Scientists have just demonstrated that a treatment called “aleglitazar” had multiple beneficial effects on cirrhotic rats. About 700,000 people suffer from cirrhosis of the liver in France, 30% of whom have reached the severe stage of the disease.
The increased pressure in the veins leading to the liver, known as portal hypertension (PH), accounts for the majority of medical complications and deaths associated with cirrhosis. It is manifested by exaggeration of vision in the superficial veins of the abdomen (called collateral venous circulation), an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (called ascites) and an increase in the size of the spleen (or splenomegaly). . In addition, it is responsible for the formation of esophageal varices, the rupture of which can cause severe digestive bleeding. Researchers have discovered a promising new approach to treating cirrhosis of the liver.
As demonstrated by their study published in The American Journal of Pathology, scientists tested treatment with aleglitazar in cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension. After 21 days of medication, this treatment notably reduced the inflammation, angiogenesis *, tissue damage and fibrosis * associated with cirrhosis in animals.
Simultaneously control the many anomalies associated with syndromes
“Aleglitazar is also able to regulate the hepatic circulations of cirrhotic rats with PH syndrome,” said study author Ying-Ying Yang, before adding: “overall, our results indicate that treatment with aleglitazar may be a promising approach to cirrhosis of the liver, as it helps control simultaneously the many abnormalities associated with PH syndromes of cirrhosis of the liver “. In patients with cirrhosis, a new study has also just proven the effectiveness of long-term administration of human albumin.
Human albumin
Human albumin solutions are not a medicine but a cure. They are prepared from a mixture of blood, plasma, serum or placental tissue collected from healthy donors.
Researchers followed 431 patients with cirrhosis from April 2, 2011 to May 27, 2015. A first group received standard medical treatment, while a second group received standard medical treatment combined with administration of human albumin ( 40 g twice a week for 2 weeks, then 40 g per week). Both treatments lasted 18 months.
Results: overall survival at 18 months was significantly higher in the group having combined standard medical treatment with the administration of human albumin. These patients were 38% less likely to die than those who had only received standard medical treatment.
Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption
Cirrhosis of the liver is a disease that is little talked about, but which is common in France. About 700,000 people have cirrhosis, of which 30% have reached the severe stage of the disease. It is estimated that the number of deaths associated with it is between 10,000 and 15,000 each year. The diagnosis occurs on average at the age of 50 years.
The risk factors for cirrhosis are well identified. Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption, chronic infections with the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C, as well as the metabolic syndrome are in fact responsible for more than 90% of cases. The other cases are linked to genetic hemochromatosis or even autoimmune liver diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis.
* Formation of new blood vessels that can feed certain cancers.
* Disruption of the healing process.
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