Liver Damage May Be Reversible

Researchers at
the University of California, San Diego, School of
Medicine say liver damage caused by heavy drinking or
hepatitis could be halted or reversed, reports the
BBC.

Alcoholism and
hepatitis can lead to fibrosis in the liver, which
involves the formation of excessive scar tissue. When
scarring becomes too severe, cirrhosis results. In a
paper published in the journal PLoS Online,
researchers say they've stopped the formation of the scar
tissue in mice by blocking the protein RSK, which
is released during the healing process.

Martina Buck,
lead author on the study, told the BBC she feels the
treatment may actually repair already damaged liver tissue
as well. What's more, she added, the findings could
also eventually help patients with lung damage and
burns. (The Advocate)