New medicine helps restore cirrhosis patients

Every year in the world, nearly 40 million people die from cirrhosis. In addition, if survived, patients with cirrhosis still cannot recover, because the normal structure of the liver has been altered.

>>>Early signs of cirrhosis

However, Russian scientists in Siberia have developed a drug that helps patients recover the damaged organ and prevent changes.

The co-inventor, Gleb Zuzkov, scientific secretary of the Institute of Medicine at the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said: 'This product promotes the activity of stem cells in the liver. In addition, this method also increases the activity of stem cells in the bone marrow, helping them to enter the peripheral blood and transferring to the damaged organ. "

There is no similar drug on the international pharmaceutical market. Although scientists have long focused on solving the problem of cirrhosis.

According to the World Health Organization data, in the past 50 years, the number of people with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis has increased 8 times. Currently, hepatit and cirrhosis are the fourth most common causes of death, exceeding tuberculosis and ischemic heart disease.

Previously, in 2010, British scientists succeeded in cultivating artificial liver. The tissue of the person raised from the stem cell removed from the umbilical cord just a few minutes after it was born.

In their opinion, artificial 'liver' can be used to replace broken liver. But to study the method of creating a complete liver would probably take several decades. So are studies in the field of stem cells and genes.

Mr. Gleg Zuzkov analyzed: 'There are many biological problems because of the risk of artificial liver complications and tumors. In terms of gene therapy, the new studies are at an experimental stage. And Siberia scientists suggest a practical method of therapy that affects cells. The advantage of new drugs is that this is a method with a realistic outlook. "

Currently new drugs of Siberian scientists are undergoing pre-clinical testing. After 5 years, a new drug, called a 'lifesaver', will be given to local pharmacies.