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 new study found a significant decline in hospital mortality rates among patients with cirrhosis and liver failure. The study analyzed over 780,000 hospitalizations and found that inpatient mortality decreased steadily during the period, despite increases in patient age and medical complexity.
A major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treatments for alcoholic hepatitis, including prednisolone and pentoxifylline, are ineffective at increasing patient survival. The study involved over 1,000 patients and found that mortality rates remained high despite treatment.
A study found that female liver cells are more susceptible to adverse effects of drugs than male counterparts, particularly postmenopausal women. The findings highlight the need for a sex-specific approach in toxicology and suggest that current theories cannot explain why women are generally more sensitive to drug toxicity.
Researchers created a mouse model showing telomere dysfunction triggers liver damage, including cirrhosis and hepatitis. Telomeres protect genetic data, but their dysfunction leads to disease.
A large-scale genome-wide association study found that men whose fathers had liver disease are more likely to develop alcoholic cirrhosis. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, suggests that genetic factors may play a role in this increased risk.
A new study finds that effective new hepatitis C drugs are extremely costly, with some treatments costing between $94,500 and $189,000. The state of Rhode Island would need to spend almost twice its entire prison health budget to treat all its chronically infected inmates.
A new study found that combining traditional assessment tools with data from nurses' assessments significantly improves the ability to predict survival in cirrhosis patients. This may help improve patient outcomes by identifying patients who can benefit from rehabilitation and intensifying their nutritional support.
A new study published in the Journal of Hepatology shows that exercise, regardless of frequency or intensity, benefits obese and overweight adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Both aerobic and resistance training-based exercise regimens reduce liver fat and visceral fat. The improvement was independent of weight loss.
Research links non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with increased intestinal permeability, suggesting a 'gut-liver axis' role in its development. The study found that liver injury may precede changes in gut permeability, potentially worsening liver disease.
A computer model developed by scientists can predict how the liver stores fat in response to various situations, including drug treatment. This knowledge could help researchers understand and treat diseases, as well as develop new drugs with fewer side effects.
Paracetamol is ineffective in reducing pain, disability, or improving quality of life for patients with low back pain or osteoarthritis. Its use may also affect the liver, increasing the risk of liver toxicity in patients. The study calls for an urgent review of guidelines that endorse paracetamol for these conditions.
Researchers at UC Davis found that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) can boost the regenerative effects of human PPARα, allowing it to regenerate damaged livers in mice. The protein could offer significant therapeutic benefits for patients with liver disease or those who have had a liver transplant.
A study from the University of Eastern Finland found that risk factor levels even below accepted thresholds can be harmful when several risk factors cluster. Clustered risk factors were linked to elevated liver enzymes in overweight children, particularly those with a common PNPLA3 gene mutation.
Researchers discovered that genetic mutations affect the development of the diaphragm by altering the expression of the Gata4 gene, leading to a defective diaphragm and the herniation of organs. The study's findings offer new hope for the prevention and treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
A research team at Montana State University and Sweden has discovered an antioxidant system in liver cells that helps sustain function during a crisis. The system is powered by methionine, an amino acid found in high levels in egg, meat, fish, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, and cereal grains.
Acute liver failure patients can now undergo live donor liver transplantation in emergency situations without compromising patient safety. The procedure has been shown to have similar postoperative complication rates and 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates compared to deceased donor liver transplants.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have found that liver MRI is more accurate than biopsy in determining total body iron balance. The study suggests that liver MRI can be a safer and less painful alternative to liver biopsy, which has high sampling variability and can cause bleeding.
Scientists at Children's Hospital/Pitt study discover that restoring HNF4 production can heal damaged liver cells and reverse liver failure in animal models. The gene therapy approach has significant potential for treating patients too sick for transplantation.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that liver-sparing operations, which remove less than a lobe of the liver, are linked to lower mortality and complication rates. This approach is associated with quicker recovery times and fewer complications compared to traditional major hepatectomies.
A new study presents evidence that brief exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in infancy can lead to fatty liver disease in adulthood. The researchers found that bisphenol A (BPA) and tributyltin caused liver damage consistent with human nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis, and altered gene expression patterns that may drive obesity.
A new Penn study reveals that over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements are the leading causes of drug-induced liver failure, not prescription drugs. The research analyzed data from an integrated healthcare system in Northern California and found that acetaminophen and herbal supplements were responsible for nearly half of a...
A new oral, controlled-release form of DNP, known as CRMP, reversed fatty liver, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia in rat models of NAFLD and type 2 diabetes, with no adverse effects. The therapy achieved plasma concentrations that were more than a 100-fold less than the toxic threshold.
Researchers found that a blend of phytochemicals, including resveratrol, genistein, and quercetin, may protect the liver against inflammation caused by fat accumulation. This could be a potential treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which affects many people, especially those who are overweight or obese.
A new molecule, endosialin, on hepatic stellate cells drives liver fibrosis by activating these cells. However, its absence improved the regenerative capacity of remaining liver cells without proliferating them. This finding helps understand how liver fibrosis develops and may lead to treatments for other diseases.
A new study found that Hispanics are more likely to develop alcoholic liver disease at a younger age than Caucasians, and are also more frequently obese and diabetic. Ethnicity is a major factor in the severity of different subtypes of ALD.
A new study from the University of New Hampshire has found that flame retardants can cause metabolic and liver problems in laboratory rats, leading to insulin resistance. The researchers discovered that fat cells in these rats became more sensitive to hormones, similar to those experienced by people who are overweight.
A team of researchers from the University of Alberta has shown that betaretrovirus infects patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, a rare autoimmune liver disease. The study used next-generation sequencing to identify viral DNA integration sites in patient genomes, providing evidence of viral infection.
Research found a link between altered gut bacteria and liver disease in adolescents with cystic fibrosis. The study suggests that targeting the gut microbiome may help prevent advanced liver disease.
Saint Louis University researchers have tested a promising drug candidate that stopped fatty liver disease from progressing to severe liver damage. The drug, SR9238, suppresses lipogenesis and reduces the liver's ability to produce fat.
A phase 3 trial found eliglustat significantly improved spleen volume reduction by 30%, hemoglobin levels, and platelet count in adults with untreated Gaucher disease type 1. The treatment showed no serious adverse events or patient discontinuations.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified a protein called RGS6 that controls both alcohol craving and organ damage. The team found that inhibiting RGS6 could represent a new approach to counteract alcohol dependence and protect against cell-killing actions of alcohol.
A new study suggests that dark-colored grapes may help overweight people burn fat better by managing obesity-related metabolic disorders. Consuming grape extracts containing ellagic acid proved to boost metabolism of fatty acids and slow the growth of existing fat cells.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed an MRI-based technique to detect and evaluate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. The new method estimates liver fat content using a standardized biomarker, PDFF, which correlates well with standard liver biopsy analysis.
Marialena Mouzaki's research on pediatric end-stage liver disease found that predictive equations underestimate energy requirements, leading to inadequate calorie provision. Indirect calorimetry should be used to ensure proper nutritional care for this vulnerable population.
A Yale-led research team has discovered the molecular mechanism behind insulin's role in regulating liver glucose production and how it fails in patients with type 2 diabetes. The findings reveal that inflammation in fatty tissue leads to increased hepatic glucose production, highlighting a potential target for new treatments.
Researchers found that mice pretreated with low doses of green tea polyphenol EGCG had a 75% reduction in liver toxicity compared to untreated mice. This study suggests that chronic green tea consumers may be less sensitive to potential liver toxicity from supplements containing green tea extract.
Researchers found that sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, induced the liver to produce greater amounts of cyclic GMP, reducing TNF signaling and preventing liver damage. Experiments with human liver cells also showed the protective effects of the drug.
Researchers found that low sodium levels in patients with high Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores of 12 or more increased liver transplant survival benefits. Patients with hyponatremia had a greater survival benefit compared to those with normal sodium levels.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that the brain can regulate fat metabolism, potentially stopping the development of atherosclerosis and its associated risks. The researchers discovered that the brain uses the presence of fatty acids to trigger the liver to reduce its own lipid production.
Researchers investigated 56,000 participants and found daily drinking significantly increases the risk of alcoholic cirrhosis. Recent alcohol consumption, not lifetime consumption, is the strongest predictor of this condition.
A new preservation system that uses machine perfusion keeps livers healthier for up to nine hours before transplantation, leading to better liver function and increased survival rates. The system has shown promising results in animal studies, with 100% of pigs surviving after receiving perfused livers.
Scientists have developed a breakthrough culturing system for human liver stem cells and pancreatic cancer stem cells, allowing for the growth of mini-organisms in the lab. This technology has the potential to revolutionize liver transplantation and aid in the fight against pancreatic cancer, with applications in personalized medicine.
Experts argue that widespread hepatitis C screening may not lead to net clinical benefit, citing potential harms and a lack of strong evidence. Many patients infected with hepatitis C will not develop end-stage liver disease, rendering unnecessary treatment.
A novel nomogram was developed by UCLA researchers to accurately calculate the risk of disease recurrence in liver cancer patients after a liver transplant. The tool uses pre-transplant radiologic information, blood biomarkers, and pathological characteristics to predict recurrence rates.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified how a promising drug, amlexanox, improves sugar metabolism by generating a new signal between fat cells and the liver. The findings suggest a new pathway for future treatments for obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
A 24-week course of sofosbuvir and ribavirin prevents HCV recurrence after liver transplantation, with positive outcomes for short- and long-term health. The therapy is effective in 70% of patients, including those with advanced disease.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that liver cirrhosis is more common than previously thought, affecting approximately 633,000 adults in the US yearly. The study also revealed that 69% of these individuals may not be aware they have the disease.
Researchers discovered that triglyceride production in the liver is independent of insulin action, contributing to health risks in type 2 diabetics. The study's findings provide new insights into non-alcoholic liver disease and potential treatments.
A 30-year study found that neonatal HBV vaccination significantly reduced the risk of primary liver cancer and other liver diseases in young adults. The study's results show that vaccination led to a 84% reduction in liver cancer incidence, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Researchers found that blocking excessive mitochondrial fission reduced reactive oxygen species production and liver cell death in cholestasis. The study suggests novel therapies targeting this process could prevent liver damage.
Penn researchers developed mathematical models of collagen matrix stiffness, providing insights into fibrosis, cirrhosis, and certain cancers. The models show that nonlinear elasticity can arise from the ECM's fibrous structure, allowing for long-range force transmission and bridging formation.
Many HCV patients are lost in healthcare due to inadequate screening, testing, and treatment. A new study found that up to 70% of those with acute infection have no symptoms until years later.
Researchers have identified a compound in Korean mistletoe that can help treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Viscothionin, the key ingredient, has been shown to reduce body and liver weights in obese mice, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent.
A team of researchers found that inhibiting the intestinal farnesoid X receptor with drugs like tempol and antibiotics can prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. This discovery highlights the complex role of gut microbes in human health and potential targets for treating metabolic disorders.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that liver transplant recipients with limited literacy struggle to understand and adhere to their medication regimens, resulting in higher rates of organ rejection and graft loss. The study suggests that improving treatment knowledge and regimen use can reduce post-transplant re-hospital...
Researchers develop a propionate supplement that targets gut hormone release, leading to reduced food intake and fat distribution. The study shows significant weight loss and fat reduction in participants taking the supplement, with minimal side effects.
Scientists have developed a method to transmute living cells into more permanent materials that defy rot and can endure high-powered probes. This technique is widening research opportunities for biologists developing cancer treatments and materials scientists creating commercially useful shapes.
Indiana University researchers are developing a computational model to predict acetaminophen-induced liver failure, using advanced microscopic and computational technologies. The model aims to reduce the use of animals in toxicity studies while enabling realistic scientific predictions for environmental and human health problems.
Medical experts call for radical improvements in UK liver disease treatment and detection, citing a 'postcode lottery' for patients. The commission recommends increasing specialist centers and improving primary care services to address excessive alcohol use and obesity.
Researchers are developing a new type of cell therapy to treat liver cirrhosis, which claims 4000 lives in the UK each year. The therapy aims to reduce scarring and rebuild the damaged organ from within using macrophages.