Research on the liver in health and disease. Covers liver-disease subtypes, the liver's role in circadian timing, targeted therapies, and cell regulation.
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.
Researchers found that mature hepatocytes offered better repopulation efficiency than stem/progenitor cells after transplantation into liver-injured rats. The mature hepatocytes continued to survive and proliferate for up to one year, while the stem/progenitor cells died within two months.
Children are at risk of liver failure and death from acetaminophen overdoses, which can be prevented with improved labelling, dosing devices, and pharmacist counseling. N-acetylcysteine is the standard treatment for liver toxicity related to an overdose.
A new study suggests that chronic hepatitis B virus infection may be as high as 2.2 million cases in the US, with foreign-born individuals contributing significantly to this burden. The prevalence is higher than previously reported and affects up to 400 million individuals worldwide.
A phase III trial found that men without liver metastases lived 8.2 months longer than those with metastasis, despite similar progression-free survival and response to chemotherapy.
A 16th-century Korean child's mummified liver has revealed a unique hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C2 sequence common in Southeast Asia, providing insight into the virus's evolution and spread. The ancient genome is the oldest full viral genome described in scientific literature.
The Multisociety Sedation Curriculum for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy provides a comprehensive framework for training gastroenterologists in procedure sedation. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of practice and research based on ethical principles, aiming to balance patient comfort with safety.
A new study explores the progression of diseases leading to liver damage, affecting diverse populations, including young people. The research shows that obesity is putting teens at risk for developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which may lead to lifelong problems and serious consequences.
A University of Michigan Health System study reveals that Bcl10 is necessary for the harmful effects of high-fat foods on insulin action and blood sugar regulation. The findings suggest that even short-term changes in diet can induce insulin resistance, highlighting the importance of understanding the body's response to indulgent eating.
Doctors at Georgetown University Medical Center successfully treated four patients with amanitin poisoning using an IV preparation of milk thistle seeds. The treatment prevented liver failure and allowed all patients to fully recover without significant consequence.
Researchers found that naked mole rats have a greater number of proteasomes and higher protein-disposal activity in liver cells, enabling them to maintain good health. The discovery provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the animal's exceptional ability to resist aging.
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that activated myofibroblasts can revert to an inactive phenotype during liver healing, suggesting a potential treatment approach for reversing fibrosis. This discovery has implications for treating not only liver but also lung and kidney fibrosis.
Research suggests that liver fat can be beneficial if stored in tiny coated droplets, reducing glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Circadian rhythm regulation of histone deacetylase 3 may play a crucial role in metabolic management.
A new study finds that liver transplants performed at night or on weekends have similar survival rates as daytime operations. Patient and graft survival rates were unaffected by the timing of the transplant, with slight increases in graft failure rate noted only at 365 days.
A family history of liver cancer is associated with a 70-fold increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, independent of hepatitis B or C markers. Monitoring individuals with family history and hepatitis markers may help identify HCC at an earlier stage.
Two studies found that severe fibrosis increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis at an earlier period. Fatty liver disease also increases risk, with GGT levels serving as a potential biomarker for early atherosclerosis.
A University of Illinois study reveals that soy protein can alleviate symptoms of fatty liver disease by partially restoring a key signaling pathway. The research found a 20% reduction in triglycerides and overall fat accumulation in the livers of obese rats fed soy, suggesting its potential as a treatment option.
A University of Illinois study found that soy protein reduces triglycerides and fat accumulation in the liver of obese rats. The researchers believe that soy protein isolate can alleviate the symptoms of fatty liver disease by partially restoring a key signaling pathway.
A large-scale Danish study has found a positive link between childhood obesity and the development of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) in adulthood. The study monitored over 165,000 participants and found that as BMI increased during childhood, so did the risk of developing HCC.
Researchers have discovered a new and improved version of an enzyme that can detoxify deadly nerve agents, such as sarin. The PON1 variant shows 40-3,400-fold higher efficiency in metabolizing the three most toxic G-type nerve agents.
The EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on Alcoholic Liver Disease provide recommendations for managing alcohol abuse and dependence, diagnosing liver diseases, and treating patients with ALD. The guidelines also identify areas for future research, including clinical trials.
A study presented at the International Liver Congress 2012 suggests that gut microbiota transplantation can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study found that transplanting microbiota from healthy mice prevented insulin resistance and liver inflammation in germ-free mice.
Research published in The Journal of Hepatology found that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the risk and severity of liver disease in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD). Patients with NALFD who consume two drinks or less daily are half as likely to develop hepatitis as non-drinkers, experiencing less severe l...
Studies reveal the significant financial cost of liver disease in Europe, with hospitalisations accounting for 50.6% of direct costs per month. Moreover, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has a high short-term mortality rate of 35.5%, emphasizing the need for better diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies.
A US study demonstrates that hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication can be limited by innate immune responses in murine cells. Inactivating these pathways and expressing entry factors enables infection and support of HCV replication.
Activated CD14+Trem-1+iNOS+ intestinal macrophages increase NO production, leading to enhanced intestinal permeability and bacterial product translocation. This upregulation contributes to the development of decompensated liver cirrhosis.
Recent clinical trials show promise for treating previously difficult to treat HCV patients, including those co-infected with HIV, and immunosuppressant-free treatment options like TMC435. New findings indicate higher SVR24 rates with addition of Boceprevir to PegIFN-α-2b and RBV.
The liver has been found to have a major impact on body weight regulation through its ability to influence appetite hormones in the brain. Research published in Diabetes reveals that overexpression of FBPase enzyme in the liver leads to reduced fat accumulation and decreased food intake.
Researchers identified stem cells in gallbladder tissue with the ability to repopulate injured livers and improve synthetic functions. These cells hold promise for treating various liver and metabolic diseases, including diabetes.
Recent clinical trials confirm that combinations of antivirals can provide a more effective treatment with fewer side effects. The new therapies target genotypes 1, 2, or 3 and include direct-acting antivirals and host-targeting antivirals.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover molecular switch controlling liver glucose production, potentially offering new avenue for treating insulin-resistant type II diabetes. The discovery may lead to agents that can selectively damp down activity of the IP3 spigot and calcineurin accelerator to lower blood sugar levels.
Researchers have discovered that Rev-erb proteins play a crucial role in controlling the body's internal clock and fat metabolism. When both proteins are not functioning, the liver fills with fat, leading to metabolic disorders. The study highlights the importance of understanding the circadian rhythm of metabolism.
Researchers found antibodies that can prevent infection from widely differing strains of HCV in cell culture and animal models. The newly discovered antibodies attach to sites on the viral envelope that seldom mutate, making them promising targets for an HCV vaccine.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that liver cancer patients are less likely to die or become too sick for a transplant while waiting on the list compared to non-HCC candidates. The study suggests re-examining the prioritization criteria used to determine waitlist placement.
A study published in Hepatology found that diagnosing minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) with the inhibitory control test and treating it with lactulose is cost-effective, preventing car accidents and reducing societal costs. The treatment prevents motor vehicle collisions and saves up to $3.6 million over a 5-year period.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that obese youths with particular genetic variants are more susceptible to fatty liver disease. The study focused on three ethnic groups and measured liver fat content using magnetic resonance imaging.
Severe ill health has been found in bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, which received heavy exposure to oil during the Deepwater Horizon spill. Preliminary results show underweight, anemic and diseased dolphins, as well as low levels of stress response hormones.
Research finds Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing protein-3 (PNPLA3) and glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR) genetic variants contribute to fatty liver disease in obese children, explaining up to 39% of hepatic fat content.
A new study found that liver cancer patients are less likely to die on the wait list than non-HCC candidates, with HCC patients having substantially lower odds of waitlist removal for death or deterioration. The researchers argue that exception points currently allotted for HCC should be lowered.
Researchers at UCI Center for Epigenetics & Metabolism discovered that circadian rhythms significantly impact liver metabolite production, with approximately 60% dependent on the body clock. This finding has implications for understanding obesity, high cholesterol, and metabolic diseases.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have identified the role of stem and progenitor cells in liver regeneration. Bone marrow-derived progenitor cells were found to be required for liver regeneration following surgical removal, shedding light on liver complications associated with suppressed bone marrow tissue.
A Michigan State University anthropologist has exposed the horrific experiences of poor people who were victims of organ trafficking. Moniruzzaman's study found that kidney sellers are often plagued with health problems and receive inadequate compensation.
A small study of 25 patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia found improved cardiac output and reduced duration and number of episodes of nose bleeds after receiving bevacizumab. The treatment also significantly improved quality of life, with moderate toxicity observed.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a way to increase hepatocyte cells, which detoxify the liver, by encouraging their production instead of bile duct cells. This breakthrough could help develop drugs to encourage liver self-repair and ease pressure on waiting lists for liver transplants.
Researchers found that induced hyperammonaemia significantly increases daytime sleepiness in patients with cirrhosis. Higher blood ammonia levels reduce the ability of cirrhotic patients to produce restorative sleep. This study suggests that reducing daytime sleepiness may result in improved sleep at night.
A recent study published in Liver Transplantation confirms that ultrasound-based transient elastography is an effective diagnostic tool for detecting cirrhosis caused by recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation. The non-invasive technology offers quick and painless assessment, with high sensitivity and specificity estimates.
Researchers created a new method using calculus equations to estimate acetaminophen overdose patient prognosis, predicting those who can survive with antidote treatment versus those needing a liver transplant. The study analyzed 53 patients and showed the method's accuracy in determining survival outcomes.
Researchers have overturned a 'textbook' view of liver metabolism, revealing a backup pathway that governs glucose production. The discovery suggests new targets for diabetes drugs and may help bypass the block in insulin action that occurs in Type 2 diabetes.
A study published in Nature suggests that faulty fat sensor GPR120 may contribute to obesity and liver disease. Mice deficient in GPR120 are more prone to developing these conditions when fed a high-fat diet, highlighting the protein as a promising target for new treatments.
The UK is projected to see up to 210,000 avoidable alcohol-related deaths over the next 20 years, including 70,000 from liver disease. The government can take action to prevent this by implementing evidence-based measures such as increasing prices and reducing availability.
Research reveals that cirrhosis patients losing muscle mass have a significantly shorter survival rate than those with normal muscle mass. The study's findings suggest that muscle mass should be considered alongside current scoring systems when assessing transplant list placement.
The guidelines describe best practice for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Wilson's disease, a rare genetic disorder that can cause liver failure and brain damage. Treatment options include chelating agents and zinc, with prolonged survival becoming the norm for patients.
Researchers found that rituximab, a monoclonal antibody, was safe and effective in reducing liver damage in PBC patients who had an incomplete response to UDCA therapy. The study showed significant reductions in alkaline phosphatase levels and anti-mitochondrial antibodies after treatment.
Research published in Hepatology found that moderate coffee consumption decreases the risk of advanced fibrosis in NASH patients. The study also showed a significant correlation between coffee intake and reduced risk of hepatic fibrosis, particularly among patients with NASH stage 0-1.
A pilot study found that 60% of children who received liver tissue from a parent can safely discontinue immunosuppression. The study identified three clinical factors that predict which pediatric liver transplant patients are most likely to do well if the medications are withdrawn.
Researchers found that cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a significant predictor of mortality in patients after liver transplantation. The study showed that patients with higher fitness levels had lower mortality rates, making CPET a valuable tool for assessing liver transplant candidates.
A study in zebrafish reveals that a gene mutation affects ketone body transport, leading to lipid accumulation in the liver. This discovery provides new insights into nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its link to energy metabolism.
Researchers aim to create a predictive model for liver metabolism using cellular control of fat metabolism as an optimal feedback-control system. The goal is to analyze and optimally compute possible interventions for treating fatty livers, leading to personalized medicine approaches.
Research from Michigan Medicine shows a 15% increase in post-liver transplant kidney failure among recipients since the implementation of Model of End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) allocation. Modifiable risk factors identified include African American race, hepatitis C, and pre-transplant diabetes.
Researchers at UBC have found a way to block infection from the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the liver, leading to new therapies for those affected by this and other infectious diseases. The approach could benefit millions of people globally.