Newswise Feature Channel: Liver Disease

Type 2 Diabetes Medication Improves Liver Health in Mice Fed High Fat Diet

American Physiological Society (APS) — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 18:05:05 EST

Macrophage mix helps determine rate and fate of fatty liver disease

Sanford Burnham Prebys — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 15:05:43 EST

Formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is an inflammatory disease characterized by liver scarring or fibrosis that progressively impairs liver function. It is a major risk factor for cirrhosis and liver cancer. And because treatment options are limited, MASH is the second leading cause for liver transplants in the United States after cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis C infection. A better understanding of the pathological processes that drive MASH is critical to creating effective treatments. In a new paper published August 19, 2024 in PNAS, a team of scientists from Sanford Burnham Prebys, the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and elsewhere, describe the complex interplay between diseased liver cells and macrophages -- a type of white blood cell whose jobs include killing and removing harmful cells and pathogens and helping to spur normal healing.

Adults with chronic liver disease face more healthcare barriers than those with other diseases

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 19:05:03 EST

MD Anderson Research Highlights for August 21, 2024

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:00:44 EST

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Research Highlights showcases the latest breakthroughs in cancer care, research and prevention. These advances are made possible through seamless collaboration between MD Anderson's world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back.

How do GLP-1 weight loss drugs affect the liver?

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 10:30:10 EST

Drugs such as Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy have made news for their abilities to treat diabetes and encourage weight loss. To give a clearer understanding of the benefits and risks of GLP-1 agonists for patients with liver disease, Robert Fontana, M.D., a Michigan Medicine hepatologist, answered our questions.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Televisits, Added RSV Risks, and More in the August Issue of AJG

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:05:06 EST

The August issue of AJG includes articles on IBD, including the use of telehealth and added risks for RSV hospitalization, and the updated nomenclature for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Can meditation and stretching relieve cramping caused by cirrhosis?

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:30:59 EST

People suffering from cirrhosis may find some symptom relief from two accessible activities: stretching and meditation. A study from the University of Michigan compared the two therapies as a means to relieve nocturnal muscle cramps and found both effective.

"You Can Be Both," A Single Mom's Journey to Becoming a Renowned Telomere Scientist

University of North Carolina School of Medicine — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:05:35 EST

Taghreed Mohammed Al-Turki, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the UNC Lineberger lab of Jack Griffith, PhD, describes her long, difficult, and rewarding journey of becoming a telomere scientist as a first-time mother at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Removing Bile Acid Receptor in Gut Blocks Intestinal Inflammation

American Physiological Society (APS) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:05:14 EST

Removing a nuclear bile acid receptor that regulates glucose and lipid stability from the intestine blocked gut inflammation in mice, according to researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

New research explores the urea cycle's strong connection to fatty liver disease

Indiana University — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 08:00:32 EST

An Indiana University School of Medicine physician scientist is making strides in understanding the molecular origins of fatty liver disease, a leading cause of liver failure in the United States.

Study: Transplant Possible After Immunotherapy for Advanced Liver Cancer Patients

Cedars-Sinai — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 15:05:12 EST

Liver transplant is considered the best treatment for liver cancer, but only available for patients with early-stage disease. Now a study led by Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators has concluded that immunotherapy could make liver transplant an option for patients with later-stage cancer as well.

Rutgers Names Nationally Recognized Clinician-Scientist in Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as New Chair of Medicine

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:05:19 EST

Jeanne M. Clark, a board-certified internal medicine physician with extensive research experience and a nationally renowned expert in the epidemiology and treatment of obesity, will join Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School as the Henry Rutgers Professor and chair of the Department of Medicine.

Liver cancer growth tied to tryptophan intake

UT Southwestern Medical Center — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:05:55 EST

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that a diet free of the amino acid tryptophan can effectively halt the growth of liver cancer in mice. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, offer new insights for dietary-based cancer treatments and highlight the critical role of the tryptophan metabolite indole 3-pyruvate (I3P) in liver tumor development.

Current perspectives on mesenchymal stem cells as a potential therapeutic strategy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

World Journal of Stem Cells — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:00:23 EST

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a significant health challenge, characterized by its widespread prevalence, intricate natural progression and multifaceted pathogenesis. Although NAFLD initially presents as benign fa

Study finds targeting inflammation may not help reduce liver fibrosis in MAFLD

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:00:00 EST

Researchers at UCLA Health uncovered new information about the role inflammation plays in mitigating liver fibrosis, which is associated with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), one of the most common diseases in the world affecting up to 40 percent of U.S. adults.

Children's Research Institute at UT Southwestern identifies metabolic inflexibility that keeps damage at bay during liver regeneration

UT Southwestern Medical Center — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:05:20 EST

Liver cells have a vital metabolic inflexibility during regeneration to starve dysfunctional cells and keep damage from spreading, according to new research from Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) published in Science.

World Hepatitis Day: Promoting Awareness and Action

Newswise — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:05:48 EST

July 28 marks World Hepatitis Day, a date dedicated to raising awareness about hepatitis and promoting measures to combat this serious public health issue.

New ACG Clinical Guideline on Focal Liver Lesions and More in the July Issue of AJG

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 14:05:43 EST

The July issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology includes an updated clinical guideline on focal liver lesions, which are increasingly common findings in abdominal imaging.

Cirrhosis affects twice as many transgender adults as cisgender adults

Keck Medicine of USC — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:00:38 EST

A new study from Keck Medicine of USC published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology finds that transgender adults have double the prevalence of cirrhosis compared to cisgender adults (people whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth), suggesting a need for more supportive, preventive care.

Experts call for more clinical trials on alcohol use, liver disease

UT Southwestern Medical Center — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 14:05:39 EST

More clinical research is needed to investigate how reducing alcohol consumption in patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) may slow disease progression and improve outcomes, according to an international task force of experts from more than two dozen institutions including UT Southwestern Medical Center.