Prevent liver cell damage: A new era of liver disease treatment
There are between 10 to 15 million patients in the U.S. with NASH, and among these patients, one-fifth to one-fourth are at risk for cirrhosis or chronic liver damage.
The major characteristic of NASH is fat in the liver, along with inflammation and damage. NASH can be severe and can lead to cirrhosis. The number of NASH cirrhosis patients is currently on the rise, and it is predicted (NAFLD & NASH) to be the number 1 cause of liver transplants by 2020. [1] Therefore, pharmaceutical companies have recently shifted their focus onto the development of cure for fatty liver and NASH.
As the cause of NASH is still unknown, to date, there are no available treatment options. Unlike hepatitis C, where the liver damage is caused by hepatitis viruses; the only thing we know about NASH is that the accumulated fat is related to liver injury, but the mechanism is unknown. . In this case, anti-viral medication will not be effective for NASH patients.
New drug in development focuses on preventing liver cell damage
New drugs for NASH are in development, they are designed to block the progression of liver cell damage, prevent chronic liver inflammation and cirrhosis, and ultimately help to improve liver function for NASH patients.
Pharmaceutical companies are hoping that this new drug can minimize liver injury and help NASH patients to reduce risk of developing chronic liver diseases. The drug is currently under clinical trial; enrolment of a final-stage trial of 2,000 people is expected to be completed next year, with interim results due in 2019. Early results show that the new drug can lower patients’ ALT level, which is a good indication that liver injury is reduced. [2]
New drugs may improve but not normalize liver function
The use of chemicals and drugs in treating liver diseases has its downsides. Patients are required to use the inhibitor in the long term in order to prevent liver injury this means that they will be consuming chemicals and toxins on a daily basis. Regardless of the intensity of side effects, long term use of any medication will no doubt negatively affect our health.
This might be the reason why the new drugs in development are unable to normalize ALT and liver function, even though liver damage may be reduced. These drugs themselves contain toxic substances which are harmful to our bodies in some way.
If you want to know more about the upcoming new drugs and how YHK can help to stop NASH, please contact our support team!
- * All research and clinical data should be used as reference purposes only, results may vary.