Excerpt from BBC
Scientists had thought that the scarring associated with cirrhosis - known as fibrosis - was irreversible.
However, recent studies have shown that is not the case.
Now the Newcastle team, in tests on animals, have shown that Sulphasalazine can aid the recovery process.
When the liver is injured specialised cells called hepatic myofibroblasts create scar tissue, and secrete proteins which prevent it being broken down.
In healthy liver tissue the scars eventually melt away and are replaced by new normal tissue.
However, in diseased tissue this process does not happen. Instead the scar tissue proliferates, and spreads throughout the whole organ.
The Newcastle team showed that Sulphasalazine could aid recovery by blocking the production of proteins that keep the scar tissue cells alive.
They plan to carry out trials in humans, but already believe the drug has the potential to provide an alternative to a liver transplant.
The drug will initially be given to heavy drinkers who have given up alcohol, but too late for their liver to recover naturally.
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