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.

Penn studies provide new understanding of lung cancer progression and prevention

Treating the brain with a preventative course of radiation may help Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) patients - whose tumors often spread to their brain -- live longer, according to a new study from researchers in the Abramson Cancer Center and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

16 Mar 2017

Research shows pNaKtide can attenuate development of NAFLD and atherosclerosis

Building on their recent research focusing on a peptide, pNaKtide, designed to block the oxidant amplifying function of the cellular sodium-potassium pump, researchers at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine have successfully demonstrated that pNaKtide, can attenuate the development of experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherosclerosis.

15 Mar 2017

SLU study findings suggest new method to suppress LDL cholesterol

In a paper published in Biochemical Pharmacology, Saint Louis University researchers examined the way a nuclear receptor called REV-ERB is involved in regulating cholesterol metabolism.

6 Mar 2017

Study shows how ‘secondhand sugar’ can pass from mother to infant through breast milk

Add breast milk to the list of foods and beverages that contain fructose, a sweetener linked to health issues ranging from obesity to diabetes.

2 Mar 2017

High level use of opioids may affect survival of liver transplant recipients, study finds

An analysis of nearly 30,000 patients undergoing liver transplantation in the United States between 2008 and 2014 found elevated death and organ loss rates in the first 5 years after transplantation among recipients with the highest use of opioid pain medications while on the waiting list.

2 Mar 2017

AGA creates Obesity Practice Guide for effective weight management in obese patients

Patients with obesity need a multidisciplinary approach to achieve a healthy weight, and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) believes that gastroenterologists are in a unique position to lead the care team.

28 Feb 2017

Researchers discover rare deafness-dystonia syndrome in a family in Pakistan

A group of researchers from Pakistan, Europe and Singapore have identified and characterised a previously undiscovered rare deafness-dystonia syndrome in a family living in a remote region of Pakistan.

28 Feb 2017

Scientists discover potent trigger of inflammatory disease

Institute scientists have revealed a potent inflammatory molecule released by dying cells triggers inflammation during necroptosis, a recently described form of cell death linked to inflammatory disease.

22 Feb 2017

SLU scientist examines potential biomarkers for pain linked to debilitating health conditions

With new funding from The Mayday Fund, a Saint Louis University researcher will leverage her discovery of a pain pathway to determine if either of two key molecules can be used as biomarkers for pain associated with four debilitating health conditions: chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis and vulvodynia.

16 Feb 2017

Single high-fat meal can change energy metabolism of the liver, study finds

The global proliferation of overweight and obese people and people with type 2 diabetes is often associated with the consumption of saturated fats.

16 Feb 2017

Signals from fat cells may aid in diagnostics for metabolic conditions

Fat cells are not simply big blobs of lipid quietly standingby in the body--instead, they send out hormones and other signaling proteins that affect many types of tissues.

15 Feb 2017

Dietary fructose consumption may increase risk for NASH in children and adolescents

Recent research suggests that dietary fructose intake may increase serum uric acid concentrations and that both uric acid concentration and fructose consumption may be increased in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

14 Feb 2017

Sickest children can successfully undergo liver transplantation with advances in critical care

Advancements in critical care make it possible for even the sickest children to successfully undergo liver transplantation.

7 Feb 2017

Frequent soccer ball heading could be common cause of concussion symptoms, study suggests

Frequent soccer ball heading is a common and under recognized cause of concussion symptoms, according to a study of amateur players led by Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers.

2 Feb 2017

SLU scientists receive $416,000 NIH grant to advance research on hepatitis B cure

With a $416,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), SLU scientists will continue work to cure hepatitis B, building on significant findings published in two recent papers.

1 Feb 2017

Scientists generate new index to accurately predict presence of fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has become a global epidemic. There is not only a great interest worldwide to understand the causes and consequences of fatty liver disease, but also to diagnose fatty liver disease at an early stage.

23 Jan 2017

New study shows outcomes after obesity surgery in teenagers

Obesity surgery has proven to be just as effective for teenagers as for adults. Five years on, those who underwent the procedure as teenagers weighed, on average, 28 percent less than prior to the surgery.

23 Jan 2017

Study examines differences in liver damage between binge drinkers and heavy drinkers

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) occurs on a spectrum of severity. The majority of people who drink excessively develop a fatty liver, which though often symptom free, can progress to a state of inflammation, fibrosis, and cell death that can be fatal.

20 Jan 2017

MGH-developed CTC-iChip with digital PCR assay improves detection of early-stage liver cancer

Use of an advanced form of the commonly used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to analyze circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may greatly increase the ability to diagnose early-stage cancer, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.