Articles tagged with Liver
Researchers at EMBL and Harvard have discovered that hemochromatosis, a common inherited disease, is linked to liver issues rather than intestinal problems. The study found that the defective gene Hfe affects hepcidin production in the liver, leading to iron overload.
Researchers found hibernating mammals, like ground squirrels, have superior tolerance to extended cold storage. This could lead to new methods for preserving human organs, reducing damage from transportation and storage.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is conducting a clinical trial on a bio-artificial technology called ELAD, which uses functioning human hepatocytes to help patients with acute liver failure. The device has shown promising results in extending the lives of those awaiting a donor liver and may even allow the damaged liver...
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine successfully transdifferentiated rat stem cells into functional new tissue, including platelets, red blood cells, and heart muscle cells. This breakthrough finding may provide clues to the therapeutic potential of human adult stem cells for tissue repair.
A study analyzing Boston smallpox case records found that young patients, those unvaccinated, and those with severe disease had the lowest survival rates. In contrast, a college student study on echinacea found no effect on cold symptoms, highlighting the need for more research into its efficacy.
A new study by UT Southwestern researchers found that acetaminophen overdoses are the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US, affecting 39% of patients. The three-year study also revealed that most cases were unintentional and affected mostly women.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that HIV increases the severity of hepatitis B infections, leading to higher liver disease-related deaths among men with both conditions. The research suggests physicians may see an increase in hepatitis B-related liver disease among the 1 million people living with HIV in the US.
The University of Washington has established a $9 million center to study the underlying causes of hepatitis-induced liver disease. The center brings together experts in viral hepatitis, liver disease, and transplantation to investigate gene and protein expression in liver cells.
A groundbreaking study by Dr. Jorge Bezerra at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has identified a genetic underpinning to biliary atresia, the most common reason for liver transplant in children. The discovery points to a potential role of cytokines in driving an inflammatory response against the body's own tissues.
A study on atorvastatin found patients experienced quality of life improvements, but primary endpoints were not met. Peripheral arterial disease affects millions worldwide, causing leg pain and reduced blood supply.
Researchers have identified a genetic mutation that causes acute fatty liver of pregnancy, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. Screening newborns can detect the disease early, allowing for treatment and preventing deaths.
A retrospective analysis of 87 patients with moderate paracetamol poisoning found that acetylcysteine treatment can decrease prothrombin index values significantly. This decrease may be misinterpreted as a sign of liver failure, highlighting the need for cautious management decisions based on measurement of this value.
A new study found that a combination of peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin can offer superior efficacy without increasing common side effects, particularly in patients infected with hepatitis C genotype 1. The treatment approach showed a higher sustained response rate compared to standard therapy.
Researchers have made significant strides in artificial liver technology, with 20 patients using the albumin dialysis approach in a phase I trial. The system has shown promise in reducing blood toxins and reversing coma and shock, offering hope to those waiting for liver transplants.
Researchers found that transplant outcomes for HIV patients are similar to those without HIV, but managing anti-rejection drugs and HAART therapy poses a challenge due to potential drug interactions. Studies showed that HIV viral loads remain undetectable in most patients after transplantation.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that patients with alcoholic-liver disease are at a higher risk of developing confusion and delirium after liver transplant surgery. The study, which included 87 patients, revealed that the length of sobriety before surgery is directly correlated to the severity of these complications.
Researchers have discovered that hibernating ground squirrels can tolerate extreme cold and stress without damage, which could lead to breakthroughs in organ preservation for humans. Their intestines display reduced oxidative stress during hibernation, and their livers show improved viability when stored at low temperatures.
Pittsburgh researchers report a new clinical approach that radically reduces and eventually weans patients off all immunosuppression after small intestine transplants. Results show many patients can take minimal doses of a single anti-rejection drug, with some remaining drug-free for up to 38 years.
A recent study identified stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) as a key enzyme involved in fat storage, specifically in the liver. Leptin, a hormone produced by fat tissue, represses SCD-1 levels, leading to decreased fat accumulation and increased energy expenditure.
A team of researchers found that a deficiency in the SCD-1 enzyme can counteract leptin's effects on weight gain, increasing energy expenditure and promoting fat burning. This discovery suggests a potential novel strategy for treating obesity and fatty liver diseases.
A Wake Forest study shows that monkeys who drink heavily develop signs of liver disease, including oxidative damage and fatty liver, mirroring human conditions. The research aims to develop diagnostic procedures for humans using a similar animal model.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advises women at low risk for breast cancer to avoid taking drugs like tamoxifen or raloxifene. Women at high risk, however, should have open discussions with their doctors about the benefits and risks of these medications.
The consensus panel recommends expanding hepatitis C treatment to include patients who use injected drugs, suffer from co-morbid conditions, or are coinfected with HIV. Reliable HCV cultures and research networks are also prioritized to advance understanding of the disease and develop new treatments.
A new treatment option called TheraSphere appears safe and effective in reducing liver tumors and improving quality of life for patients with advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma. The novel treatment emits beta rays via microscopic glass beads, delivering a higher dose to the liver than standard radiotherapy.
Researchers have found a potential therapy for preventing brain swelling in patients with end-stage liver disease. Methionine sulfoximine (MSO) has been shown to prevent glutamine formation, which leads to brain swelling. In animal studies, MSO prevented brain damage and death in rats with hyperammonemia.
A new study suggests that liver transplant matching based on histocompatibility could reduce disease recurrence in patients with hepatitis C and primary biliary cirrhosis. The University of Pittsburgh study analyzed data from over 3,000 liver transplants and found that a match significantly decreases the incidence of acute and chronic ...
Researchers have found a combination therapy of lamivudine and hepatitis B immune globulin significantly reduces HBV infection recurrence after liver transplant, with one-year and three-year survival rates of 92% and 81%, respectively. This breakthrough treatment offers hope for patients with chronic HBV cirrhosis.
According to a University of Pittsburgh study, HIV patients who underwent liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus did not experience further progression of their HIV despite taking immune-suppressing anti-rejection drugs. The study found that all six surviving patients had undetectable HIV viral loads since their transplants.
Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to life-threatening lung disease due to glutathione depletion. Glutathione depletion leaves the lungs vulnerable to injury when a serious illness such as sepsis or pneumonia occurs. Effective therapies for preventing and treating chronic alcohol abuse-related lung damage are still being designed.
A green tea extract has been shown to prevent primary graft failure after transplantation of fatty livers, increasing survival rates to 75%. This study confirms the association between increased free radical formation and graft failure, suggesting a potential therapy to prevent failure of previously rejected livers.
Researchers discovered genes performing similar tasks in different organs, revealing the existence of peripheral timepieces. These findings could impact postgenomic research and circadian medicine, shedding light on why organs function at different rates.
A multi-site study led by UCSF investigators shows comparable survival rates and graft function for HIV-infected patients receiving kidney and liver transplants. The study found that nearly 90% of kidney grafts and 84% of liver grafts were functioning within a year post-transplant.
Researchers at Cardiff University discover that Cod Liver Oil's Omega-3 fatty acids can slow cartilage degradation and inflammation, offering a potential cure for osteoarthritis. The study suggests that taking Cod Liver Oil in early adulthood may prevent the onset of osteoarthritis and reduce its symptoms.
Arterial blood lactate measurement can rapidly identify patients at risk of dying from paracetamol-induced acute liver failure, potentially improving transplant selection speed and accuracy. A modified criteria incorporating early lactate measurements could further enhance this process.
A recent study found that liver transplant patients from African American and Asian backgrounds experience lower two-year and five-year survival rates compared to their white American and Hispanic counterparts. The study suggests a need for further research into the reasons behind these disparities in patient outcomes.
A Hopkins-led study found that African Americans and Asians have poorer graft rejection and survival rates after liver transplantation compared to white Americans and Hispanics. The study's lead author suggests that more research is needed to determine the causes of these disparities, with preliminary data suggesting socioeconomic fact...
Researchers explore how hormones impact glucose production in fat cells, shedding light on metabolic health. Key findings reveal complex interactions between hormone receptors and glucose metabolism pathways.
Researchers from Brown University and Seattle Biomedical Research Institute found high antibody levels against liver stage antigens (LSAs) correlate with malaria resistance. The study suggests LSAs may stimulate an immune response that protects against infection, paving the way for new malaria vaccine strategies.
Researchers have developed a new liver cancer treatment using electrolysis, which destroys tumors and surrounding tissue with minimal impact on healthy liver cells. The technique has shown promising results in an ongoing trial, with eight out of ten patients showing no evidence of residual tumor.
Researchers investigated how men and women's livers respond differently to chronic ethanol consumption. The study found that female rats' ability to activate protective genes was impaired compared to males, increasing their risk of liver damage when exposed to the same amount of alcohol.
Research suggests that leptin, a hormone involved in weight regulation, may be more closely tied to mental factors than previously thought. Studies have found that alterations in brain structure and function may play a key role in leptin-related obesity.
The study reveals that endothelial cells emit signals to encourage the growth of emerging organs, such as the liver and pancreas, even before functioning blood vessels arise. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of organ development and regeneration.
The study identifies the carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) as a key player in transforming excess glucose into fat. ChREBP binds to specific genes, activating enzymes that catalyze the transformation of excess glucose into fat, which can lead to weight gain.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that prostaglandins are required for efficient liver regeneration. The research used mouse models to show that blocking prostaglandin synthesis impaired the liver's regenerative response, highlighting a crucial role for these molecules in liver disease.
Researchers found elevated levels of endocannabinoid anandamide and CB1 receptors in cirrhotic liver samples, suggesting a novel approach for managing vasodilation and portal hypertension. Elevated levels of anandamide may also reduce blood pressure.
Carolina scientists have identified and purified hepatic stem cells, which can regenerate liver and bile duct tissue. The accomplishment marks a milestone for future liver regeneration through cellular therapy, potentially reducing the need for whole-organ transplants in patients with various liver diseases.
Researchers discovered that bone marrow-derived stem cells can generate mature liver cells in humans. This groundbreaking finding has the potential to revolutionize treatment options for liver damage and disease.
Scientists have discovered that the bone marrow is a source of mature liver cells, which could be used to develop new treatments for liver diseases. The findings suggest that healthy genes can be inserted into these stem cells to correct metabolic abnormalities.
Researchers find functional liver tissue in human patients, solving organ shortages and rejection issues. The discovery also enables the growth of artificial livers and targets gene therapy for inherited liver diseases.
Dr. Achilles A. Demetriou will present information on the bioartificial liver (BAL), an external device that cleanses blood plasma through synthetic and biologic materials, during Digestive Disease Week. The BAL has completed a Phase I clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai and is now in a large multi-center study.
The meeting featured key findings on pediatric transplantation, mandatory liver sharing benefits, new tests predicting rejection, and advancements in immunosuppression. Researchers discovered a test that can predict organ rejection days or weeks before symptoms appear, reducing valuable treatment time.
Researchers are developing a bioartificial liver that can filter blood toxins and provide temporary support for patients with severe liver failure. The device is being upgraded with freshly isolated pig liver cells and a pulsating bioreactor to improve performance, and the first human clinical trials are scheduled to begin soon.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used a modified cold virus to deliver a nitric oxide-producing gene to key liver cells in rats, reversing portal hypertension. This approach may eventually prove feasible for humans suffering from liver cirrhosis.
Researchers present study showing implanted chemotherapy pump significantly increases survival rates for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer. The pump distributes chemotherapy directly to the liver, resulting in reduced recurrence and improved outcomes.
Two case reports found that rosiglitazone, a new oral anti-diabetic drug, appeared to be associated with liver damage. In contrast, a large retrospective study on hepatitis C virus showed that infected individuals developed few liver-related illnesses, suggesting they may be at lower risk for progressive liver disease.
A statistical analysis of liver patient records helped resolve a public health policy dispute over organ allocation. The new system prioritizes the most severely ill patients, improving transplant rates and reducing waiting times.
Researchers found that 10% of HIV-infected individuals experience severe liver toxicity while taking antiretroviral drugs, with ritonavir being the worst offender. Doctors should monitor liver enzyme levels to ensure safe treatment.
Researchers found that cold temperature needed to preserve livers for transplant also kills sinusoidal endothelial cells, highly specialized liver cells. This discovery suggests a possible drug target and could lead to changes in liver transplant protocols.
A new study suggests that the US may soon experience an increase in hepatitis C-related carcinoma cases due to a time difference in the spread of the virus. The study found that the incidence of hepatitis C is similar in Japan and the US, but the incidence of related heptacellular carcinoma (HCC) is eight times higher in Japan.
Researchers found that African-American patients with chronic hepatitis C infection have a lower sustained response to antiviral therapy compared to Caucasians. Additionally, anti-HCV testing in infants may not be reliable until they are two years old, and the deletion of ALT testing has removed an important screening tool for liver di...