Pioneering project will help patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Newcastle: Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) will benefit from a major multi-million euro European research project aimed at developing better diagnostic tests and treatments. This will be the largest ever study of its kind to connect research from across the continent in liver disease, which is hoped will enable a greater understanding into the genetic and environmental factors linked to the development of the life-threatening illness. NAFLD is caused by a build-up of fat in the liver cells and the condition is strongly linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that 20% to 25% of Europe’s population suffer from the condition, including up to 33% of the UK’s population.

Plant Toxin Causes Liver Disease

Pennsylvania: A recent study is a classic example of how seemingly unlikely collaborators can come together to make surprising discoveries. An international team of gastroenterologists, pediatricians, natural products chemists, and veterinarians, working with zebrafish models and mouse cell cultures have discovered that a chemical found in Australian plants (including Pigweed) provides insights into the cause of a rare and debilitating disorder affecting newborns. This ailment, called biliary atresia (BA), is the most common indication for a liver transplant in children.

Exercise key to fighting fat in the liver and gut

Sydney: Overweight people should exercise rather than count kilos if they want to reduce their risk of liver disease, diabetes and cardiovascular problems according to new research from the University of Sydney. The study published in the Journal of Hepatology reveals aerobic exercise, regardless of amount or intensity, can reduce dangerous fat stores in the liver and abdominal organs without weight loss.

Branched-chain amino acids improve symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy

Cochrane: Hepatic encephalopathy is a brain dysfunction associated with liver disease. Cirrhosis, which is a condition where scar tissue (fibrosis) replaces the normal liver tissue, is the most common cause of hepatic encephalopathy. The severity of the symptoms range from minor signs to coma.

Stellate cells in the liver control regeneration and fibrosis

DKFZ. Germany: Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Medical Faculty in Mannheim at Heidelberg University are searching for new approaches to prevent liver fibrosis. They have identified a surface molecule on special liver cells called stellate cells as a potential target for interfering with this process. When the researchers turned off the receptor, this led to reduced liver fibrosis and improved regeneration of hepatic cells.

Primary biliary cirrhosis

Orphanet: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic and slowly progressive cholestatic liver disease of autoimmune etiology characterized by injury of the intrahepatic bile ducts that may eventually lead to liver failure.

Researcher defies convention to reveal new trigger for rare liver disease

Alberta University. Canada: UAlberta gastroenterologist explores viral connection to primary biliary cirrhosis.

Widespread Hepatitis C Screening – Do Benefits Outweigh Harms?

Georgetown University. US: In light of recent recommendations for widespread hepatitis C screening, researchers are calling for clinical trials to determine if that screening would result in greater benefit or harm.

Iron overload disease causes rapid growth of potentially deadly bacteria

UCLA. US: Deficiency of the hormone hepcidin makes people vulnerable to Vibrio vulnificus, but a medical form of the hormone can cure the infection.

Budd Chiari Syndrome

Budd Chiari Syndrome (BCS) is related to an obstruction of the hepatic veins that drain the liver (venous outflow tract at the hepatic veins or the inferior vena cava).  The obstruction leads to hepatic congestion, release of free radicals, oxydative injury and ischemic necrosis (death of liver tissues due to stop of blood circulation).
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