Research on the liver in health and disease. Covers liver-disease subtypes, the liver's role in circadian timing, targeted therapies, and cell regulation.
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.
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.
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.
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...
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) will present over 1,000 presentations on liver-related diseases, including new findings on using alcohol to repair damaged livers and the impact of race on response to anti-viral therapy in chronic Hepatitis C patients. The meeting aims to advance the science and practice...
A new study found that heavy alcohol consumption initiates free-radical mediated processes associated with heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, and other chronic diseases. Vitamin C may help quell this activity, potentially limiting organ injury.
A Brown University research team has identified primary signals that initiate liver formation in embryonic cells. Understanding these signals could lead to new treatments for diseases such as viral hepatitis and cancer by enabling tissue regeneration and reprogramming of diseased cells.
Researchers at VistaGen use ES cells to identify drugs that might harm the liver, which could lead to safer pharmaceuticals. The company's scientists have already detected toxins in mouse ES cells and plan to repeat the experiment with human cells.
Children between 2-18 years old had the best success with a five-year survival rate of 68%, followed by adults with Crohn's disease. Intestinal transplantation improves quality of life, reducing reliance on intravenous nutrition and hospitalizations.
A recent study reveals that nearly two-thirds of livers donated by children were transplanted into adults, despite an increase in pediatric donors. This has led to a shortage of organs for children, with alternative procedures like segmental grafts becoming more common.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center discovered that bone marrow-derived cells can differentiate into functional liver cells, potentially repairing or replacing damaged livers. This breakthrough challenges traditional scientific dogma and opens up new possibilities for treating liver diseases.
Bone marrow stem cells have been shown to form liver cells, suggesting a potential new approach for treating cirrhosis. Researchers at McGill University in Quebec discovered that cells from bone marrow can differentiate into hepatocytes, oval cells and bile duct cells.
A new study by UC San Francisco health policy researchers found that patient characteristics and clinical practices significantly impact hospital resource use for liver transplantation. The study suggests guidelines to standardize resource use may lower costs, while findings highlight the need to reduce variations in practice patterns.
Researchers at Penn discovered that chemoembolization doubles the survival time of adult patients with colon cancer that has spread to the liver. The procedure, which delivers chemotherapy directly to tumor cells, outperforms systemic chemotherapy in managing metastasized disease.
Researchers found that liver ischemia/reperfusion injury induces a caspase-dependent apoptosis in endothelial cells. The study identified the type of affected cell and the molecular pathway responsible for the damage, opening doors to develop therapies to prevent or reduce liver preservation injury.
A Cedars-Sinai researcher has identified a gene associated with malignancy in brain, liver, breast, colon, kidney, and reproductive organs, but not in healthy adults. The discovery could lead to the development of a method to block the gene's expression using antisense technology, potentially stopping cancer before it spreads.
A team of physicians and scientists successfully demonstrated the long-term function of transplanted human liver cells in a patient with Crigler-Najjar Syndrome Type I. The procedure reduced the patient's daily phototherapy needs from 12 hours to six hours, significantly improving her quality of life.
Researchers at UPMC report significant improvements in survival times and intercranial pressure in animals treated with the bio-artificial liver assist device. The device aims to provide temporary support to patients with acute liver failure until their liver recovers or transplantation is possible.
A study of 7,422 records found that women waited an average of 110 days to receive a liver transplant, 19 days longer than men. Minority groups also faced significantly longer wait times, with foreign nationals waiting 61 days and Asian-Americans and Hispanic-Americans waiting 138 and 107 days, respectively. The study's findings highli...
Researchers have developed a gene therapy technique that makes recipient's immune system tolerant of newly engrafted organs, eliminating the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drug therapy. The approach involves introducing a vector carrying the CTLA4Ig protein into an organ preservation solution before transplant surgery.
Researchers found that using Interferon-alpha, a cancer treatment agent, can extend the preservation time of donor livers and improve their function. This novel approach may significantly help future liver transplant patients by allowing for more time to prepare the organ.
A phase I multicenter trial uses transgenic pig livers as an ex vivo support system to remove toxins from patients' blood, extending their lives until a human donor liver is available. Researchers aim to alleviate the critical shortage of human donor organs, which claims 3,000 lives per year in the US.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that a hepatitis infection converts the liver into a 'cancer time bomb' by converting it into billions of cancer-prone cells. The virus makes even apparently healthy cells lose one of two copies of a protective tumor suppressor gene, making them vulnerable to further genetic damage.