasites in the liver, highlighting a potential new drug target. The discovery could help prevent the spread of disease and reduce malaria-related deaths worldwide.
A case study in Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights the risks of eating wild mushrooms, with a woman requiring a liver transplant after consuming misidentified Aminata bisporigera. The authors emphasize the importance of proper identification and caution against premature discharge from hospital or emergency department.
Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy have discovered a link between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and drug metabolism. NASH, an increasingly common but often undiagnosed liver disease, can cause toxic levels of certain medications to be retained in the body.
A team of researchers has discovered a link between acute liver failure and mutations in the NBAS gene, which affects cellular transport processes. The study found that these mutations can disrupt protein packing and transport within cells, leading to metabolic imbalances in the liver.
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) has updated its guidance on testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C virus (HCV). The new recommendations focus on direct-acting antiviral drugs, which have shown high efficacy in curing HCV. With these updates, millions of Americans living with chronic HCV may now hav...
A study published in Liver Transplantation identified younger patients and those with more severe liver disease as more likely to have potential living liver donors. In contrast, older, single, divorced, or low-income patients were less likely to have a live donor volunteer for liver donation.
A study engineered a gut microbiome with low urease expression to alleviate hyperammonemia symptoms in mice. This approach reduced circulating ammonia levels and improved mortality rates in animals with liver disease.
Researchers at Duke University developed a mathematical model of acetaminophen metabolism based on lab rat data, finding that glutamine may boost the body's ability to recover from overdose. The study suggests that adding glutamine alongside standard antidote N-acetylcysteine could prevent liver damage.
A genetically engineered mouse with weaker bones has a strong metabolism, suggesting a potential link between bone health and obesity-related type 2 diabetes. The study highlights the endocrine role of bone in regulating metabolism, and its exploration may lead to new avenues for treatment.