Active clinical trials for "Liver Diseases"

Unhealthy lifestyle represents a key element fueling the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) onset and worsening. The investigators aimed to evaluate the effects of confinement-related lifestyle changes experienced during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on NAFLD evolution. A retrospective cohort of NAFLD patients was followed two years before and two years during the pandemic. At three identified time points [baseline (January 2018: T0), intermediate (January 2020: T1), and end of study (January 2022: T2)], anthropometrical, biochemical, nutritional, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) data and non-invasive tools measurements were collected.

The study searched for answers to two questions: 1-What are the plasma betatrophin levels in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and healthy controls. 2. Is there any relationship between plasma betatropin levels and different stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 2.Is there any relationship between plasma betatropin levels and metabolic parameters in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

This is a study to investigate genetic predisposition to hepatic steatosis and the expression of gluconeogenic and lipogenic genes in livers of obese children and adolescents. Hypothesis 1: Common variants recently associated with variation in plasma TG levels identified in Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) (such as GCKR, PNPLA3) can affect accumulation of fat and subsequent development of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Gene variants act in additive or synergistic manner with progressive liver fat accumulation per additional risk allele. Hypothesis 2: With increase in hepatic fat content NASH and fibrosis will increase. Furthermore, expression of lipogenic markers (SREBP1c) will increase.

Liver cancer is a major cause of death among patients of east or southeast asian descent, as well as other population groups, notably in central and west Africa. Diagnosis of liver cancer requires a combination of several imaging techniques and biopsies. Despite this, diagnosis can remain inconclusive or difficult to establish in patients at risk for liver cancer. The purpose of this multi-center trial is to evaluate novel imaging methods developed to diagnose the most common form of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma. We propose to use novel imaging probes that have been reported to bind to liver cancers but not benign liver lesions that can be confused with liver cancer. Two such imaging probes will be evaluated. 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose, called [18F]FDG, is a radioactive sugar that is widely used for cancer imaging with a device called positron emission tomography, or PET scans. We already know that [18F]FDG cannot detect some liver cancers that are slow growing. [18F]Fluorocholine ([18F]FCH), another molecule, has been recently reported to be highly effective at detecting liver cancer. In 2010, a French researcher reported 80-90% detection rate by using [18F]FCH alone or in combination with [18F]FDG. We will compare [18F]FCH and [18F]FDG in evaluating 150 patients over a period of two years. The results will be correlated with those of biopsies and clinical follow-up. This study will provide valuable data on whether these imaging agents can successfully differentiate malignant liver lesions from benign ones. It will also provide information about whether these imaging agents can successfully assess whether the cancer has spread outside the liver. It will provide data that will allow physicians to determine the optimal imaging protocol to properly diagnose liver cancer.

vWF is stored in weibel-palade-bodies of endothelial cells as well as alpha-granula of platelets and is released upon their activation. Endothelial cell dysfunction as well as platelet activation often occur in liver disease and portal hypertension, which may lead to an increase in circulating vWF levels. Indeed, multiple studies have reported that liver disease is associated with increased circulating vWF- antigen (vWF-Ag). Furthermore, increased circulating vWF -Ag Levels have been shown to be associated with increased mortality rates in patients with chronic liver disease. Within a prospective evaluation cohort, the investigators were able to document that patients with increased vWF-Ag levels prior to liver resection suffered from an increased incidence of postoperative liver dysfunction and morbidity. Within this prospective multicenter validation study, the investigators now aim to prospectively validate that circulating vWF-Ag prior to liver resection is a valuable marker to predict postoperative clinical outcome.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disorder, affecting ~30% of people in the general population and up to 96% of obese individuals. Variations in several genes have been found to be associated with fatty liver, but these associations only explain a small percentage of the risk, and further studies are needed. In many cases NAFLD does not cause serious side effects, but in some individuals it progresses to scarring or hardening of the liver, liver failure, and cancer. The purpose of this research study is to determine if individuals who carry certain genetic variations in a gene related to bile and choline metabolism have an increased risk of fatty liver progressing to fibrosis, or scarring of the liver. This study will also use a new, non-invasive method called the FibroScan® to measure liver fat and liver stiffness. The FibroScan® device is FDA approved for use to measure liver stiffness, but not for the liver fat measurement. However, the FibroScan® instrument is considered a non-significant risk device. Since its induction in Europe and worldwide in 2003, there have been no adverse effects reported with this device.

The investigators are trying to investigate metabolism of lactate sourced from IV Hartmann's solution in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) compared with a control group(donation for liver transplantation) with normal liver function. Second purpose of this study is finding the predictive factor of changing metabolism of lactate sourced from IV Hartmann's solution in patients with HCC.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate pharmacokinetics of CKD-501 in patients with impaired hepatic function compared with normal hepatic function.

There is a significant association between autonomic dysfunction and symptoms experienced by NAFLD patients mediated by increased systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, resulting in deteriorating quality of life of affected patients; fatigue and other symptoms drive worsening autonomic dysfunction in these patients. We aim to describe the severity of autonomic dysfunction (AD) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the relationship of AD to symptoms experienced by NAFLD patients (such as fatigue, chronic pain, depression, sleep disturbance, and cognitive dysfunction), and to the quality of life of NAFLD patients. We also hope to examine the impact of systemic inflammation and insulin resistance as mediators of manifestations of AD and symptoms experienced by NAFLD patients.

As the treatments for liver disease and the availability of liver transplantation have progressed, the number of patients with end stage liver disease continues to increase. This has increased the need to risk-stratify patients with cirrhosis to better direct their treatments and provide an accurate prognosis for their outcomes. The traditional assessment of the liver patient has been limited to imaging, static measures of "liver function tests" and liver biopsy. This protocol is designed to increase the spectrum of tests in the evaluation of the patient with end stage liver disease.