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 found that urinary ethyl glucuronide (uEtG) is the strongest marker of alcohol use, detecting consumption in 31% of participants. The study suggests combining uEtG with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for better alerting doctors to potential issues.
A team of nanoengineers at UC San Diego created a 3D-printed hydrogel matrix to house nanoparticles, mimicking the function of the liver in sensing and capturing toxins from the blood. The device successfully neutralized pore-forming toxins, offering a potential solution for removing dangerous toxins from the blood.
Research found that snacking on high-fat and high-sugar foods increases intrahepatic triglyceride content and belly fat, but not with larger meal size. The study suggests cutting down on snacking may reduce the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A new machine perfusion system has been developed to increase the supply and quality of donor organs for liver transplantation. The system preserves metabolic function, preconditioning the liver before transplantation. Key findings include improved organ viability and reduced tissue damage.
Researchers found that lean patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) had a higher overall mortality rate and were more likely to be male and of lower socioeconomic status. They also showed signs of liver inflammation despite having less body fat and lower levels of liver damage.
Bariatric surgery resolves liver inflammation and reverses early-stage liver fibrosis by reducing fat deposits in the liver. The procedure showed significant improvement in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in severely obese patients.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that steroids after surgery do not improve bile flow in infants with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. The study also revealed that survival rates were nearly the same for both groups, but infants on steroids experienced more serious adverse events.
A study published in JAMA found that corticosteroids do not improve bile flow in infants with biliary atresia six months after surgery. Infants who received steroids experienced more surgical complications and infections than those receiving a placebo.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women with high gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels before pregnancy were twice as likely to develop gestational diabetes. The study also suggests a potential risk model to identify women who could benefit from pre-conception interventions.
A new study reveals that even light drinking increases the risk of liver fibrosis in people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Researchers found a stark difference between co-infected and uninfected groups, highlighting the importance of counseling patients to reduce alcohol consumption.
Research reveals that maternal malnutrition can lead to growth restriction, obesity, and diabetes in offspring, with a domino effect on the health of grandoffspring. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, may contribute to this transmission of disease risk.
Researchers have found that organs from donors with a history of certain cancers pose little risk to recipients, allowing for improved transplant survival rates. Optimizing donor organ preservation techniques can also improve graft function and reduce energy depletion in livers after circulatory death.
Scientists at the University of Arizona have discovered a molecular pathway that could help create new therapies for end-stage liver disease. By understanding how Nrf2 is suppressed in cirrhotic livers, researchers have identified Hrd1 as a key player in exacerbating the disease process.
A study has identified two subsets of Lyme disease in patients with acute infection, characterized by varying levels of immune system molecules. Patients with high mediator levels experience more severe symptoms and are at higher risk of developing post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. The findings may help doctors predict which patien...
A study published in PLOS Medicine demonstrates that mice with humanized livers can recapitulate the toxic effects of fialuridine, which caused liver failure in humans. The mouse model shows promise for detecting toxicity before human testing.
Hepatitis C virus infects liver cells' energy centers, damaging mitochondria and recruiting proteins to eliminate damaged area. This process helps the virus persist in the body, making mitochondrial operations a potential therapeutic target.
A study by UCL researchers has uncovered the underlying cause of hyper-susceptibility to infection in cirrhosis patients, which is due to overproduction of prostaglandin E2. The authors suggest that administering albumin infusions could reverse immune suppression and prevent infections in these patients.
Studies predict improved HCC patient outcomes with new diagnostic approaches. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI shows higher detection sensitivity for early-stage HCC, potentially improving treatment outcomes by ensuring optimum care.
Studies show sequential combination therapy with peginterferon and nucleoside analogues results in high complete response and HBsAg loss rates. Baseline HBsAg level and rate of decline during treatment predict treatment response. Adding peginterferon to entecavir enhances response rates, viral decline, and facilitates discontinuation.
The new interferon-free 3D regimen, consisting of ABT-450/R/ABT-267 and ABT-333 plus ribavirin, demonstrated consistently high cure rates across various patient types, including GT1a and compensated cirrhosis patients. The treatment achieved SVR12 rates of 96.2% in SAPPHIRE-I study participants.
A UK study found a genetic variant associated with fatty liver disease severity in pediatric patients. Patients had low vitamin D blood levels throughout the year, and most samples were deficient or insufficient in vitamin D status compared to national health standards.
SBEL1, a compound isolated from Chinese herbal medicines, has been found to inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity by approximately 90%. It blocks virus entry and inhibits IRES-mediated translation, reducing HCV protein production and RNA replication.
A phase III study found that simeprevir-based regimens achieved high SVR12 rates in HCV genotype 4-infected patients. The study showed that response-guided therapy criteria were met by most treatment-naïve and prior-relapser patients, resulting in high SVR12 rates.
Phase III study results show obeticholic acid produces meaningful biochemical improvements, including reduced ALP and bilirubin levels. The treatment also demonstrates significant clinical benefits, such as improved liver function parameters and a lower risk of liver transplantation and death.
A new fixed-dose combination of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir shows high cure rates for HCV genotype 1 patients, with only mild side effects. The treatment achieves SVR12 rates of up to 99% without the use of ribavirin, which is associated with significant side effects.
A new oral combination therapy has been shown to cure hepatitis C infection in over 90% of patients with liver cirrhosis, providing a significant improvement over the current treatment options. The study found that the treatment was well-tolerated and resulted in no long-term relapses.
A study found that gut microbiota plays a role in the development of alcoholic liver disease, with fecal microbiota transplantation showing promise as a potential treatment. The research highlights the importance of restoring gut functionality and re-establishing intestinal flora.
A new trial involving sofosbuvir demonstrated promising results for patients with recurring HCV post-liver transplant, achieving SVR12 in 62% of cases. Additionally, improvements in clinical conditions associated with hepatic decompensation and liver function tests were observed.
A recent study found that mortality from viral hepatitis is significantly higher than from HIV/AIDS across EU countries. In 2010, there were nearly 90,000 deaths due to hepatitis C and nearly 31,000 deaths due to hepatitis B, compared to just over 8,000 deaths from HIV/AIDS.
Researchers have developed robust new liver and fat cell models that report circadian clock function, allowing for high-throughput drug screening to find promising small molecules to resynchronize or help body clocks function normally.
Researchers have discovered an immunotherapeutic approach to treating liver cancer, utilizing isolated T-cell receptors that can recognize and eliminate liver cancer cells. This new treatment option holds promise for patients with limited treatment options, including those with advanced stage HCC.
A.S.P.E.N. Clinical Guidelines developed recommendations for the care of pediatric patients with intestinal failure at risk of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, while a prospective observational study found that feeding interruptions led to negative outcomes in critically ill patients. Intensive nutrition therapy also show...
Two studies confirmed NAFLD as an independent cardiovascular risk factor, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and carotid plaques. Improvement in liver health through treatment is associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetes.
A novel outcome prediction model has been developed using sequentially-assessed measures to generate an individualised mortality risk prediction without liver transplantation. The model uses age, encephalopathy, and cardiovascular failure severity on admission, as well as dynamic variables, to predict non-transplanted 15-day survival.
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) has published online recommendations for managing hepatitis C, which reflect the approval of three new direct-acting antivirals. The guidelines provide best practice on key areas, including treatment indications, available drugs, and measures to improve treatment adherence. Wit...
A recent study published in University of Eastern Finland found that the quality of dietary carbohydrates affects fatty acid composition in children's blood. High candy consumption and low high-fibre grain intake were linked to increased oleic acid levels, suggesting a potential role for delta-9-desaturase enzyme.
Researchers developed a nanoscale matrix biomaterial assembly that maintains liver cell morphology and function in microfluidic devices. The technology enables the creation of stable liver microtissues for use in organ-on-a-chip devices to mimic healthy liver physiology and test drug toxicity.
Consuming two or more cups of coffee per day significantly lowers the risk of death from liver cirrhosis, particularly non-viral hepatitis related cases. Heavy alcohol use increases cirrhosis mortality risk.
Researchers found that patients with low sodium levels prior to transplantation did not have higher mortality rates after surgery. The study, published in Liver Transplantation, analyzed data from over 19,500 patients who received a liver transplant in the US between 2003 and 2010.
A systematic review of 47 studies found that surveillance screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis patients led to earlier detection, curative treatment, and longer survival. The pooled 3-year survival rate among screened patients was 50.8%, compared to 27.9% among unscreened patients.
Scientists have developed a liver organ construct that responds to toxins like real human livers, paving the way for more accurate drug screening. The project aims to create interconnected human organ constructs using a miniaturized platform, potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency in toxicology testing.
A new project, ATHENA, is developing four human organ constructs that mimic the response of actual human organs. The system, which includes a liver, heart, lung, and kidney, aims to provide a realistic and cost-effective way to screen new drugs and toxic agents.
A new study reveals that veterans with liver disease who live over 100 miles from a VA liver transplant center are only half as likely to be placed on the transplant waitlist, increasing their risk of death. The further away they live, the less likely they are to receive a transplant and ultimately die.
A study found that veterans living farther from transplant centers were less likely to be added to a waitlist or receive a transplant, and more likely to die. The researchers suggest that this may be due to reduced access for evaluation and relocation needs.
A UT Southwestern Medical Center study identified phosphatidic acids as a new potential therapeutic target for controlling high blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Inhibiting or reducing production of phosphatidic acids may help regulate glucose levels.
Scientists have developed 'chemosynthetic livers' that can mimic human metabolism, allowing researchers to test drug safety and interactions without animal testing. The technology has already demonstrated accurate results with over 50 pharmaceutical compounds.
Patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C have an 80 percent higher rate of decompensated cirrhosis than hepatitis C-only patients. Even when ART is effective, they still experience a 60 percent higher risk of serious liver disease compared to those with hepatitis C alone.
A recent study published in Liver Transplantation reveals that only 17% of liver transplant centers offer an alibi to potential donors, highlighting the need for standardization. The researchers recommend including written offers of alibis in consent forms to preserve donor autonomy.
A rare metabolic disease causing liver failure and autistic behavior showed significant improvements after a liver transplant, suggesting an unexpected link between metabolic conditions and some forms of autism. The patient's normalization of cholesterol levels after transplantation halted the progression of neurological damage.
A Rice University-led team of researchers found that liver cells up-regulate glycolytic pathway to produce more energy in response to disease, leading to net gain in metabolic output. The study suggests new treatments to delay liver failure by boosting glycolytic energy production.
A study of 39 young adults found that consuming polyunsaturated fat resulted in less body fat and more muscle mass than consuming saturated fat. This is significant for preventing obesity-related disorders like type-2 diabetes, as it suggests that a diet rich in unsaturated fats may help regulate fat distribution.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF have made a breakthrough in regenerative medicine by transforming skin cells into mature, fully functioning liver cells. The new method offers hope for treating liver failure and could serve as an alternative to liver transplants.
A Japanese study found that sarcopenia, a loss of skeletal muscle mass, increases the risk of sepsis and mortality in patients undergoing live donor liver transplantation. Early nutritional support with enteral nutrition reduced sepsis rates in these patients. Treating malnutrition may reduce mortality risk following transplantation.
Researchers found that prostaglandin E2 presence determines stem cell fate, with more present becoming liver cells and less becoming pancreas cells. The discovery could lead to easier generation of liver and pancreas cells for lab research and future therapies.
Innate lymphoid cells play key roles in protecting against infection or parasites, but their origin and function were unknown until now. Researchers identify ILCPs in fetal liver and adult bone marrow, paving the way for a better understanding of the immune system's first line of defense.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can efficiently silence target genes in the liver, showing promise for treating cancer and other diseases. The new particles, inspired by lipoproteins, achieve gene knockdown with a small amount of RNA, minimizing side effects in other tissues.
A Weizmann Institute of Science study reveals that daily fluctuations in triglycerides in the liver are driven by internal 'body clocks' and timing of meals. Researchers found that restricting nighttime feeding led to a 50% decrease in liver TAG levels, suggesting that meal times can affect lipid accumulation.
A recent Penn Medicine study reveals that patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome may be receiving unnecessary priority on the liver transplant wait list. The study found that these patients often have poor post-transplant survival rates and that a significant proportion of them do not meet clear clinical indications for transplantation.
University of Adelaide researchers have identified a crucial mechanism that can prevent liver failure resulting from excessive paracetamol consumption. By targeting the transient receptor potential melanostatine-2 (TRPM2) channel, they hope to develop new treatments for paracetamol overdose and potentially other liver-damaging poisonings.
A UC Riverside-led study found significant damage in the liver and lung of mice exposed to third-hand smoke, with wounds taking longer to heal and displaying hyperactivity. The study's findings suggest a critical need for research on human health risks associated with third-hand smoke exposure.