Research on the liver in health and disease. Covers liver-disease subtypes, the liver's role in circadian timing, targeted therapies, and cell regulation.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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
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.
MDC researchers have developed a new treatment approach for acute liver failure by utilizing the protein ARC, which stops excessive apoptosis in the liver. The treatment, TAT-ARC, has been shown to reverse liver failure and restore function in mice, offering a promising new hope for patients with this life-threatening disease.
A new study published in Liver Transplantation found that pediatric liver transplant recipients are at increased risk of graft loss and death from adult organ donors who are severely obese. However, the study also suggests that a BMI of 25-35 kg/m2 is not associated with an increased risk of mortality in this population.
A recent study found that miR-122 is involved in modulating fat and cholesterol metabolism in the liver. Additionally, it may have a tumor suppressive function in hepatocytes, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma. The molecule's role in liver homeostasis has also been highlighted.
A new study suggests that loss of microRNA-122 leads to liver cancer and that restoring this molecule may slow tumor growth. The researchers developed a model where mice lack miR-122 and develop liver cancer, which can be treated by restoring the molecule.
A new Penn study of 154 participants with chronic HCV found that silymarin supplements offered no significant improvements in liver disease treatment. The trial tested higher-than-normal doses of silymarin and concluded it had no impact on ALT levels or quality-of-life measures.
A long-term study found increased deaths from both liver-related and non-liver diseases in patients with active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections who had not cleared their infection. Chronic HCV infections can lead to increased mortality, even in people without symptoms.
A multicenter clinical trial published in JAMA found that silymarin supplements have no effect on serum ALT levels or hepatitis C virus levels. The study involved 154 patients with chronic hepatitis C and showed no significant differences in response between treatment groups.
Researchers found that silymarin supplements did not improve liver function or reduce symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant chronic hepatitis C. The study suggests that alternative treatments may be needed for this disease, which affects nearly 3% of the global population.
Researchers identify molecule that sequesters copper and routes it through urine, providing a previously unknown escape route from the body. This discovery could lead to new treatments for Wilson's disease, a rare disorder that causes copper accumulation in the liver.
The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement addressing varied cardiac evaluation policies in transplant patients. The guidelines aim to standardize cardiac evaluation practices before kidney and liver transplantation, reducing unnecessary testing and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at UC San Diego have discovered a chemical called KL001 that affects the activity of cryptochrome, a key protein regulating our circadian rhythm. This finding offers a promising direction for developing new treatments for type 2 diabetes.
Research finds that tobacco use increases the risk of viral hepatitis reinfection after liver transplantation. Smokers may experience lower immune system response, making them more susceptible to complications.
A study found that liver stiffness measured by transient elastography is an independent predictor of liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality in cirrhotic patients coinfected with HIV/HCV. The measurement also predicts potential recovery and survival in patients with cirrhosis.
A recent study published in Hepatology found that levels of hepatitis C virus (HCV) were higher among African-American and male injection drug users. The study also revealed that HCV RNA levels are influenced by demographic, viral, and human genetic factors, making it an important predictor of treatment response.
Cyanobacteria populations are increasing globally due to global warming, producing more toxins that harm humans and the environment. In Spain, toxic cyanobacteria blooms in wetlands have been linked to high mortality rates among wildlife and potential human health risks.
Scientists have created a new laboratory opossum model to study nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a common liver disease affecting up to 15 million Americans. The study found that high responders carried a mutated ABCB4 gene, leading to cholesterol accumulation in the liver and potential development of NASH.
The guidelines provide evidence-based information for diagnosing and managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is rapidly becoming the most common cause of cirrhosis in the US. The condition can lead to liver cancer and failure, emphasizing the need for standardized medical care.
A new MIT study examines how chronic inflammation can lead to cancer. The researchers found that the liver and colon respond differently to infection, with neutrophils secreting hypochlorous acid damaging proteins and DNA in the colon. The study could help predict the risk of chronic inflammation and develop ways to halt it.
Researchers in Japan have successfully generated a new liver system using hepatocyte cell transplantation. The study demonstrated the feasibility of propagating mouse hepatocytes by creating a vascularized platform and uniform hepatocyte sheets, leading to the functionality of the engineered liver system.
Dr. Rebecca Ruebner's study found that end-stage kidney disease is relatively uncommon in children after liver transplantation, occurring in 2% of patients. However, children who develop end-stage kidney disease have a high mortality rate, highlighting the importance of closely following them for early signs of kidney disease.
A new study from VCU School of Medicine has identified molecular changes that may explain the severity of liver disease and risks to heart health in patients with fatty liver. The findings suggest increased cholesterol production and decreased expression of a receptor that takes up cholesterol, leading to cardiovascular disease.