liver disease treatment

Improvement seen regarding disparities for liver transplantation

harminka — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:33:05 -0600

Following introduction of a new system in 2002 to determine the allocation of donated livers, black patients no longer are less likely to receive a liver transplant, but disparities for women remain, according to a study in the November 26 issue of JAMA.

Women at Risk for Decline in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Following Orthotopic Liver Transplant

harminka — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:02:30 -0500

Chronic liver disease patients often have low systemic vascular resistance that causes low blood pressure before liver transplant, but after receiving a new liver, they may suffer post-operative heart problems that leave the left ventricle unable to pump out an adequate amount of blood. This situation puts patients at a greater risk of organ failure and death.

Certain liver disease related to cardiovascular fitness

harminka — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:46:26 -0500

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have suboptimal levels of cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, body composition and physical fitness, according to a new study.

Attenuation of NASH by stimulation of free fatty acid metabolism

harminka — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:40:35 -0500

Medically-complicated obesity is a societal problem that needs to be solved. Liver disease, specifically non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH, is just one of the many complications of increased body weight.

Biliary cirrhosis more severe in African-American, Hispanic patients

harminka — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:53:23 -0500

Non-Caucasian patients seeking medical care for primary biliary cirrhosis have more severe liver disease compared to Caucasian patients, a new study has found. The reasons for this disparity are not clear, say the authors.

Predicting outcomes before and after liver transplants

harminka — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:43:52 -0500

The most appropriate system for organ allocation for liver transplants is a subject of continuing debate. In the U.S. the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) was introduced in 2002 as a way of prioritizing those with the highest risk of mortality and since that time waiting list mortality and waiting times have decreased with no negative impact on post-transplant survival.

Anti-obesity drug to prevent, treat obesity related liver disease

harminka — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:43:54 -0500

A new study on the effect of the anti-obesity drug rimonabant on liver function in obese rats found that it reduced markers of liver damage, decreased levels of pro-inflammatory proteins, and improved lipid profiles.

Improving today's treatments of liver disease

harminka — Mon, 21 May 2007 04:34:53 -0500

Patients with liver disease often suffer from other related illnesses, including type-2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, among others. Research presented today at Digestive Disease WeekÃ‚Â® 2007 (DDWÃ‚Â®) explores the many unknowns of liver disease by examining new liver biomarkers, understanding disease complications and assessing novel treatments for their disease-fighting potential.

Hope for people with liver and kidney damage

harminka — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 10:37:19 -0500

Thousands of people with liver and kidney disease die every year from too much ammonia in their blood, and scientists from the United States and Japan have found a possible solution. In the April 2007 issue of The FASEB Journal they report that a protein which excretes ammonia through pufferfish gills is similar to human Rh blood proteins. By targeting human Rh proteins, new treatments will help people with damaged livers and kidneys remove toxic ammonia from their bloodstream.