Articles tagged with Liver
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers propose using intrahepatic transplantation of hepatic oval cells to treat fulminant hepatic failure. Studies show that this approach improves liver function and increases survival rates in rats.
A study found that removing a protective protein called STAT5 from liver cells leads to an overabundance of TGFbeta, a damage-inducing protein. This results in the activation of a cancer-promoting protein, STAT3, which can promote tumor growth.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that African-Americans tend to store fat in subcutaneous adipose tissues, which may protect them from insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This fundamental difference in lipid metabolism could lead to targeted therapies for populations prone to NAFLD.
Researchers found that long-term L-carnitine supplementation prevented the development of liver cancer in rats, reversing abnormal liver enzymes and histology. This study suggests carnitine may be used to prevent or slow liver cancer progression.
A new report from the University of Southampton finds that long-term daily drinking is the biggest risk factor for serious liver disease. The study suggests that regular drinking patterns can be discernible at an early age and recommends several alcohol-free days a week as a healthier pattern.
A study found nearly 100 genes that support the replication of HCV and show that blocking several of them can suppress viral replication in cultured cells. Targeting these human genes could provide an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic HCV infection.
Researchers found that the omentum increases liver size by 50% after transplantation, suggesting its role in regenerating damaged liver tissue. The study also identified oval cells as the key players in this process, which may be a promising new treatment for liver disease.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that telmisartan significantly improved insulin resistance, reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis, and showed promise as a treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In contrast, valsartan had no effect on liver histology or plasma lipids.
A 23-year-old man developed severe autoimmune hepatitis after contracting varicella zoster virus, responding dramatically to steroid treatment. The case highlights the importance of considering AIH in patients with persistent altered liver enzymes following a viral infection.
A new study in mice reveals that a gene called PGC-1b plays a key role in the development of insulin resistance caused by high fructose intake. The researchers found that blocking PGC-1b activity improved metabolic profiles and reversed fructose-induced insulin resistance.
Patients who undergo liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related liver damage are at risk of disease recurrence if antiviral treatment is withdrawn, according to a new study. Researchers found that these patients lack cellular immunity against the disease, making lifelong antiviral therapy necessary.
A new study published in Hepatology found that African-Americans are more resistant to fatty liver disease and insulin resistance, particularly when it comes to triglyceride levels. The research suggests an 'insulin resistance paradox' where African-Americans exhibit lower insulin sensitivity despite similar body fat distributions.
Researchers found that liver cancers linked to metabolic syndrome have distinct characteristics, including non-fibrotic development and better differentiation. The study suggests that the metabolic syndrome itself may cause cancer through insulin, lipid peroxidation or oxidative stress effects.
A study by ISU researcher Yeon-Kyun Shin found that statins can reduce brain function by depriving the brain of cholesterol, a vital component for efficient brain function. This affects neurotransmitter release, data-processing, and memory functions.
Research suggests iron metabolism plays a crucial role in the development of liver disease among heavy drinkers. The study found that individuals with high levels of iron overload and specific HFE mutations had a significantly higher risk of liver disease, regardless of their genetic status.
A study found significant correlations between PBC stage and AST, APRI, ALT/platelet, and AST/ALT ratios. These biomarkers show promise in reducing the need for liver biopsy, with AST/ALT exhibiting the highest sensitivity and specificity.
TIPS placement enhances renal function, decreasing systemic levels of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), while increasing arginine/ADMA ratio indicating increased NO bioavailability. The study confirms the liver's major role as ADMA-clearing organ and does not alter DDAH activity.
Researchers found that patients who lost at least 9% of body weight showed reversal of their liver damage, while those who lost 5% or more experienced improvement in insulin resistance and fat accumulation. Weight loss was the key factor in improving fatty liver disease.
Researchers developed a synthetic atherosclerosis drug, DMHCA, which targets the Liver X Receptors and reduces plaque formation without increasing fat levels. The study found significant therapeutic promise, with DMHCA significantly reducing arterial lesions in mice by 45-48%.
Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center have discovered that reduced production of LSR in the liver leads to elevated blood fat levels in obese mice. Restoring LSR production with leptin therapy reverses this effect, reducing blood fat levels and promoting fat breakdown.
Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered that hepatitis C virus causes direct damage to liver cells and leads to inflammation. This finding sheds new light on the virus and provides potential targets for therapy.
New rodent findings show that chronic drinking causes more injury to the liver than acute or binge drinking, with persistent gene-expression changes and deleterious conditioning. This research highlights the importance of daily, excessive drinking in programming the liver to become dependent on alcohol.
UT Southwestern researchers discovered that mice without the AGPAT2 enzyme accumulated excessive liver fat, leading to metabolic complications. A fat-free diet reduced liver triglycerides by approximately 50% in these mice.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that exposure to second-hand smoke and alcohol significantly raises the risk of liver disease. The combined effect led to elevated levels of liver fibrosis proteins, which can lead to cirrhosis.
Researchers found that blocking off the splenic artery helped six out of seven patients suffering from small-for-size syndrome after a partial liver transplant. This approach improved liver function tests and prevented complications in most cases.
A comprehensive hospital discharge program reduced re-hospitalizations by 30% and improved patient self-perceived preparation for discharge. New immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) vary in detecting colorectal cancer, with sensitivity rates ranging from 25% to 72%.
Overdoses of acetaminophen lead to two waves of liver cell destruction and immune system activation. Aspirin is found to downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production, providing substantial protection from acetaminophen-induced liver damage.
A Yale study suggests simple aspirin can prevent liver damage from common drug side effects, alcohol abuse, and obesity-related diseases. The study found that aspirin reduced mortality caused by an overdose of acetaminophen and blocked inflammation pathways.
A study found that sleep apnea is strongly associated with decreased glucose metabolism and pancreatic function, independent of body fat. Another study linked chronic intermittent hypoxia from sleep apnea to liver disease progression in severely obese patients.
Researchers explore alternative anatomical sites for islet transplantation, including the pancreas, to improve engraftment potential and patient safety. Bioartificial pancreas engineering and encapsulation technologies are also being developed to overcome challenges in current transplantation methods.
A study published in Hepatology found that people on low-carbohydrate diets produce more glucose from lactate or amino acids, burning liver fat for energy. This suggests that optimizing diet may help manage and treat diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Research found that patients with hepatitis C who receive livers with high levels of fatty deposits have a more frequent and earlier viral recurrence. Graft survival is inversely proportional to donor liver steatosis, particularly when grafts contain greater than 30% fat and are subject to extended cold ischemic time.
A new trial found that orlistat, a common fat absorption inhibitor, does not help patients with fatty liver disease lose weight or improve liver enzymes. However, moderate weight loss was associated with significant improvements in liver symptoms.
A new quantitative analysis method uses computerized measurements to evaluate liver biopsy samples, providing accurate assessments of fibrosis and inflammation. The Metriser technology offers a faster and more objective alternative to traditional scoring systems.