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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.