About 1.5% to 6.5% of adults in the United States may be living with MASH
The liver helps your body use nutrients from food, remove waste, store energy, and more. Liver conditions can happen for different reasons. Some are linked to how the body uses and stores energy, and others are caused by changes in genes that can be passed down in families.
These conditions may cause swelling, scarring, or a buildup of substances that can harm the liver and other parts of the body. Our areas of interest include metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and primary hyperoaxluria (PH) where there remains a need for better treatment options and improved outcomes for people living with these conditions.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, also called MASLD, happens when too much fat builds up in the liver. MASH is a more serious form of MASLD, which can cause swelling and damage in the liver.
Over time, this damage can cause scar tissue to build up, which is called fibrosis. If there is a lot of scarring, the liver may not work as well. In serious cases, it can lead to liver failure or liver cancer.
People may have a higher chance of developing MASH if they have obesity, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high cholesterol, or other health problems linked to how the body uses and stores energy.
MASH may not cause any symptoms at first. Some people may feel very tired, weak, or have pain in the upper-right side of their belly. Because these symptoms have many causes, doctors may use blood tests, scans, or other tests to find out if someone has MASH.
Primary hyperoxaluria, also called PH, is a group of rare health conditions that can be passed down in families. It affects the liver. In people with PH, the liver makes too much of a natural substance called oxalate.
Oxalate can mix with calcium and form crystals, which may lead to kidney stones and cause kidney damage. Over time, oxalate may also build up in other parts of the body, such as bones, eyes, skin, and heart.
Kidney stones may be one of the first signs of PH. However, the signs and age when they begin can be different for each person. Doctors may look at a person's symptoms and health history, check oxalate levgels, and use a genetic test to find out if someone has PH.
Liver conditions can affect the liver, kidneys, and other parts of the body. These facts show how MASH and primary hyperoxaluria can affect a person’s health and why research is important.
About 1.5% to 6.5% of adults in the United States may be living with MASH
MASH may cause few or no symptoms at first, so it can be hard to know that someone has it
There are three main types of primary hyperoxaluria. Each type is caused by a different gene change that is passed down in families. These changes affect how the liver handles oxalate
Kidney stones may be one of the first signs of primary hyperoxaluria, but the condition can be difficult to recognize and diagnose
No liver health clinical studies are currently listed. New study opportunities may be added as they become available.