Spring issue of Rhen Focus

Researchers at UNMC and VAMC collaborate in the Liver Study Unit
Research in diseases of the liver has been the focus of the Liver Study Unit at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center ever since 1972 when Michael Sorrell, M.D., professor and medical director of the Liver Study Unit and of the liver transplant program at UNMC, established the program.

Researchers attempt to reverse liver disease with a nutrient supplement
There’s nothing really distinctive about this powder. It’s odorless. It’s tasteless. It dissolves well in water or juice, and it’s inexpensive.

Study shows liver cell receptor function is altered by alcohol
Liver cirrhosis resulting from alcohol abuse is one of the 10 leading causes of death in this country. However, the mechanism by which alcohol, or ethanol, produces its toxic effect is not known.

Three clinical trials focus on quality of life before transplant
Improving the quality of life for patients who are waiting for a liver transplant is the goal of three national multi-center clinical trials.

Summary of grants awarded to researchers at UNMC

Fewer liver transplants is goal of cell line research
Finding a way to regenerate the liver and to provide alternatives to transplantation for some people with acute liver failure is the goal of research underway at UNMC.

Researchers find a specific immune response-enhancing compound
It happens often in the course of basic research.

Researchers investigate one puzzle and accidentally solve a totally different problem.

Researcher studies the molecular mechanism of alcohol liver disease
Scientists have assumed that because the liver detoxifies alcohol, the metabolism of ethanol is what causes the impairments that lead to alcohol-induced liver disease.