Americans are drinking themselves to death at a record-breaking rate, according a December 18 report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Rose A. Rudd et al reported that “30,700 Americans died from alcohol-induced causes, including alcohol poisoning and cirrhosis.” This
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Corticosteroids, alone or in combination with pentoxifylline or N-acetylcysteine (NAC), reduce short-term mortality in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, a meta-analysis shows in the October issue of Gastroenterology. However, there is no treatment to reduce medium-term mortality, the authors find. Severe alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by progressive inflammatory injury to hepatocytes and
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Chronic alcohol consumption disrupts the intestinal microbiota to reduce production of saturated long-chain fatty acids and subsequently the proportion and functions of hepatoprotective lactobacilli, Peng Chen et al report in the January issue of Gastroenterology. Dietary approaches to restore levels of saturated fatty acids in the intestine might therefore reduce ethanol-induced liver injury in patients with
Read moreTobacco use, obesity, and heavy use of alcohol are the factors most likely to increase risk for pancreatic diseases, researchers report in the October issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Vegetables and fruit, on the other hand, appear to reduce risk. Strategies to prevent acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic
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Although alcohol-related liver disease is the 8th most common cause of mortality in the US and the 2nd leading cause of mortality among all gastrointestinal diseases, there are few therapeutic options for patients or resources to support identification of new therapies. However, treatment approaches are being developed; a review in
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Dr. Kristine Novak is the science editor for Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She has worked as an editor at biomedical research journals and as a science writer for 15 years, covering advances in gastroenterology, hepatology, cancer, immunology, biotechnology, molecular genetics, and clinical trials. She has a PhD in cell biology and an interest in all areas of medical research.
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