Articles tagged with Liver
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that consuming grapes reduced inflammation and fat storage in obesity-prone rats. Grape intake also improved antioxidant defense, particularly in the liver and kidneys.
A large-scale genetic study has associated nine new genetic regions with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare autoimmune liver disease. The study definitively proves PSC is a distinct disease, despite its genetic relationship to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Researchers identified a specific profile of patients suffering from acute-on-chronic liver failure syndrome, characterized by high mortality rates and organ malfunctions. The study provides new diagnostic criteria for the condition, which is associated with cirrhosis and can be linked to patient age and medical history.
Despite concerns over high vitamin E intake, a new review concludes that the body can eliminate excess levels of the vitamin, making it impossible to take a harmful amount. Vitamin E is essential for proper organ function and has antioxidant properties.
A new genetic screen has identified the MKK4 gene as a promising therapeutic target to enhance liver regeneration. The study reveals that inhibiting MKK4 can increase hepatocyte production and survival, leading to healthier livers and improved long-term survival in mice.
Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without advanced fibrosis do not have higher mortality risk, according to new research. However, those likely to progress to advanced fibrosis had a 69% increase in mortality compared to those without fibrosis.
Researchers found that children and adults with genetic liver disorders have good chances of survival five years after a liver transplant. High survival rates also imply that liver transplantation is the best available treatment for these patients.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that US transplant providers would not offer transplants to patients with advanced age, severe obesity, or lifetime imprisonment. The majority also believe marijuana use and psychiatric diagnoses are contraindications for liver transplantation.
Scientists have found that hepatocytes can transform into biliary cells in response to injury, a process dependent on the activation of endogenous Notch signaling. This discovery provides direct evidence for cellular reprogramming in mammals and may lead to new treatments for diseases involving bile duct deficiency.
A new study published in Hepatology found that hepatitis C transmission from an infected partner during sex is extremely rare in monogamous heterosexual relationships. The researchers recruited 500 couples and found a maximum incidence rate of 0.07% per year, equivalent to roughly 1 case per 190,000 sexual contacts.
Researchers found that co-infection with HIV speeds up the progression of liver disease in individuals infected with hepatitis C, increasing the severity of scarring and cirrhosis by nearly a decade. The studies identified two genetic mutations that may help the immune system fight off the HCV virus more effectively.
A line of special liver cells called PICM-19 has the potential to perform many of the same functions as a human liver. The immortal cell line can be used to study various diseases, including liver cancers and cystic fibrosis, and may enable the development of artificial liver devices.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against daily supplementation with vitamin D ≤ 400 IU and calcium ≤ 1,000 mg for fracture prevention in postmenopausal women. Daily supplementation has no net benefit and increases the risk of kidney stones, according to a systematic evidence review.
Researchers found that injecting NAC prior to harvesting significantly improves graft survival, with suboptimal organ usage showing higher benefits. The study suggests using NAC during organ procurement to reduce damage and improve transplant outcomes.
OHSU scientists have made a breakthrough by growing human liver stem cells in culture, demonstrating their therapeutic potential. The study's findings suggest that these cells can be infinitely expanded and converted into functional liver cells, offering new hope for treating chronic liver diseases.
Researchers found that IQGAP1, a molecule controlling cell shape and movement, can suppress the growth of liver tumors when active in surrounding cells. The study provides new insight into cancer metastasis and points to potential therapeutic targets for preventing or treating liver metastases.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that consuming high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose at average daily levels does not increase liver fat. The findings add to scientific evidence that HFCS and table sugar are metabolically equivalent.
A team of researchers at the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute has found that amlexanox, an off-patent drug, can reverse obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver in mice. The study suggests that the drug works by inhibiting two genes involved in metabolic balance, leading to increased metabolism and weight loss.
Research suggests that monitoring hepatic function with HIDA SPECT prior to and during radiation therapy can help tailor treatment plans for unresectable liver cancer patients. This assessment method allows for personalized radiation doses while minimizing the risk of liver injury.
Researchers have identified a microRNA liver gene, miR-27b, which regulates lipid (cholesterol or fat) levels in the blood. The study found that miR-27b is sensitive to high triglycerides and is involved in lipid metabolism.
Research in England and Wales reveals a significant reduction in paracetamol overdose deaths due to smaller pack sizes, with a 43% decrease over 11 years. However, the study's authors caution that this trend may not continue if further measures are not taken to limit the death toll.
Research at Oregon State University found that DHA supplementation reduced liver fibrosis by over 65% in laboratory animals. This study suggests that DHA may be a more effective dietary supplement than EPA for preventing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other liver diseases.
Research reveals that a gene switch in the liver is responsible for lowering blood fat levels in cancer patients, leading to dramatic weight loss. The study found that silencing this gene switch in the liver can restore normal lipid levels and muscle mass.
A study found that non-use of donor livers rose significantly between 2004 and 2010, primarily linked to decreased donor liver quality and increased donation after cardiac death. This trend threatens a significant decline in liver transplant availability.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that metformin suppresses glucagon's ability to generate a signaling molecule, pointing to new drug targets. This finding could lead to improved diabetes treatments with reduced side effects.
Achieving sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon-based treatment is associated with lower all-cause mortality and reduced risk of liver-related complications in patients with chronic HCV infection. SVR was linked to a prolonged overall survival, with a 4-fold lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those without SVR.
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that activating the unfolded protein response (UPR) triggers the expression of Xbp1s, a protein regulating genes needed for metabolic switch. This suggests Xbp1s could play a role in metabolic disease.
Researchers have successfully transplanted genetically modified adipose cells into mice with liver disease, demonstrating their potential as a therapy. The study used bioluminescent imaging to track the cells' migration and engraftment in the liver, revealing their ability to persist for up to two months.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine found that liver mitochondria in mice improve and increase after chronic alcohol feeding, suggesting a possible mechanism for liver damage. The study's findings could help pinpoint targets for therapy if observed in human mitochondria.
A bioartificial liver machine has been scaled up and tested in a large animal model, providing temporary support for liver regeneration. The system uses encapsulated human-derived liver cells grown in a bioreactor and can be transported to a patient's bedside within 48 hours.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have developed a synthetic compound that reverses the effects of fatty liver disease by suppressing lipid production in the liver. The compound, SR9238, also significantly lowered total cholesterol levels and reduced markers for liver damage.
Researchers have identified a new mutation in the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency gene that could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The finding extends understanding of Alpha-1 at the molecular level, potentially leading to new drug development.
Hepatitis C virus triggers liver cell entry through PI3K and AKT pathway activation, potentially leading to cancer, cirrhosis, or organ failure. Researchers identified a novel target for anti-HCV drugs by disrupting the PI3K-AKT pathway.
Researchers have discovered a gene called BAF60c that plays a crucial role in converting dietary carbohydrates into fat. The study found that mice with the disabled gene did not produce excess fat despite eating a high-carb diet.
The study reveals that baby boomers with hepatitis C are at risk of developing liver cancer, leading to a significant increase in liver transplant demand. As this population ages, the number of liver transplants for HCV-related liver disease is expected to rise.
Researchers at U-M found BPA in fetal liver tissue, with varying levels of exposure detected. The study suggests that fetuses may not be able to metabolize BPA as effectively as adults, highlighting the importance of understanding internal doses for health effects.
Researchers have identified early liver function changes as a potential indicator of severe sepsis. The study found that these changes occur hours before conventional markers and are linked to clinical outcomes. This breakthrough has significant implications for diagnosing and treating patients with critical illness.
A new study published in Hepatology found that African American women co-infected with HIV and HCV have lower liver-related mortality rates compared to Caucasian and Hispanic women. This finding suggests that racial disparities in liver disease may be influenced by other factors beyond just the presence of the virus.
Researchers found that living donor liver transplant recipients had better quality of life than the general Japanese population, except those with medical problems after donation. The study also discovered a significant correlation between decreased long-term HRQOL and age, persistence of symptoms, or additional diseases.
Researchers characterized a drug about to enter clinical development by using mouse models with humanized livers, accurately predicting significant aspects of its behavior in humans. The findings hold huge implications for drug development, hinting that the drug could be both safe and effective in treating hepatitis C
A 25-year study confirms the efficacy of nitisinone treatment for tyrosinemia, a life-threatening liver disease. Newborns treated with nitisinone from birth can have normal liver function after five years, erasing doubts about the treatment's benefits.
Researchers found oxidative stress in an animal model of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, which may benefit from antioxidant treatment. The study identifies potential alterations in gene expression pathways that could modify disease development.
A new study reveals that time-of-day specific treatment with a synthetic glucocorticoid can shift the circadian rhythms of atria samples, but with different effects on the direction of shifts compared to the liver. The study highlights the sensitivity of the heart's circadian clock to glucocorticoid signaling.
Scientists at CU-Boulder have discovered the cellular targets of the Hepatitis B virus, including proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for liver disease in millions of people infected with the virus, many of whom lack access to effective treatment.
A recent UCSF study found that most liver transplant candidates who died or were removed from the transplant list received one or more liver donation offers prior to death/delisting. The study suggests that efforts to reduce wait-list mortality must target multiple factors beyond just organ availability.
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy, the leading cause of kidney failure, by activating liver x receptor (LXR) to inhibit osteopontin expression. Activation of LXR with a drug named T0901317 improves kidney health and function in diabetic mice.
Researchers aim to understand the natural history and progression of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a liver disease that can cause damage in children and adults. The multi-center study will provide information on treatment options for companies developing pharmaceuticals.
A recent study found that treating hepatitis C in prison can be just as effective as treatment for non-incarcerated patients, with 43% of prisoners achieving a sustained viral response. The research highlights the importance of providing antiviral therapy to incarcerated individuals to curb the spread of hepatitis C.
Researchers identified miR-34a's role in fatty liver disease and Type II diabetes. Blocking miR-34a improved metabolic outcomes, including decreased liver fat and improved blood glucose levels.
Researchers found that high fructose intake is associated with more severe depletion of liver ATP, a compound involved in energy transfer between cells. Elevated uric acid levels may serve as a marker for increased fructose consumption and hepatic ATP depletion.
Researchers have developed a novel human liver-chimeric mouse model that enables the study of human malaria's lethal forms. The FRGTM KO mouse model will be used to study new drug interventions, parasite attenuation, and innate immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum liver stage infection.
Two recent cases highlight the risks of foreign body mishaps in the gut, including a woman who developed a liver abscess and sepsis after swallowing a toothpick. Surgical swabs left behind during procedures can also cause problems, as seen in another case where removal resolved symptoms.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has an excellent survival rate for patients with acute liver failure, with a 10-year survival of 73%. Patient age and donor age are significant factors in long-term outcome post-transplant. The study suggests that LDLT is a viable treatment ...
Researchers developed a monoclonal antibody that protects chimpanzees from HCV infection in a dose-dependent manner. The study provides preclinical proof-of-concept for the use of neutralizing antibodies to prevent HCV transmission, which could lead to improved treatment options for patients with end-stage liver disease.
A new 'traffic light' test can diagnose liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in high-risk populations more easily than current methods. The test provides a color-coded system, with red indicating scarring, green indicating no cirrhosis, and amber indicating a 50:50 chance of scarring.
Research suggests that a mother's placental blood flow during pregnancy affects her baby's body fatness, with higher liver blood flow associated with greater body fatness. This adaptation may have evolved to prioritize brain growth but instead leads to a predisposition for obesity and diabetes in contemporary societies.
Scientists have identified biomarkers that predict rapid onset of liver damage in hepatitis C patients after a liver transplant. These markers appear soon after the transplant and before clinical evidence of liver damage, offering new hope for personalized monitoring and treatment options.
A study of children with chronic hepatitis C found that those treated with peginterferon alpha experienced significant changes in height, weight, and BMI, which were reversible after treatment cessation. Height-for-age scores did not return to baseline for many children two years after stopping therapy.
A new study found that hepatitis A vaccination in children under 2 years old is highly effective, with most retaining protection for at least 10 years. The vaccine's effectiveness was not affected by the transfer of mothers' antibodies to their child, contradicting previous concerns.
A study published in Hepatology reports a promising new therapy for liver fibrosis, a scarring process associated with chronic liver disease that can lead to organ failure. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor GKT137831 was found to suppress fibrotic gene expression and prevent further fibrosis in mouse models.