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Biology of Liver Diseases
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Biology of Liver Diseases

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2026 | Viewed by 13110

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tadashi Namisaki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara 634-8522, Nara, Japan
Interests: liver fibrosis; diabetes mellitus; inflammation; steatosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hiroaki Takaya

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8522, Nara, Japan
Interests: gastroenterology; liver cirrhosis; acute liver failure; hepatocellular carcinoma, ADAMTS13, von Willebrand factor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research into liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma has made significant progress in recent years. However, it is still insufficient, and liver disease remains a leading cause of death. Further advances in liver disease research are needed to reduce deaths from liver disease.

For example, sarcopenia, the gut–liver axis and blood coagulation have recently been reported to be associated with the pathophysiology of liver disease. Thus, we believe that further research on liver disease will provide new insights.

In this Special Issue entitled “Biology of Liver Diseases”, we invite a wide range of papers, including basic research, clinical research, and review articles. We look forward to receiving high-quality papers from relevant researchers.

Dr. Tadashi Namisaki
Dr. Hiroaki Takaya
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viral hepatitis
  • alcoholic hepatitis
  • non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
  • autoimmune hepatitis
  • primary biliary cholangitis
  • liver cirrhosis
  • liver cancer
  • portal hypertension

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3876 KB  
Article
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Genetic Evolution of Rat Hepatitis E Virus in Small Mammals from Southwestern Yunnan, China
by Ze Yang, Pei-Yu Han, Jun-Ying Zhao, Wei Kong, Yun Long, Song Wu, Li-Dong Zong, Chen-Jie He, Yu-Hong Chen, Wan-Chun Cao, Bo Wang and Yun-Zhi Zhang
Biology 2025, 14(12), 1685; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14121685 - 26 Nov 2025
Abstract
Rat hepatitis E virus (rat HEV, Rocahepevirus genotype C1) represents a potential zoonotic threat, but its epidemiological and evolutionary characteristics in small mammals remain poorly understood, especially in regions with complex geography. Between 2022 and 2024, we collected 818 small mammals from seven [...] Read more.
Rat hepatitis E virus (rat HEV, Rocahepevirus genotype C1) represents a potential zoonotic threat, but its epidemiological and evolutionary characteristics in small mammals remain poorly understood, especially in regions with complex geography. Between 2022 and 2024, we collected 818 small mammals from seven border counties and cities in Yunnan, China. Rat HEV RNA was detected by RT-PCR, risk factors were assessed using binary logistic regression, and full genomes were sequenced for phylogenetic and molecular clock analysis. The overall prevalence of rat HEV was 6.23% (51/818), with significantly higher odds observed in Gengma and Heqing counties, in oriental house rat (Rattus tanezumi) and Chevrieri’s field mouse (Apodemus chevrieri), in residential habitats, and at mid-high altitudes (all p < 0.001). The 51 partial genomic sequences (RdRp gene) obtained in this study clustered within Rocahepevirus, forming two distinct subclades associated with host species. The two complete genomes, GS188 and GS197 from Rattus tanezumi, were classified as subtypes C1b and C1d, respectively. Bayesian analysis estimated that GS197 diverged from a closely related Rattus tanezumi-derived strain around 1998, while GS188 diverged from a lineage containing shrew and human strains around 1931. These findings reveal a relatively high prevalence and substantial genetic diversity of Rochepevirus in southwestern Yunnan, suggesting human-influenced transmission dynamics and a potential for cross-species infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology of Liver Diseases)
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14 pages, 5945 KB  
Article
A New Non-Obese Steatohepatitis Mouse Model with Cardiac Dysfunction Induced by Addition of Ethanol to a High-Fat/High-Cholesterol Diet
by Seiji Shiraishi, Jinyao Liu, Yuki Saito, Yumiko Oba, Yuiko Nishihara and Satomichi Yoshimura
Biology 2024, 13(2), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13020091 - 1 Feb 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2774
Abstract
Non-obese metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has been associated with cardiovascular-related mortality, leading to a higher mortality rate compared to the general population. However, few reports have examined cardiovascular events in non-obese MASLD mouse models. In this study we created a mouse [...] Read more.
Non-obese metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has been associated with cardiovascular-related mortality, leading to a higher mortality rate compared to the general population. However, few reports have examined cardiovascular events in non-obese MASLD mouse models. In this study we created a mouse model to mimic this condition. In this study involving seven-week-old C57BL/6J male mice, two dietary conditions were tested: a standard high-fat/high-cholesterol diet (STHD-01) and a combined diet of STHD-01 and ethanol. Over periods of 6 and 12 weeks, we analyzed the effects on liver and cardiac tissues using various staining techniques and PCR. Echocardiography and blood tests were also performed to assess cardiac function and liver damage. The results showed that mice on the ethanol-supplemented STHD-01 diet developed signs of steatohepatitis and cardiac dysfunction, along with increased sympathetic activity, as early as 6 weeks. At 12 weeks, more pronounced exacerbations accompanied with cardiac dilation, advanced liver fibrosis, and activated myocardial fibrosis with sympathetic activation were observed. This mouse model effectively replicated non-obese MASLD and cardiac dysfunction over a 12-week period using a combined diet of STHD-01 and ethanol. This dietary approach highlighted that both liver inflammation and fibrosis, as well as cardiac dysfunction, could be significantly worsened due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Our results indicate that alcohol, even when completely metabolized on the day of drinking, exacerbates the progression of non-obese MASLD and cardiac dysfunction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology of Liver Diseases)
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Review

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20 pages, 3697 KB  
Review
Beneficial Effects of Tyrosol and Oleocanthal from Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Liver Health: Insights into Their Mechanisms of Action
by Daniela Gabbia
Biology 2024, 13(10), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100760 - 25 Sep 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5246
Abstract
The Mediterranean diet and consumption of EVOO are associated with multiple beneficial effects for human health, e.g. reduction in cardiovascular risk and mortality, improvement in the lipid profile, and the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. In EVOO, more [...] Read more.
The Mediterranean diet and consumption of EVOO are associated with multiple beneficial effects for human health, e.g. reduction in cardiovascular risk and mortality, improvement in the lipid profile, and the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. In EVOO, more than 30 different phenolic-derived compounds have been identified, representing one of the most promising bioactive classes in olive oil. This review explores the hepatoprotective properties of two of these compounds, tyrosol and oleocanthal, focusing on their mechanisms of action. Recent studies have shown that these compounds, which share a similar chemical structure with a hydroxyl group attached to an aromatic hydrocarbon ring, can potentially mitigate chronic liver diseases, such as MASLD and liver fibrosis, as well as their progression to liver cancer. Consequently, they deserve attention for future pharmacological drug development. In vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that these compounds exert these effects through the regulation of cellular pathways involved in antioxidant response, lipid metabolism, transcription factor activity, and NF-κB signaling. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective properties of tyrosol and oleocanthal may provide valuable information for the development of therapeutic agents based on their chemical structures capable of targeting chronic liver diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology of Liver Diseases)
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23 pages, 1005 KB  
Review
The Constellation of Risk Factors and Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Cholangiocarcinoma: Integrating the Endocrine Panel Amid Tumour-Related Biology (A Narrative Review)
by Mihai-Lucian Ciobica, Bianca-Andreea Sandulescu, Liana-Maria Chicea, Mihaela Iordache, Maria-Laura Groseanu, Mara Carsote, Claudiu Nistor and Ana-Maria Radu
Biology 2024, 13(9), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090662 - 26 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3954
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs), a heterogeneous group of challenging malignant tumours which originate from the biliary epithelium, are associated with an alarming increasing incidence during recent decades that varies between different regions of the globe. Thus, awareness represents the key operating factor. Our purpose was [...] Read more.
Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs), a heterogeneous group of challenging malignant tumours which originate from the biliary epithelium, are associated with an alarming increasing incidence during recent decades that varies between different regions of the globe. Thus, awareness represents the key operating factor. Our purpose was to overview the field of CCAs following a double perspective: the constellation of the risk factors, and the presence of the paraneoplastic syndromes, emphasizing the endocrine features amid the entire multidisciplinary panel. This is a narrative review. A PubMed-based search of English-language original articles offered the basis of this comprehensive approach. Multiple risk factors underlying different levels of statistical evidence have been listed such as chronic biliary diseases and liver conditions, inflammatory bowel disease, parasitic infections (e.g., Opisthorchis viverrini, Clonorchis sinensis), lifestyle influence (e.g., alcohol, smoking), environmental exposure (e.g., thorotrast, asbestos), and certain genetic and epigenetic interplays. With regard to the endocrine panel, a heterogeneous spectrum should be taken into consideration: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and potential connections with vitamin D status, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor, or the galanin system, respectively, with exposure to sex hormone therapy. Amid the numerous dermatologic, hematologic, renal, and neurologic paraneoplastic manifestations in CCAs, the endocrine panel is less described. Humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy stands as the most frequent humoral paraneoplastic syndrome in CCAs, despite being exceptional when compared to other paraneoplastic (non-endocrine) manifestations and to its reported frequency in other (non-CCAs) cancers (it accompanies 20–30% of all cancers). It represents a poor prognosis marker in CCA; it may be episodic once the tumour relapses. In addition to the therapy that targets the originating malignancy, hypercalcaemia requires the administration of bisphosphonates (e.g., intravenous zoledronic acid) or denosumab. Early detection firstly helps the general wellbeing of a patient due to a prompt medical control of high serum calcium and it also provides a fine biomarker of disease status in selected cases that harbour the capacity of PTHrP secretion. The exact molecular biology and genetic configuration of CCAs that display such endocrine traits is still an open matter, but humoral hypercalcaemia adds to the overall disease burden. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology of Liver Diseases)
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