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    Liver cirrhosis 'may be reversible'

    Posted on 27/12/2007

    Scientists say they may have found a way to reverse liver cirrhosis, a condition that is currently classed as incurable.

    Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, tested mice that had been forced to develop fibrosis (excessive scarring) of the liver. The researchers claim that when the production of a protein called RSK was inhibited in the mice, their liver cells were able to resist further damage and even repair some of the damage already inflicted.

    It is thought that the results may lead to treatments for a number of health conditions that involve fibrosis, including liver cirrhosis, burns and lung diseases.

    The study, which is published by PLoS Online, builds on earlier research by the same team. 'Six years ago, we showed a way to prevent or stop the excessive scarring in animal models,' said researcher Dr Martina Buck. 'Our latest finding proves that we can actually reverse the damage.'

    Quoted by BBC News, a spokesperson for the British Liver Trust said: 'This is clearly in very early stages and the real test will be when a treatment is developed to safely block progression of damage in the livers of patients with liver disease and reverse their fibrosis.

    'Irrespective of whether cirrhosis is fully reversible there is clearly a lot of benefit to be derived from reducing the amount of liver fibrosis as this allows the liver cells to resume normal function.'



    Category: Healthcare


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