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 large-scale study found metabolic syndrome significantly increases risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, two major types of primary liver cancer. Metabolic syndrome was present in 37% of persons who developed HCC and 30% of those who developed ICC, compared to 17% of those without cancer.
A recent study found that increased body mass index (BMI) is an independent predictor of clinical decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis. The researchers suggest that weight reduction may improve patient outcomes and that measures to reduce BMI could improve the prognosis for patients with advanced liver disease.
Researchers have identified a way to exploit brain's self-repair mechanism to protect nerve cells and enhance brain repair after stroke. Estradiol has been shown to protect male rats against beta-cell failure in rodent models of type 2 diabetes, suggesting estrogen receptors as a viable therapeutic target.
Researchers have identified specific resistance mutations in the p7 protein that may explain the lack of effectiveness of current p7 inhibitor drugs. The study supports the use of combination therapies inhibiting p7 as a potential component of future HCV-specific treatments, offering new hope for effective therapies.
A new study found that a specific gene variant, PNPLA3 rs738409, is linked to an increased risk of developing fatty liver and faster fibrosis progression in people with chronic hepatitis C. The study suggests this genetic predictor may also be used as a potential therapeutic target for treating the condition.
A small study found PCI to be safe in patients with significant CAD who were referred for liver transplantation. The procedure was successfully performed in 94% of patients, and all remained clinically stable at one month following the intervention.
A new drug telaprevir has been shown to offer a faster and stronger viral cure for hepatitis C than standard treatment, with 75% of patients cured compared to 44% on standard therapy. The study also found significant benefits in subgroups of patients who do not typically respond well to standard therapy.
A recent study reveals that hepatitis A virus (HAV) evades the innate immune response more effectively than hepatitis C virus (HCV), which causes chronic infections. The research provides critical insights into the nature of HCV's persistence and highlights the importance of understanding how the body responds to these viruses.
Researchers found that PKD1 gene activity is key to cyst formation in various forms of polycystic kidney and liver disease. Modulating PKD1 dosage may slow disease progression, providing a promising therapeutic target.
A new study reveals a powerful vaccination approach that targets the liver stage of malaria parasites, providing long-lasting and diverse immune cell responses. This strategy offers a promising model for developing effective next-generation vaccines.
A new study found that non-invasive liver tests can accurately predict the five-year survival rate of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Liver stiffness measurement and the FibroTest were shown to have high predictive values for overall survival and survival without liver-related death.
A new analysis found mortality from all causes to be higher in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. The study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, compared mortality rates among 9,378 adults with and without hepatitis C and found a two-fold increased risk of death from both liver- and non-liver related causes.
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) has been awarded a $1.4M grant to develop Personalized Medicine for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). The project aims to identify new biomarkers and disease predictors to improve diagnosis and treatment options.
A new study found that coffee consumption improved treatment response in advanced patients with chronic liver disease and hepatitis C. Patients who drank three or more cups of coffee per day were two times more likely to respond to treatment, with higher rates of early virologic response and sustained virologic response.
A new study found that overweight men are at a significantly higher risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver compared to those who drink heavily. The research followed 855 men for up to 40 years and discovered that both excess weight and high levels of blood fats increased liver damage, while alcohol's link was not statistically proven.
Researchers will study the effects of carbon tetrachloride and dichloroethylene on engineered liver tissue. The goal is to understand cell-and organ-wide effects of toxic substance mixtures, a crucial step in preventing chronic health problems.
Elastography and serum markers are non-invasive diagnostic options reviewed in an editorial, showing promise in detecting liver fibrosis. The use of diagnostic liver biopsy is declining due to its limitations, and these alternatives may be more advantageous to patients.
Researchers discovered a compound that prevents further injury to damaged livers, improving clinical outcomes for patients. The study, published in ACS' journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, offers hope for increasing the number of available livers for organ donation.
Researchers at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences have shown that the Mta1 gene is essential for Schistosoma haematobium to establish a productive infection and survival in the host. The study found that mice lacking the Mta1 gene were unable to support worm growth and egg production, highlighting the c...
Three Virginia Tech researchers, T.M. Murali, Padma Rajagopalan, and Rich Helm, are developing innovative solutions to study inter-cellular signaling in complex environments. They aim to provide a comprehensive picture of how cells communicate to maintain their phenotypes and optimize functions.
A lab animal study found that hamsters fed blueberry-enhanced rations had improved cholesterol health, with lower total plasma and VLDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests that liver genes involved in cholesterol production may be responsible for the effects.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that a natural product called DLPC stimulates LRH-1 activity, improving regulation of glucose and fat within the liver. In mice with insulin resistance, DLPC decreased fatty livers and lowered glucose levels, suggesting it may provide a treatment for prediabetes.
The introduction of direct antiviral agents (DAA) has improved virus clearance rates, particularly in patients with genotype 1, but resource scarcity raises concerns about who to treat first. A proposed plan suggests triaging therapy to the neediest patients first.
Scientists discovered an epigenetic marker system to predict the fate of progenitor cells, which can be used to guide stem-cell differentiation. This finding may lead to new approaches in regenerative medicine therapies, such as generating liver and pancreas cells for transplantation.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center identified PKC-delta as a major factor for insulin resistance in mice, correlating with obesity-related conditions. The enzyme's activity was found to be increased in both human and mouse models of insulin resistance, suggesting it as a promising target for drug development.
Researchers found that a pre-existing malaria infection restricts iron availability in the liver, preventing a second infection. This discovery has implications for managing and preventing malaria, which affects millions worldwide.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a unique fasting pathway that turns up glucose production in the liver when blood sugar levels drop, providing a novel way to treat metabolic disease. Inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs) may help regulate blood glucose levels and prevent type II diabetes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully coaxed adult human cells into an embryonic state and used them to regenerate liver tissue in mice with chronic liver damage. The induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) showed promise as a potential alternative to liver transplants for patients with serious liver diseases, offering...
Research at DDW 2011 shows that patients taking clopidogrel after polyp removal have a relatively low risk of bleeding. Teduglutide increases intestinal absorption, decreasing dependence on intravenous fluid in those with short bowel syndrome. Rifaximin reduces death rates in advanced liver cirrhosis and ascites patients.
Research at DDW 2011 highlights the need for improved screening and treatment of pediatric liver disease, as well as the benefits of smaller colonoscopies in young patients. Additionally, studies show that college athletes involved in high-intensity sports have a higher risk of functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Research at DDW 2011 presents innovative detection practices to increase liver disease detection rates and prevent premature death. Vaccination rates against hepatitis A and B in patients with chronic liver disease are low, highlighting the need for increased vaccination efforts.
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) will present exciting, cutting-edge data during the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meeting that will help change the way physicians diagnose and treat GI disorders. AGA researchers will focus on the latest research and clinical advances in gastroenterology.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that an antioxidant called MitoQ can prevent damage to the liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The study suggests that MitoQ may be a useful agent for treating liver damage caused by prolonged, habitual alcohol use.
A new study published in JAMA found that neither vitamin E nor the diabetes drug metformin successfully reduced liver enzymes in children and teens with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, a biopsy of the liver showed improvement in injury pattern with vitamin E therapy in patients with severe fatty liver disease. The study high...
A new study confirms that fish livers contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to health and have been found in high levels in certain species. The researchers highlight the nutritional properties of these organs and suggest that their use could reduce environmental pollution caused by discarding fish entrails.
A study funded by NIH found that vitamin E improved the most severe form of fatty liver disease in children, reversing NASH in at least half. The treatment showed significant reductions in liver cell death and improvements in liver enzyme levels.
A recent study found that nearly 40% of virological breakthroughs in patients receiving nucleoside analogs for chronic hepatitis B were not related to antiviral drug resistance. Non-adherence to medication was identified as a common cause of reemergence.
Research finds that high maternal viral load and HIV co-infection are risk factors for HCV transmission to child, while a genetic variation in the IL28B gene is associated with spontaneous HCV clearance. The study analyzed 145 mothers infected with HCV and found that 61% of those with a certain IL28B variant were HCV-RNA positive.
Researchers have found promising results in using liver-cell transplants to treat a genetic disorder affecting the liver and lungs. The treatment reversed fibrosis in diseased liver cells, providing a potential alternative to current expensive therapies.
Researchers assigned participants with NAFLD to eat a low-carb diet or a low-calorie diet for 14 days. After two weeks, the study found that the low-carb diet resulted in more significant reductions in liver fat. Both diets led to weight loss of approximately 10 pounds.
A three-year follow-up study of patients with chronic hepatitis C who received long-term peginterferon therapy found increased mortality rates attributed to non-liver related causes, primarily in patients with bridging fibrosis. The excess mortality was mainly linked to unrelated complications and did not emerge until three years into ...
Research discovers TBL1 protein plays critical role in fatty liver development; higher triglyceride levels associated with lower TBL1 production. This finding may enable early identification of high-risk individuals and targeted dietary interventions.
Scientists have discovered that a gene regulating neuronal cell migration also plays a crucial role in liver organogenesis. The navigation gene nav3a optimizes cytoskeletal modulation, guiding cells to form the liver. Dysregulated expression of nav3a may be involved in human liver diseases.
A new study has identified a molecular switch, TBL1, that appears to be a common feature in the development of fatty liver disease. The discovery is consistent with data from human patients and suggests an underlying explanation for the condition.
A nutrient sensing pathway has been identified as responsible for disrupting cellular lipid homeostasis in obese and insulin-resistant mice. This discovery may lead to the development of new drugs to slow or stop diabetes progression, as well as improve current treatments.
A new study found thalidomide significantly increased two-year disease-free survival rate (65%) compared to placebo (33%). However, overall survival rates were comparable between treatment groups. This finding provides new hope for difficult-to-treat liver cancer patients.
Rapid resistance to novel antiviral therapy develops in response to direct antiviral drugs for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. New HCV treatments face resistance concerns, experts advise careful prescription and monitoring to minimize rapid development. NS3-protease and NS5A inhibitors block essential enzymes for HCV replication.
Researchers present promising entry inhibitors, a new mechanism of action for treating viral hepatitis B and D infections. These drugs could provide the first new treatments in many years and have shown high effectiveness against HBV infection, reducing markers by 90%.
PegIFN-lambda demonstrates better rapid and complete virological responses than PegIFN-alpha-2a in HCV patients, with fewer side effects. The new therapy holds promise as a future standard of care for chronic HCV treatment.
A new study presents exciting data showing that quadruple therapy can achieve a 100% sustained virological response (SVR) rate in HCV patients who have failed previous treatments. This breakthrough could mark the next generation of HCV treatment and provide new hope for thousands of patients worldwide.
New data show that NAFLD prevalence in the US is expected to increase by 50% by 2030, driven by rising obesity and diabetes rates. The condition can progress to advanced liver disease, significantly impacting mortality rates.
Clinical trials confirm efficacy and safety of new protease inhibitors in combination with PegIFN-alpha and ribavirin for HCV patients who have previously failed therapy. The treatments demonstrated good response rates at key timepoints and remarkably high sustained viral response rates.
Researchers have made significant progress in developing a vaccine against viral hepatitis C, with encouraging immunogenicity and safety profiles shown in phase I trials. The vaccine has induced strong T-cell responses in both treatment-naive patients and healthy volunteers.
Two new studies provide encouraging results on liver transplant donation after cardiac death, showing positive outcomes and viable options for expanding the pool of available organs. The findings suggest that organ allocation policies should be considered on a like-for-like basis to optimize outcomes for patients.
New data reveals novel lymphocyte-hepatocyte interactions regulated by HCV, affecting CD4+ T-cell trafficking and cytokine expression. This understanding may influence anti-viral immune responses and chronic HCV replication.
A European-wide retrospective analysis found both D-penicillamine and trientine to be effective treatments for Wilson disease, providing positive survival rates in patients free from a liver transplant. The study showed that over 98% of patients did not require liver transplantation.
A new study confirms fluvastatin's antiviral activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C, improving EVR and SVR rates when used with pegylated Interferon-alpha and ribavirin. The findings suggest lipid-lowering drugs like fluvastatin may complement standard HCV treatment.
A two-year trial found that switching from entecavir to lamivudine resulted in a 24% virologic rebound rate and 12% drug-resistance rate. Patients who continued on entecavir therapy maintained undetectable HBV DNA levels.
New modeling studies support EU policy efforts to address HCV-related morbidity and mortality. With ambitious policies, HCV-related mortality could decrease by up to 12% over nine years, corresponding to a relative impact of 117% compared to current practice.
A double-blind parallel group study of 59 patients showed significant reductions in alkaline phosphatase levels with Obeticholic Acid, a novel bile acid receptor agonist. The results suggest that OCA may be an effective treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis, particularly at the 10mg dose.