Articles tagged with Liver
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
A recent study found that using acute kidney injury (AKIN) criteria in hospitalized cirrhotic patients can predict outcomes and improve diagnosis. The AKIN criteria is more sensitive than current definitions, considering a ≥50% increase in serum creatinine within 48 hours as renal failure. This may lead to better management of health s...
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.
A new three-drug cocktail has been shown to eliminate the hepatitis C virus in patients more effectively than the current two-drug regimen, with significantly higher rates of sustained virologic response. This breakthrough treatment offers new hope for patients who have not responded to previous therapy.
Researchers estimate that lifting the ban on HIV-infected organ donation could provide transplants to 500 patients annually. The study suggests that this change would not only benefit HIV-positive patients but also reduce waiting times for non-HIV infected patients.
A new study by UCLA researchers has found that a key regulator of cholesterol and fat metabolism in the liver also plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. LXRs, master regulators of cholesterol and inflammatory gene expression, control the fibrosis-making cells of the liver.
Spanish researchers found that liver transplant recipients who quit smoking have a lower incidence of smoking-related malignancies, while active smoking increases the risk. Smoking cessation after liver transplantation reduces the incidence of malignancy, suggesting it may be a protective factor.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a hormone pathway that could lead to new ways of treating type 1 diabetes independent of insulin. Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) has insulin-like characteristics and may offer an alternative treatment for diabetes.
A study found vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, with severity linked to liver dysfunction. The research highlights the importance of monitoring vitamin D levels in all cirrhosis patients, with further studies needed to determine optimal supplementation.
Researchers have identified 15 new genetic regions associated with an increased risk of developing primary biliary cirrhosis. The study used genome data from 2,500 patients and 7,500 healthy individuals, tripling the number of known genetic regions to 22.
A research team discovered molecules that act as 'shift workers' to maintain the daily rhythm of fat metabolism in the liver. The findings suggest that disruption of this rhythm can lead to fatty liver and metabolic disorders.
Researchers discovered new genetic variants affecting nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may help doctors diagnose and treat the condition more effectively. The study found that approximately one quarter of NAFLD variation is influenced by genetics, with potential applications for clinical algorithms and novel therapeutics.
Researchers found that patients with alcohol abuse history experienced less improvement in physical quality of life and greater pain and physical limitations after transplant surgery. However, their mental health quality improved significantly between baseline and one-month follow-up.
Alice Chen's inventions aim to improve drug development and disease modeling using humanized mice with tissue-engineered human livers. Her work has the potential to lead to a safer, less expensive, and more efficient path for drug testing.
Researchers found a significant association between IL28B genotypes and interferon-based antiviral treatment outcomes, as well as graft inflammation caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The presence of G-allele serves as a marker for severe HCV-induced graft inflammation and predictor of unsuccessful treatment.
UCSF researchers have discovered a crucial hormone pathway that contributes to the development of fatty liver disease. By disrupting this pathway, they found that fat accumulation in the liver can occur even without alcohol consumption. The study's findings may lead to the development of new therapeutic drugs targeting this pathway.
Studies using DREADD technology found that stimulating AgRP neurons induced weight gain and intense food seeking behavior, while inhibiting these neurons inhibited food intake. In another study, researchers discovered a new mechanism explaining growth hormone's role in fatty liver disease, which may lead to the development of novel tre...
Research reveals that gut bacteria can exert control over metabolic functions of organs, including the liver, through changes in the microbiota. The study found that colonization with specific bacteria triggered changes in liver metabolic profiles, including glycogen and triglyceride production.
A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that individuals with fatty liver were significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those without. Fatty liver was shown to be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, regardless of insulin resistance levels.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a new donor-liver distribution system that could lead to up to 14% more transplants annually. The proposed regions aim to better account for population differences and geographic distance to increase organ availability.
A recent study found that hepatitis C patients in the US are twice as likely to be uninsured, with only a third having access to antiviral therapy. The lack of adequate health insurance coverage is a significant barrier to treatment, particularly for those with comorbidities.
The UK's failure to address its alcohol problem could result in a significant increase in liver deaths, with the country facing a projected 77,000 excess deaths over 20 years if it doesn't adopt effective policies. The authors argue that increasing alcohol quality and limiting availability of cheap products can help reduce death rates.
The University of South Florida is collaborating with Draper Laboratory to develop human liver models and long-term continuous culture systems for P. vivax malaria. This research aims to accelerate the discovery of new drugs or vaccines, targeting the dormant liver forms of the parasite.
A recent study by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital has found that the protein RIP1 plays a dual role in sepsis, promoting both cell death and survival. The study suggests that RIP1 is necessary for survival during septic injury, and its pro-survival trigger may hold key to developing new treatments for sepsis.
A new study reveals that estrogen receptors in the liver are critical for maintaining fertility, with dietary protein playing a crucial role. The researchers found that mice on calorie-restricted diets showed reduced reproductive cycles, but those given more protein restored normal function.
A new study links specific groups of gut bacteria to the development of fatty liver disease. The researchers found that certain bacterial populations correlated with increased fat in the liver during a restricted choline diet. These findings suggest that individual variations in gut bacteria may play a role in the disease, and could le...
A new method using MRI T2*-weighted imaging is proposed for assessing iron overload in beta-thalassemic patients. The results indicate that serum ferritin levels are not reliable for estimating iron stores, making MRI a more accurate and non-invasive option.
Recent research suggests that liver resection patients are at risk of developing hepatic vein thrombosis, which can lead to pulmonary embolism. The study reports two cases where thrombi formed in hepatic veins following surgery.
Scientists have discovered a new group of sensory neurons in the mouse liver that mediate blood pressure regulation and metabolism. Drinking water triggers an elevation in blood pressure in sick and elderly people, and this effect is mediated by the TRPV4 ion channel.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology investigated the seroprevalence of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies among patients with chronic viral liver disease in South Korea. The study found that most patients above 40 years old have already been exposed to HAV, highlighting the need for vaccination against HAV.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine raised safety concerns about targeting the Notch1 signaling pathway in cancer treatment. The research found that mice developed vascular tumors, massive hemorrhages, and died after chronic disruption of the Notch1 signal, highlighting the potential risks of anti-Notch therapies.
A study published in Hepatology found that HIV-infected patients with liver cancer have a higher risk of dropping off the transplantation wait list compared to HIV-negative patients. Despite this, overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates are not significantly affected following liver transplantation.
Researchers successfully create human liver tissue using tissue engineering, showing promise for liver cell transplantation. The new model uses resorbable scaffolds made from surgical sutures and can be used to overcome the organ shortage in patients with acute liver failure.
Researchers found a statistically significant decrease in peritoneal cavity fluid and clinical and biochemical improvement in many patients. The study suggests that cell transplantation might be clinically significant beyond improving laboratory parameters, potentially through paracrine effects.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that people with fatty liver disease are three times more likely to suffer a stroke than those without the condition. High levels of liver enzymes were also found in adults who had an acute stroke, suggesting a potential link between the two.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that over half of liver transplant patients develop metabolic syndrome, a condition associated with obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. This increases their risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality, but not necessarily mortality itself.
A new study found that mice sired by fathers on a low-protein diet exhibit changes in metabolic genes, passed down via the sperm, and associated with improved cholesterol metabolism. This suggests transgenerational reprogramming of metabolism, challenging traditional views on the impact of parental nutrition.
Research reveals that the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway plays a crucial role in reducing ketone production, a hallmark of aging in mice. The study found that activating mTORC1 decreases ketogenesis, and suppressing it prevents the decline in ketone levels associated with aging.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine present a new explanation for how fibrotic cells form in the human liver, upending long-held assumptions about EMT and FSP1. The study reveals endogenous stellate cells are the primary culprit in liver fibrosis, and FSP1 is an unreliable marker.
Researchers found radiofrequency ablation to be a safe and effective therapy for managing hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. The procedure resulted in high complete response rates, with 98.5% of patients achieving disease-free status.
A study by German researchers discovered a link between the PNPLA3 gene and liver cirrhosis in Caucasian alcoholics, revealing that those carrying a specific genetic variant may be at a higher risk of developing the condition. The study found that up to 50% of these high-risk individuals may progress to cirrhosis.