Frontpage » Tag » liver

News tagged with liver

Large-scale genetic study defines relationship between primary sclerosing cholangitis and other autoimmune diseases

For the first time, scientists show that a leading cause of liver transplant, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), is a distinct disease from inflammatory bowel disease, opening up new avenues for specific PSC treatments.

Genetics created Apr 21, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Human disease leptospirosis identified in new species, the banded mongoose, in Africa

(Medical Xpress)—The newest public health threat in Africa, scientists have found, is coming from a previously unknown source: the banded mongoose. Leptospirosis, the disease is called. And the banded mongoose ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Turning human stem cells into brain cells sheds light on neural development

Medical researchers have manipulated human stem cells into producing types of brain cells known to play important roles in neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism. The new model cell system ...

Medical research created May 02, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

With two new methods, scientists hope to improve genome-wide association studies

As scientists probe and parse the genetic bases of what makes a human a human (or one human different from another), and vigorously push for greater use of whole genome sequencing, they find themselves increasingly ...

Genetics created Apr 26, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Sunshine hormone, vitamin D, may offer hope for treating liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis results from an excessive accumulation of tough, fibrous scar tissue and occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. In industrialized countries, the main causes of liver injury leading ...

Medical research created Apr 25, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Organovo announces ability to print 3D human liver tissue

(Medical Xpress)—Organovo Holdings, Inc., a company that designs and creates functional human tissue has announced at this year's Experimental Biology Conference that it has developed a 3D printing technique ...

Medical research created Apr 24, 2013 | popularity 4.1 / 5 (8) | comments 0 | with audio podcast report

Sofosbuvir shows promise for chronic hepatitis C infection

(HealthDay)—Sofosbuvir seems to be a promising treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to two studies published online April 23 in the New England Journal of ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Apr 23, 2013 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Metastasis stem cells in the blood of breast cancer patients discovered

Individual cancer cells that break away from the original tumor and circulate through the blood stream are considered responsible for the development of metastases. These dreaded secondary tumors are the ...

Cancer created Apr 22, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

HIV no barrier to getting liver transplant, study finds

(HealthDay)—Liver transplants to treat a common type of liver cancer are a viable option for people infected with HIV, according to new research.

HIV & AIDS created 12 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Explainer: What is diabetes?

To keep your body functioning, glucose must always be present in your blood. It's as important as oxygen in the air you breathe. The brain can only function for a few minutes without either before it stops ...

Diabetes created May 13, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Elevated cadmium levels linked to disease

People with higher levels of cadmium in their urine—evidence of chronic exposure to the heavy metal found in industrial emissions and tobacco smoke—appear to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to die of liver disease than ...

Surgery created May 09, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Buying testosterone supplements online can be risky

(HealthDay)—If you're a man suffering from low energy or libido, the drug industry is eager to help. So-called "Low T"—low testosterone—has become a common catch phrase in TV commercials, and sales ...

Health created May 07, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New antiviral treatment could significantly reduce global burden of hepatitis C

(Medical Xpress)—Around 150 million people globally are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) – a major cause of liver disease and the fastest growing cause of liver transplantation and ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created May 06, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

FDA reports Samsca may cause liver damage

(HealthDay)—After reviewing data from recent large clinical trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that Samsca (tolvaptan) should not be used for longer than 30 days and should not ...

Medications created May 02, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New research shows weekend binge drinking could leave lasting liver damage

Long after a hangover, a night of bad decisions might take a bigger toll on the body than previously understood. Described in the current issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, a study at the University of Missouri has revealed a ...

Health created May 01, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Liver

The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals; it has a wide range of functions, a few of which are detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. The liver is necessary for survival; there is currently no way to compensate for the absence of liver function.

This organ plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body, including glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, hormone production, and detoxification. It lies below the diaphragm in the thoracic region of the abdomen. It produces bile, an alkaline compound which aids in digestion, via the emulsification of lipids. It also performs and regulates a wide variety of high-volume biochemical reactions requiring highly specialized tissues, including the synthesis and breakdown of small and complex molecules, many of which are necessary for normal vital functions.

Medical terms related to the liver often start in hepato- or hepatic from the Greek word for liver, hēpar (ήπαρ).

For more information about Liver, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.