Liver Disease News and Research

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The liver is one of the largest solid organs of the body. It is located in the upper right part of the abdomen. Most of the organ lies under cover of the rib cage.

Alcohol use may induce changes to cholesterol-regulating gene

In an analysis of the epigenomes of people and mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and the National Institutes of Health report that drinking alcohol may induce changes to a cholesterol-regulating gene.

20 Sep 2017

UofL gastroenterologist receives NIEHS award to explore effects of environmental chemicals on the liver

UofL gastroenterologist Matthew Cave, M.D., believes that chemicals we breathe, consume or come in contact with in the environment may be contributing to liver disease in as many as one in four people. He has been awarded $4.01 million over eight years by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health, to explore the long-term effects of environmental chemicals on the liver.

15 Sep 2017

EHR-based prompt in primary care increases HCV screening rates among baby boomers

In a recent study, screening rates for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among baby boomers increased fivefold in the year following implementation of an electronic health record (EHR)-based prompt for primary care physicians.

14 Sep 2017

Intense sanitization effort as Hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego claims 16 lives

An outbreak of hepatitis A in San Diego is being investigated by the Public Health Services Division, in the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. Most of the people affected with hepatitis A are the illicit drug users and homeless individuals. The spread from one person to another through fecal contamination.

14 Sep 2017

Researchers discover major mechanism in development of liver cancer

Liver cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death and represents the fastest rising cancer worldwide. In most cases, the tumor develops in patients with chronic liver disease.

11 Sep 2017

Drugs used for treatment of high cholesterol may benefit patients with cirrhosis

Statins used for the treatment of high cholesterol may have other beneficial effects, but there has been reluctance to prescribe them to patients with liver disease because of concerns that they may cause abnormal liver enzyme levels in the blood.

11 Sep 2017

Direct-acting antiviral therapy found to be safe, effective in patients with CKD and HCV infection

A new study indicates that direct-acting antiviral therapy is safe and effective in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

8 Sep 2017

Alcohol related cancer risks underplayed by industry says new research

A report out of the UK reveals that just like the tobacco industry tried for decades to suppress the harmful effects of tobacco and cigarette smoking, the alcohol industry too is trying to underplay the actual cancer risks associated with alcohol intake. The new research is published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review.

7 Sep 2017

Researchers find signaling pathway in cells that plays key role in development of fatty liver disease

Morbid obesity affects the liver: Almost one-third of all adults suffer from chronic fatty liver disease, which can lead to infections and even trigger cancer. Researchers at the University Children's Hospital Zurich and the University of Zurich have now found a signaling pathway in cells that play an important role in the development of fatty liver disease.

7 Sep 2017

Effects of obesity on U.S. population health may be more pervasive than previously understood

Considering weight across the life course, the prevalence of obesity among adults in the US rises considerably, suggesting that the effects on population health may be even more pervasive than previously understood, according to a new study led by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher.

6 Sep 2017

Collaborative care model can expand access to treatment for opioid or alcohol addiction

Combining substance abuse treatment with regular medical care can successfully treat people with opioid or alcohol addiction, providing an option that might expand treatment and lower the cost of caring for people caught up in the nation's opioid epidemic, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

6 Sep 2017

Unfolded protein response could be cause of metabolic disorders, say researchers

The cell's response to unfolded or misfolded proteins could be a cause, rather than a consequence, of metabolic disorders, report researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina in an article published online ahead of print on September 4, 2017 by Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.

4 Sep 2017

Pfizer receives FDA approval for new therapy to treat adults and children with AML

Pfizer Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved MYLOTARG (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) for adults with newly diagnosed CD33-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and adults and children 2 years and older with relapsed or refractory CD33-positive AML.

1 Sep 2017

Coffee consumption connected to a longer life

At the European Society of Cardiology, ESC Congress 1 last weekend, Spanish researchers working as part of the long term project Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project, presented their new study that suggests coffee intake might be tied to a longer life. The study included around 20,000 Spanish participants.

28 Aug 2017

SLU-led project receives NIH funding for clinical trial on potential treatment for MDR-TB

Saint Louis University is leading a multi-national clinical trial of what could become a regimen for drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) that does not require injectable medications. The project is funded by a $6.4 million task order from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

26 Aug 2017

Enhanced levels of NPs in adipose tissue protect against obesity and insulin resistance

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in Lake Nona, Florida have shown that enhanced natriuretic peptide (NP) signaling in adipose tissue protects against obesity and insulin resistance.

26 Aug 2017

Increased enzyme production by the liver causes fatty liver, obesity and insulin resistance

In mice that are given a high-fat diet, an increased production of the enzyme DPP4 by the liver promotes an increase in body fat, the development of fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.

24 Aug 2017

Researchers uncover how mutations in single gene lead to rare kidney and liver disease

In a joint international study, researchers from Osaka University have partnered with research groups from the United States and Spain to uncover how mutations in a single gene called PKHD1 lead to symptoms associated with a rare kidney and liver disease, ARPKD (autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease).

24 Aug 2017

Blood cleaning device can also effectively provide a bridge to liver transplantation

Severe acute liver failure (ALF), a rare but life-threatening illness, is associated with high death rates if patients don't receive timely treatment or a liver transplant.

23 Aug 2017

Researchers develop quick and easy-to-use test for detecting rare immunodeficiency

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a test to quickly and reliably diagnose a rare and severe immune defect, hepatic veno-occlusive disease with immunodeficiency. They reported on their findings in the Journal of Clinical Immunology.

22 Aug 2017