Articles tagged with Liver
Researchers identified a crucial protein, LXR-beta, involved in the negative side effects of glucocorticoid drugs. Targeting this protein may lead to safer drug designs. Additionally, TXNL2 is found to protect human breast cancer cells from oxidative stress, while mutations in SLC1A1 cause rare kidney disorder dicarboxylic aminoaciduria.
A new scoring system for diagnosing Wilson's disease in pediatric patients has been developed, demonstrating 93% positive and 92% negative predictive values. The test's effectiveness was tested on children with mild liver disease and asymptomatic individuals, showing no significant improvement from the penicillamine challenge test.
A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that IBD patients with hospital-acquired infections experience increased mortality and prolonged hospital stays. The majority of infections among hospitalized IBD patients are health-care associated, with severe liver disease patients being at highest risk.
Researchers discovered SRC-1, a steroid receptor coactivator, plays a crucial role in regulating the liver's glucose production. The study found that mice lacking SRC-1 have impaired glucose production, leading to hypoglycemia.
Research shows anti-microbial medications are a leading cause of drug-induced liver injury, with women and minorities disproportionately affected. Liver transplantation offers excellent survival rates, but further investigation is needed to understand the impact of alcohol use and diabetes.
Researchers found that boosting hepcidin levels may directly affect relieving anemic patients of their body's iron overload. Two studies illustrated a potential new dietary treatment for patients with hemochromatosis by increasing hepcidin levels and reducing iron absorption from the gut.
Patients with abnormal liver function who receive statin treatment show improved liver function and reduced risk of cardiovascular events. Long-term statin treatment is a safe and promising strategy for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
A new report reveals sub-standard transportation practices for donor organs led to fatal air crashes and emphasizes the need for improved safety measures. The study suggests implementing measures like quality aircraft, two-pilot crews, and aviation safety consultants to improve safety in organ procurement travel.
A recent study found that patients with more intra-abdominal fat are at higher risk of complications following major liver surgery, including longer hospital stays and increased mortality rates. However, body mass index (BMI) was not associated with these risks, highlighting the importance of using alternative measures to assess obesity.
A team of researchers identified the gene Trib1 in mice, which regulates lipid production by the liver. Overexpression of Trib1 decreased blood lipids, while lack of Trib1 increased them. This suggests that TRIB1 is responsible for associations between chromosome 8 and lipid levels.
The study reveals that specialized blood vessel cells initiate and sustain liver regeneration by producing growth factors. This finding opens the door for designing new therapies to treat damaged livers. The researchers identified specific genes, such as Id1 and Wnt2, that enable endothelial cells to regulate liver regeneration.
Research reveals alcohol's far-reaching consequences, including weakened immune systems, impaired bone growth, and increased risks of HIV transmission and poor surgical outcomes.
A new study reveals that telaprevir significantly improves sustained viral response rates for first-time hepatitis C patients to 75%, even for African-Americans and those with advanced liver fibrosis. The regimen's shorter treatment time also produces lower discontinuation rates for side effects compared to standard therapy.
New data from Phase 3 studies demonstrated telaprevir-based combination therapy achieved higher viral cure rates (75%) compared to current therapies, with significant improvements in response to treatment across various patient groups. African Americans and those with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis also showed improved SVR rates.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found that mortality rates from liver diseases are underestimated, with the condition ranking as high as fourth for certain age groups. The study analyzed data from 1979-2006 and found a significant correlation between national statistics and local mortality data.
A recent study by Henry Ford Hospital found that the race of liver donors may impact recurrent hepatitis C in patients after liver transplant. Patients receiving white cadaveric donor grafts had significantly more aggressive recurrent hepatitis C than those receiving grafts from African-American donors, regardless of recipient race. Th...
Scientists have successfully engineered miniature human livers that function like real ones in a laboratory setting. The next step is to test their function after transplantation in animal models, with the ultimate goal of providing a solution to the liver transplant shortage.
A Saint Louis University study found that curcumin eliminated the effects of leptin on activating hepatic stellate cells, which short-circuited the development of liver damage. The researchers discovered a potential therapy for treating and preventing liver fibrosis associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
A new study published in Liver Transplantation found that obese children have a higher mortality risk after primary liver transplantation, while severely thin pediatric patients face an early mortality risk within the first year. The study suggests post-metabolic syndrome may contribute to late morbidity and mortality.
Alice Chen won $15,000 for implanting human liver cells in mice to facilitate drug testing. Mark Jensen received $10,000 for a method to manufacture composite lattice pole structures. The competition honored 15 students for their innovative ideas, with some using mice to study disease and others developing new materials.
Researchers at UCSF are advancing human embryonic stem cell-based strategies to treat neurological diseases and liver failure. They will investigate novel strategies using embryonic neurons to inhibit hyperactivity in the nervous system and develop therapeutically effective liver cells from human embryonic stem cells.
Research suggests adiponectin inhibits leptin-induced migration of liver cancer cells, slowing tumor growth and improving disease-free survival. The study's findings offer a promising therapy for obese liver cancer patients by targeting the oncogenic actions of leptin.
A new index of adipose dysfunction, visceral adiposity index (VAI), is directly correlated with viral load and independently associated with steatosis and necroinflammatory activity in patients with G1 CHC. VAI score also linked to insulin resistance, fibrosis, and moderate-severe necroinflammatory activity.
New study suggests that high levels of NOS2 are a predictor of survival in patients with ER-negative breast tumors and may be a good target for therapeutic intervention. Additionally, researchers identify the H-CDR3 antibody region as a potential key to treating pemphigus by targeting it with specific therapy. However, genetic inactiva...
Research finds pentoxifylline improves NASH, reducing fat and inflammation; vitamin E also shows promise in improving liver histology independently of insulin resistance. Studies suggest new treatment options for overweight individuals with liver disease.
Two Japanese research teams have reported breakthrough studies in liver cell transplantation, with one team finding that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and another team successfully transplanting porcine hepatocytes into mice with acute liver failure, highlighting progress in overcomin...
Italian researchers found that liver transplant candidates with a strong religious connection had better post-transplant survival rates. The study also revealed that religiosity can prolong life span in individuals undergoing liver transplantation.
Researchers found that weight-based dosing of taribavirin achieves comparable efficacy to ribavirin for treating chronic hepatitis C, with lower rates of anemia. The study suggests a safer alternative for HCV treatment while maintaining efficacy.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University discovered that multipolar mitosis, a form of cell division typically associated with cancer, can produce diverse and viable cells capable of protecting the liver from injury. This process may reveal why some individuals are more susceptible to liver diseases.
Patients treated with terlipressin for gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension experienced a significant reduction in serum sodium concentration. The study suggests that monitoring serum sodium closely and avoiding high-sodium solutions may help prevent adverse events.
A new study reports a low stricture recurrence rate of postoperative biliary strictures after endoscopic stent placement, with successful retreatment options available. The study followed up on patients who underwent the treatment from 2001 to 2010, finding that most remained asymptomatic and had normal liver function tests.
Scientists have found a key protein regulating biological clocks also regulates glucose production in the liver, improving diabetic mice health. Altering this protein can open new treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Research at the University of Liverpool has led to a potential breakthrough in detecting liver damage, using paracetamol as a basis for study. The team discovered specific proteins in the blood indicate early liver cell damage and can assess the extent of damage more accurately.
A recent UCI study discovered that liver defects may be a likely cause of low levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in Alzheimer's patients. The research found that DHA is not only essential for brain health but also plays a crucial role in preventing the neurodegenerative disease.
A new study found that adherence to practice guidelines reduces bleeding in cirrhosis patients, with 82% of those without bleeding receiving their screening EGD within six months. Patients who did not bleed were more likely to have received their screening EGD within the six-month window compared to those who bled.
Researchers found that naringenin activates nuclear receptors, increasing fatty acid oxidation and inhibiting 'bad cholesterol' production. This compound mimics actions of existing drugs, offering a potential treatment for hyperlipidemia, type-2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Scientists have created diseased liver cells from human skin samples to model a range of inherited disorders. The breakthrough could lead to personalized treatments and cell-based therapy for those suffering from liver diseases.
Patients hospitalized with alcoholic liver disease have a significantly increased mortality risk compared to those with non-alcoholic liver disease. The study suggests that the key difference between the two conditions is alcohol dependence, which exacerbates social problems and disease progression.
A study using MRI and MR spectroscopy found that abdominal and liver fat are key predictors of successful weight loss in individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. After a lifestyle intervention, participants with lower baseline levels of these fats experienced greater reductions in body weight and improved insulin sensitivity.
A study found that geographic variation plays a key role in disparities in liver transplantation among racial and ethnic groups. Hispanics and Asians experience lower transplant rates compared to Caucasians, particularly at high MELD scores.
A new study found that those at highest risk to drink alcohol post-transplant can be identified, potentially preventing relapse. The length of sobriety prior to surgery is the most powerful predictor of return to alcohol use, with shorter sobriety conferring higher risk.
A Henry Ford Hospital study found that the Donor Risk Index does not significantly impact liver transplant outcomes on a small scale. Hepatitis C was shown to remain a major contributor to poor graft survival in transplant patients. The study confirms this finding despite large-scale data suggesting otherwise, highlighting the importan...
Researchers found that only a subset of pre-transplant HCV viruses can infect the new liver, with these viruses having mutations in their surface protein that evade the immune response. This discovery may lead to new ways to prevent reinfection after liver transplant.
The merlin protein controls adult liver stem cell activity and prevents the overproliferation of these cells. This can lead to the development of liver cancer in mice.
The European Association for the Study of the Liver has released clinical practice guidelines for managing ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatorenal syndrome in patients with cirrhosis. The guidelines aim to improve disease outcomes and symptoms for cirrhotic patients.
A case report describes a rare instance of vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) secondary to nevirapine use in an HIV-positive pregnant female. The patient experienced liver dysfunction, jaundice, and itching after starting triple-drug therapy with nevirapine. Liver biopsy revealed cholestatic hepatitis, leading to severe ductopenia and...
A new trend in managing benign biliary strictures is emerging with the use of a removable covered SEMS. The stent, made of nitinol wire, imparts an outward radial force on the biliary duct to establish patency and has a radio-opaque string for easy retrieval.
Researchers suggest treatments used on liver cancers beyond Milan criteria be applied to all patients with HCC listed for transplantation. Ablation and waiting can control tumors, allowing time to determine tumor biology and reducing recurrence rates.
A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial found that high doses of ursodeoxycholic acid failed to improve overall liver histology in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Only lobular inflammation showed significant improvement in certain subgroups.
Researchers at Oregon State University have found that stimulating the production of fatty acid elongase-5 enzyme in mice can cure mild diet-induced diabetes. The study suggests a new approach to diabetes therapy, with potential applications for human treatment and management of related conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A study found that perfusion CT can detect hemodynamic changes in liver tissue, indicating drug-induced hepatic damage. The research team correlated perfusion CT parameters with ALT levels and treatment cycles, revealing increased HPI and MTT in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Researchers have discovered a new route for delivering cholesterol into the feces, revising understanding of cholesterol loss. This finding suggests that an alternative pathway may deliver cholesterol directly to the intestine through the bloodstream, potentially reducing side effects associated with bile-based cholesterol delivery.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital researchers have identified molecular signatures that can classify the vast majority of patients with biliary atresia as inflamed or fibrotic. This helps determine the 'stage' of liver disease, allowing for tailored treatments and potential new therapies.
Researchers found significant correlation between shear wave velocity and histological fibrous stages in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. This technology allows for longitudinal evaluation of liver rigidity at multiple sites, potentially useful for fibrous staging and prognostic indicator.
Liver transplant patients receiving cyclosporine for immunosuppression are at higher risk of developing de novo cancer, particularly those transplanted in recent years and younger than 50. The study found a significant association between C2 monitoring and increased early de novo cancer risk.
Researchers have found that modulating the adrenal gland's production of glucocorticoid hormones can regulate the resetting of the internal body clock, providing a new potential therapy for jet lag. This discovery also has implications for those who suffer from rotating shift work and its associated health problems.
A new mouse model has revealed that a diet high in fructose and trans fats can lead to fatty liver disease with scar tissue. The study also identified potential biomarkers for early detection and suggests therapeutic interventions may reverse or protect against progressive liver damage.
A 13-year study found a higher incidence rate of serious liver disease in adults with newly diagnosed diabetes compared to non-diabetic controls. The study suggests that insulin resistance and fatty load in the liver may contribute to liver disease in people with diabetes.
Research found that blueberries reduced liver damage and inflammation in laboratory animals with hepatic fibrosis. The study suggested that consuming blueberries may be beneficial for people with liver diseases, including fibrosis.
Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is a significant complication of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation. Researchers report successful use of running sutures with intimal eversion to reduce HAT incidence. Atraumatic microsurgical techniques and careful stoma sizing also contribute to graft survival.