Fibrosis News and Research

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Fibrosis is the growth of fibrous tissue.

Fat location, not BMI, drives heart ageing risk in men and women

Researchers using UK Biobank imaging data found that where fat is stored in the body, not just how much, determines cardiovascular ageing. Visceral, liver, and muscle fat accelerate ageing, while gynoid fat protects women before menopause.

25 Aug 2025

Small peptide produced by gut bacteria identified as key factor in kidney fibrosis

A molecule made by bacteria in the gut can hitch a ride to the kidneys, where it sets off a chain reaction of inflammation, scarring and fibrosis - a serious complication of diabetes and a leading cause of kidney failure - according to a new study from researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Mie University in Japan.

25 Aug 2025

CHI3L1 emerges as a powerful biomarker for liver disease diagnosis and management

The identification of Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) as a crucial biomarker in liver disease is revolutionizing how clinicians approach the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of various liver conditions.

22 Aug 2025

Genetic variants influencing vitamin D synthesis, metabolism, and transport

A Canadian review synthesizes genetic factors that influence vitamin D synthesis, metabolism, and transport, highlighting how polymorphisms affect circulating levels. It also explores how gene-environment interactions shape individual responses to supplementation and sunlight.

20 Aug 2025

Tenofovir amibufenamide shows efficacy in chronic hepatitis B patients with normal ALT

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients may exhibit liver fibrosis and other pathological changes despite normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

19 Aug 2025

Improving gene therapy safety with human kidney organoids

Ryuji Morizane, MD, PhD, of the Department of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, is the senior/corresponding author of a new paper published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, "AAV for gene therapy drives a nephrotoxic response via NFκB in kidney organoids."

19 Aug 2025

New therapies for acute kidney injury show promise

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe renal disorder affecting approximately 10%-15% of hospitalized patients and up to 50% in intensive care units (ICUs). Its pathogenesis involves complex inflammatory regulatory mechanisms. As core components of the cytokine network, interleukins (ILs) exert pleiotropic effects in AKI development, extensively participating in inflammation, fibrosis, tissue injury repair, and remote organ damage.

18 Aug 2025

Trial finds no cardiovascular benefit and higher safety risks with spironolactone in dialysis patients

A large international study has found that spironolactone, a medication for high blood pressure and heart failure, does not reduce the risk of heart-related death or hospitalizations in people with kidney failure receiving dialysis, despite earlier smaller studies suggesting benefit.

17 Aug 2025

Engineered telomerase RNA offers temporary boost to telomere length in human stem cells

Much the way the caps on the ends of a shoelace prevent it from fraying, telomeres - regions of repetitive DNA sequences and a protein structure - protect the tips of chromosomes from damage.

14 Aug 2025

New drug discovery platform aims to deliver first-in-class therapies

65LAB has awarded US$1.5 million (approx. S$1.9 million) to Professor Enrico Petretto to advance a breakthrough drug discovery platform developed at Duke-NUS Medical School. The project aims to deliver first-in-class antifibrotic therapies for lung and kidney diseases-conditions that currently have no effective treatment.

14 Aug 2025

AI-powered virtual MRI imaging enables safer and more accurate tumor detection

During magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures, contrast agents, such as the rare metal gadolinium, can pose potential health risks.

13 Aug 2025

Study investigates aging-related mechanisms in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis using AI approaches

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, leading to a gradual decline in lung function and, ultimately, respiratory failure.

13 Aug 2025

Study identifies biomarkers that could help predict and manage chronic kidney disease

Biomarkers that could help predict and manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been identified in a new study led by the University of Surrey.

12 Aug 2025

Breakthrough approaches enhance RNA delivery while minimizing inflammation

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are tiny fat bubbles that are used to deliver medicines, genes, and RNA into cells. However, in some cases LNPs can cause harmful inflammation as a result of the process of RNA delivery.

11 Aug 2025

Updated multidisciplinary European guidelines redefine MASLD diagnosis and treatment

The 2024 European clinical practice guidelines introduce a pivotal terminology shift, replacing NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) with MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and NASH with MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis).

7 Aug 2025

Researchers solve longstanding mystery of protein release in cells

It's known as biology's central dogma: All living organisms' genetic information is stored in DNA, which is transcribed into RNA, which is translated into proteins that perform nearly all essential tasks in a cell.

5 Aug 2025

Double lung transplant patient completes 32-mile Manhattan walk

Just one year after receiving a lifesaving double lung transplant, a 58-year-old Cobble Hill resident accompanied and encouraged by his care team from Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn met his personal goal of completing "The Great Saunter," a one-day, 32-mile walk tracing the perimeter of Manhattan that is organized by the nonprofit environmental group Shorewalkers.

4 Aug 2025

The vicious circle of aging and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly NAFLD) and aging are locked in a vicious circle: senescence of liver cells accelerates fat accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis, while chronic steatosis in turn hastens hepatic decline.

1 Aug 2025

Scarred liver tissue creates fertile ground for cancer development

Over 80% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – the third-leading cause of cancer deaths globally – emerges from advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. A comprehensive review in Hepatology International synthesizes decades of research to reveal how scarred liver tissue becomes a breeding ground for cancer.

31 Jul 2025

Experimental drug found to be safe and effective in treating children with MIS-C

In a small trial, Mass General Brigham researchers found a drug designed to treat Celiac disease supported a more rapid return to normal activities for patients following COVID.

30 Jul 2025