New drug may heal liver
Scientists have discovered a drug that they believe could prevent and even reverse liver damage, even in alcoholics. It could reduce the need for liver transplants, and prevent the many deaths that occur to people on waiting lists for transplants.
Until now cirrhosis of the liver, which is caused by alcohol, obesity or the hepatitis C virus was considered incurable, but UK based scientists say the new drug, sulphasalazine, which is currently used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, will begin human testing for liver treatment, next year.
If successful, the drug will also relieve the ethical dilemma of giving donated livers to people whose illness was self-inflicted.
