CURRENT LIVER RESEARCH
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Mice model used to elucidate role of key enzyme Caspase-2 in progression of fatty liver disease
Scientists at UCSD have used mice to simulate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in humans. NASH is the intermediary step in the progression of liver disease from NAFLD to irreversible liver damage in the form of cirrhosis, and is marked by increased fat storage and stress from inflammation and scar tissue build-up. By inducing this pathology in mice, scientists discovered that this tissue damage was associated with an increased level of an enzyme caspase-2. To confirm this initial correlation, the team of researchers proceeded to "knock-out" or remove the capacity of these mice to produce caspase-2 while simultaneously feeding the mice a high-fat diet which is known to be associated with liver disease. They then found that markers for NASH, such as lipid buildup and liver damage through inflammation and scarring, were greatly decreased. Finally, scientists confirmed that caspase-2 levels were also elevated in human liver samples from patients suffering from NASH. Researchers are now hopeful that drugs can be developed that can act as selective caspase-2 inhibitors for both the prevention and treatment of NASH in patients at risk for liver disease. - Science Daily, 9/13/18 |
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New DNA test could be an accurate and accessible screen for liver cancer
Screening modalities for liver cancer are low in both specificity and availability. Current methods are often unable to detect liver cancers that are in an early, and potentially treatable stage. Additionally, they require procedures that some patients may not have frequent access to. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are in the second stage of a clinical trial for a new method of liver cancer screening that takes advantage of DNA markers specific for liver cancers in a curable stage. Researchers hope that this preliminary success can be expanded upon in the next step of a clinical trial that will include a larger patient population. - Mayo Clinic, 6/6/18 |
Credit: Cincinnati Children's Hospital
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Alagille syndrome mice model hints at liver's capability for reprogramming and self-repair
Alagille syndrome (AS) is a rare, inherited genetic disorder associated with a number of developmental abnormalities. Chief among them are defects of the liver, which can lead to improper formation of the biliary system, or the system of ducts that connect the gallbladder and liver to store and secrete bile. Researchers at the Cincinatti Children's Hospital created a mice model that replicated aspects of AS. At birth, these mice lacked key features of a proper biliary system, but after their cells underwent spontaneous reprogramming events, the mice developed into adults with a relatively normal biliary system. The reason for this recovery is not currently known, but researchers suspect it has to do with a specific set of transcription factors (signals that regulate genetic expression) and are undertaking further research to identify the mechanism behind this process. - Science News Daily, 5/2/18 |
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Mayo Clinic study suggests liver transplant plays a role in preventing organ rejection
Besides scarcity, one of the major issues concerning organ transplantations is the fear of transplant rejection, where the patient's still intact immune system recognizes the transplanted organ as a foreign body and attempts to destroy it. Immunosuppresive drugs are routinely given post-transplant to counteract this natural defense mechanism, which in turn creates a whole host of new problems and side effects, as the immune system normally plays crucial roles in protecting the body from both foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses, as well as domestic threats such as cancer. While doctors have known for years that liver transplant recipients are better able to tolerate transplantations, and thus are able to take lower doses of immunosupressive drugs, the exact reason for this resilience was unclear. This new study by the Mayo Clinic suggests when the liver is co-transplanted with another organ it may reconstitute the host immune system in a way that renders the immune system incapable of attacking the transplanted organs but still functional in recognizing pathogens and other threats. Further research aims to better elaborate this mechanism so that it may potentially be used to reduce the incidence of transplant rejection and improve outcomes for all organ transplant patients. - Mayo Clinic, 4/18/18 |
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Israeli study links well-done red meat to liver disease risk
One more reason to never order your steak well done: Israeli researchers have found that consumption of well-done and/or processed meats increases the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. - Newsmax, 4/15/18 |
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Organ-on-a-chip technology used to spot new Hep B drug targets
Scientists from Imperial College London constructed an artificial liver to further explore organismal and cellular interactions with the Hepatitis B virus, giving us a better understanding of how the HepB virus bypasses the immune system of an infected individual. - Imperial College London, 2/14/18 |
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Cutting back on back on carbs can help treat fatty liver disease
New research from the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden provides further evidence that a low-carb diet may benefit those who suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Participants in the trial were placed on a low-carb/high protein diet and within two weeks saw substantial decreases in liver fat. - MedicalNewsToday, 2/19/18 |
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Can coffee help your liver?
Coffee can do more than just help you get through a late night or an early morning. Research suggests that daily coffee consumption might lower your odds of fibrosis (scar tissue formation), cirrhosis (a late stage of fibrosis) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Potential sources of these benefits include metabolites of caffeine that inhibit the development of scar tissue, and chemicals in coffee itself that have anticarcinogenic properties. - WebMD, November 23, 2017 |
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Page maintained by Jonika Weerasekare UCLA B.S. MIMG '17