Articles tagged with Liver
A spot urine test has been developed to monitor dietary sodium compliance in patients with liver disease and ascites. The study found adequate accuracy for the spot urine test, making it a valuable tool for identifying non-compliant patients.
Research in cirrhosis patients reveals low bone formation and increased resorption leading to fragile bones. The study highlights the importance of correcting factors such as inadequate sunlight exposure, reduced physical activity, and vitamin D deficiency to improve bone health.
The study found that bilateral liver resection was safe with zero surgical mortality and a postoperative morbidity rate of 28.7%. The short- and long-term outcomes were also satisfactory, with a stone recurrence rate of 7.9% and an acute cholangitis rate of 6.5%.
Researchers found that a gut hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) activates receptors to regulate glucose levels via a gut-brain-liver neuronal axis. CCK's effects depend on activation of CCK-A receptors, which slow down glucose production in the liver.
Patients with BMI under 18.5 kg/m2 had higher retransplantation rates due to graft failure, and were more likely to die from hemorrhagic complications or cerebrovascular accidents. Patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 experienced higher death rates due to infectious complications and cancer.
Researchers identified a substance in the liver that helps process fat and glucose, which is also a component of the common food additive lecithin. Lecithin products may one day be used to control blood lipids and reduce risk for diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease
Studies reveal that hepatitis C virus carriers have a significant increase in mortality, with liver-related deaths being the leading cause. The research found that monitoring HCV load and ALT levels may be crucial for identifying high-risk individuals, particularly older carriers who are less responsive to treatment.
A study found that adjusting the Fibroscan probe position can significantly alter liver stiffness measurements, with potential implications for diagnosing advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. The researchers suggest a more anterior probe position may improve test applicability and reduce false positives.
Researchers discovered elevated populations of NK cells in the bile ducts of infants with biliary atresia, which led to tissue damage. Blocking the Nkg2d receptor and depleting NK cells prevented damage to bile duct surface tissues.
A landmark study finds that treatment with either of two standard antiviral drug therapies is safe and offers the best way for people infected with hepatitis C to prevent liver scarring, organ failure and death. The study showed that treating patients in early or less advanced stages of the disease leads to higher success rates.
BA profiling in IBD patients showed decreased levels of certain BAs, while UC patients with liver and gallbladder diseases exhibited increased primary and secondary BAs. The study also found accelerated detoxification activity in IBD patients and a significant increase in primary and secondary BAs in UC patients with extraintestinal ma...
Researchers found that prolonged HAART use can better control HBV and delay or prevent liver complications. Patients with elevated liver enzymes before treatment were at increased risk of cirrhosis, highlighting the importance of monitoring these patients.
The study found that molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) treatment is effective in patients with acute liver failure. The etiology of liver failure and the grade of encephalopathy before MARS treatment were significant prognostic factors, while coagulation factor 5 levels were also predictive for unknown etiologies.
Researchers have identified a potential tumor suppressor gene, CST5, that mediates the anticancer effects of vitamin D3 in human colon cancer cells. The study found that cystatin D protein inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells and was induced by vitamin D3, suggesting its role as a candidate tumor suppressor gene.
A study found that diets high in protein and cholesterol increase the risk of hospitalization or death due to cirrhosis or liver cancer, while those high in carbohydrates reduce the risk. The study also identified associations between dietary nutrient composition and liver disease progression.
Researchers found that patients with elevated serum creatinine, on life support, and children under 18 whose liver failure was caused by antiepileptics had poorer outcomes. A prognostic model developed by the study showed strong predictive ability for survival after transplantation.
A new study found that exercise counseling leads to significant improvements in physical activity, fitness, and liver health in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Patients who increased their physical activity had better metabolic indices, including lower liver enzymes and improved insulin resistance.
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) has renewed its publishing partnership with Elsevier for five years, with the flagship journal Journal of Hepatology being published monthly. EASL is a leading liver association in Europe, promoting research and education in hepatology.
This study investigated microproteinuria as an indicator for CNI-related nephrotoxicity in liver transplant recipients. Microproteinuria, including β2-microglobulin and α1-microglobulin, was found to be a sensitive marker for detecting CNI-related nephrotoxicity, with correlations between urinary levels and renal function reductions.
A new combination therapy of daily consensus interferon and ribavirin has been found to be effective in some hepatitis C patients who have not responded to previous treatment. The study, led by a Saint Louis University researcher, showed a success rate of above 30 percent for patients with less severe liver damage.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a system to target therapeutic genes to nerves in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), showing dramatic efficiency in gene delivery compared to nontargeted adenoviruses. In mice lacking the Hexb gene, administration of DRG-targeted helper-dependent adenoviruses carrying the Hexb gene ...
A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology found that patients with extrahepatic disease, high carcinoembriogenic antigen levels, or multiple nodules have poorer survival rates. Despite this, advances in surgical technique and complementary treatments are increasing the number of patients benefiting from curative treatment.
Research by B.L. McVicker et al. found that reactive oxygen species are involved in ethanol-mediated cell death, but their presence is not solely responsible for apoptosis. The study also revealed that sustained cellular glutathione levels play a crucial role in this process.
The study found that Ang-(1-7) levels predominate in the peripheral circulation in early stages of liver cirrhosis, contributing to reduced vascular resistance. In advanced stages, Ang 2 leads to extra-splanchnic vasoconstriction. The relationship between these peptides and hemodynamic changes was investigated.
Physician-scientists presented new research on minimizing steroid exposure for liver transplant patients with hepatitis C, hypothermic machine perfusion vs. cold storage for preserving donor livers, and the effectiveness of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in predicting colorectal liver metastases. The studies aimed to improve patient outco...
Two new studies present promising findings for hepatitis treatments, including a switch to Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) for patients with persistent viral replication. The study also explores the long-term effects of Interferon Based Therapy on Hepatic Histology in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus, showing improved histol...
Researchers presented two groundbreaking studies at DDW 2009: a text messaging system improved medication adherence in pediatric liver transplant recipients, reducing organ rejection and costs. A new non-invasive breath test accurately predicts long-term prognosis for patients with chronic liver disease.
A clinical trial has shown that losartan, a blood-pressure medicine, can shrink liver scarring and allow the organ to repair itself in some patients with early-stage liver failure. The drug works by blocking a signalling pathway that causes scar tissue to accumulate, allowing the damaged area of the liver to be repaired.
A study presented at DDW 2009 found that over one-third of US adults have liver disease, with some cases potentially attributed to environmental pollution. Researchers used the NHANES dataset to examine the association between low-level exposure to 111 common pollutants and unexplained liver disease in adults.
Research reveals a strong association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and both increased intestinal permeability and bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. The study suggests that these factors contribute to the severity of steatosis, but not to more severe liver diseases like steatohepatitis or fibrosis.
Researchers found that donor steatosis does not affect liver disease progression, but transplants from donors with higher Donor Risk Index scores negatively impact HCV-positive recipients' outcomes. The studies suggest using high-risk grafts carefully in HCV-positive patients.
A new study found that lymph nodes are not necessary for the immune system to respond to infections. Instead, the liver can serve as a surrogate structure for T-cell activation. This discovery suggests an alternative role for the liver and may explain why patients receiving a liver transplant sometimes inherit the donor's allergies.
Research suggests that lymph nodes are not necessary for marshalling T-cells to respond to skin breaches, with the liver playing a key role instead. This discovery implies a novel function for the liver and offers insights into the evolution of immune systems in mammals.
Researchers have identified a gene that controls abnormal sugar production in the liver, a major problem for people with diabetes. The study found that ARNT is decreased in both insulin-producing cells and liver cells of people with Type 2 diabetes.
Research reveals metformin, a commonly used diabetes drug, works on a basic level to treat type 2 diabetes by regulating glucose production in the liver. The study found that metformin bypasses the communication block between liver and pancreas, mimicking the action of CBP protein.
A study investigated the link between high ferritin levels and steatosis in a non-obese cohort of non-alcoholic patients, finding hyperferritinemia as a surrogate marker of advanced liver disease. The research suggests that high ferritin levels are associated with low platelet count, steatosis and clinical relevance.
Scientists have discovered that p90RSK plays a critical role in activating hepatic stellate cells, which produce excessive collagen leading to liver fibrosis. Downregulating p90RSK inhibits HSC proliferation and collagen expression, providing a new therapeutic target for treating liver fibrosis.
The Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) regulates the expression of cystathionase, an enzyme involved in hydrogen sulfide production. FXR agonists may correct for altered endogenous vasodilator generation in chronic liver diseases.
Researchers identified LXR proteins as a new target in the fight against tuberculosis, providing substantial protection against infection. Additionally, studies revealed that immune cells can destroy AAV-transduced liver cells through CTL recognition, suggesting a potential therapeutic intervention to improve gene therapy success.
Researchers found genetically engineered mice without liver fatty acid binding protein gene developed gallstones, while normal mice did not, offering clues about genetic predisposition to gallstone formation. This study may lead to better understanding of genetic susceptibility and potential intervention before serious problems arise.
A human monoclonal antibody developed by Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories (MBL) neutralizes the Hepatitis C virus and prevents infection in a pre-clinical animal model. The antibody could be used as a therapy shortly before and after transplant surgery to prevent re-infection.
Researchers found that short-term calorie restriction with a low-carbohydrate diet caused greater changes in liver fat content and metabolic function compared to a high-carbohydrate diet. Long-term calorie restriction improved skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, while cellular insulin signaling increased.
Even mild acute kidney injury is associated with reduced patient and graft survival, while the strictest definition linked to poor outcomes including cardiovascular events and end-stage renal disease.
A new non-invasive diagnostic index, the Pediatric NAFLD Fibrosis Index (PNFI), uses age, waist circumference, and triglycerides to predict liver fibrosis in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This index may help reduce the need for invasive biopsies, improving patient comfort and outcomes.
A new study shows radioembolisation to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with advanced HCC, achieving partial response rates of up to 80% and comparable survival rates to systemic therapy. The technique may offer a novel palliative therapeutic approach for those with limited options.
A study of liver transplant patients found that HIV positive individuals have similar survival rates to those who are HIV negative. However, co-infection with hepatitis C virus significantly predicts poorer outcomes in this patient group, emphasizing the need for targeted antiviral therapy.
Liver disease is the most prevalent cause of alcohol-related deaths in Portugal, accounting for 28.3% of related deaths. The study also found that alcohol-related diseases account for 1.25% of health expenditure in Portugal, totaling €189.2 million in direct costs.
A DNA-based therapeutic vaccination has shown antiviral effects in patients with chronic hepatitis C, with 67% experiencing significant reductions in viral load. The vaccine, developed using naked DNA delivered by electroporation, was found to induce immune responses and activate the host T cell response in patients.
The study identified GP130 somatic activating mutations in 65% of inflammatory hepatocellular tumours, revealing a new pathway of tumourigenesis. These mutations also enabled the refinement of molecular classification of hepatocellular tumors.
A new study reveals that type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are associated with higher mortality rates in hepatitis C patients. The research found that metabolic syndrome components, such as diabetes and high BMI, were linked to increased overall and liver-related mortality in HCV-infected patients.
A recent study published in the Addiction journal found that continued abstinence from alcohol significantly increases survival rates for patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver. The research, led by Dr Nick Sheron, indicates that drinking status is the most important factor determining long-term survival in these patients.
A new study found that transplanted liver cells from older donors work equally well in both young and old recipients, but have lower proliferation rates due to lower growth factor levels. The research suggests that injecting the growth factor IGF1 into older rats may increase hepatocyte cell proliferation.
A prospective cohort study found TACE treatments to be well-tolerated and safe for asymptomatic patients with preserved liver function, with a high HCC progression-free survival probability. The study's results support the efficacy of selective TACE in prolonging life expectancy and confirm its role as a key treatment option.
Researchers found carotenoids produced in the liver of Common Crossbills, contradicting previous assumptions about skin synthesis. The discovery highlights inter-specific variation in mechanisms of color production, shedding light on evolutionary pathways involved in color signaling.
Patients with hepatitis C and B-cell clonality in the liver are at high risk for developing malignant lymphoproliferative disease. Antiviral treatment is suggested as a strategy to prevent this outcome.
Research connects poor fitness to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), highlighting a crucial link between obesity-related illnesses. Exercise may potentially treat or prevent NAFLD by protecting against metabolic diseases.
A team of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital has found evidence of cell-to-cell communication by amino acids, leading to faster recovery of hepatocyte activity. The study reveals that proline, a building block of collagen, plays a key role in this process.
A novel injectable, OCR-002, directly reduces blood levels of ammonia, a toxic chemical building up during acute hepatic encephalopathy attacks. Clinical trials will begin in 2009 to develop the treatment for patients with advanced liver cirrhosis and acute liver failure.
Two new studies explore ways to clear hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) from patients' bodies. Researchers found that HBV superinfection can lead to clearance of HCV in chronic HCV patients, while interferon-based therapies show promise for treating chronic HBV.
A new study examines the role of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) genotypes in hepatitis C virus recurrence after liver transplantation and finds that mismatched KIR-HLA-C ligands increase the risk of fibrosis progression.