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Curry pigment prevents alcohol-related liver disease in rats

Researchers have found that the yellow substance found in the pigment for curry prevents activation of a genetic factor leading to liver inflammation and necrosis. Despite numerous public education initiatives, alcohol abuse remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. It is estimated that in the United States as many as 10 percent of men and three percent of women may suffer from persistent problems related to the use of alcohol. Alcohol affects many organ systems of the body, but perhaps most affected are the central nervous system and the liver. Almost all ingested alcohol is metabolized in the liver and excessive alcohol use can lead to acute and chronic liver disease.

Discovery May Dramatically Reduce Liver Transplants in Children

A discovery published in the current issue of The Lancet may lead to new treatments for a deadly liver disease of infancy -- dramatically reducing the number of liver transplants in children. A team of researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital have revealed a genetic underpinning to biliary atresia, the most common reason for liver transplant in children. Biliary atresia occurs in infants and usually becomes evident two to eight weeks after birth. Its cause has been unknown. Symptoms include unexplained jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stools and weight loss. The disease destroys bile ducts in the liver, trapping bile, rapidly causing damage to liver cells and severe scarring.

Czechs to get vaccinated after flooding

Following devastating floods that submerged central Prague in water and caused 200,000 Czechs to leave their homes, the Czech government said it will be vaccinating 65,000 children against hepatitis A -- a liver disease that can spread when sewage systems are damaged and infected feces enters the drinking water. The Czech Republic's health minister has also asked the government to provide 3.5 million euros for other public health measures. The flooding has killed more than 100 people across Europe and caused billions of euros' worth of damage. It's not just the people who are hurting -- in the Czech Republic 100 animals died during the evacuation of Prague Zoo.



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