Could a novel liver patch help treat and prevent liver disease?

As described in research published in the Biotechnology Journal, investigators have developed a novel patch that can help liver tissue regenerate.

The patch is a combination of decellularized liver matrix, a liver growth factor, and an anticoagulant. In lab tests with liver cells, the patch helped liver cells regain function after exposure to a toxin.

In rats, patches attached to the liver and gut promoted recovery from liver fibrosis, with notable decreases in scarring and inflammation.

“The decellularized liver matrix–based hepatic patch has demonstrated the ability to restore liver function and inhibit inflammation in fibrotic livers,” said corresponding author Yung-Te Hou, PhD, of National Taiwan University. “This approach shows great potential for treating various liver-related diseases, ranging from mild conditions such as fatty liver to severe conditions like liver cirrhosis.”

Reference:

Ting-Yi Wu, Yi-Cheng Hsieh, Wei-Rong Yin, Kai-Yi Cheng, Yung-Te Hou, Fabrication of a decellularized liver matrix–based hepatic patch for the repair of CCl4-induced liver injury, Biotechnology Journal, https://doi.org/10.1002/biot.202300570.