New research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy sheds light on the processes that lead to liver fibrosis and suggests a novel treatment approach for this common and serious condition.
University of PittsburghSep 25 2024
Led by senior author Wen Xie, M.D., Ph.D., professor and Joseph Koslow endowed chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and co-first authors Hung-Chun Tung, graduate student, and Jong-Won Kim, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, the study published today in Science Translational Medicine. In this Q&A, Xie elaborates on the study's findings and explains why new diagnostic tools and treatment options for liver fibrosis are greatly needed.Liver fibrosis is the formation of tissue scars in the liver due to chronic inflammation and injury. Over time, fibrosis can impair liver function and may lead to cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Those at risk include individuals with chronic viral hepatitis, obesity, diabetes and excessive alcohol use.
It was surprising to identify a liver function of CYP1B1, an enzyme traditionally known for its functions outside the liver. Although the concentration of CYP1B1 in the whole liver is not high, this enzyme is uniquely and abundantly present in HSCs and thus plays an important role in HSC activation and liver fibrosis.Liver fibrosis is a common, potentially deadly and costly liver disease that lacks FDA-approved drugs.
Liver Alcohol Cell Chronic Cirrhosis Collagen Diabetes Diagnostic Drugs Enzyme Hepatitis Liver Disease Medicine Microscopy Obesity Ph Pharmacy Q Research Trehalose
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