Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy, with increasing global incidence. Morbidity and mortality associated with HCC remains high, and HCC is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Early detection and treatment of HCC can increase five-year survival by over 60%. Detection of HCC remains challenging, however, as HCC arises from a variety of environmental, genetic, and viral etiologies, and it demonstrates a complex pathophysiology and displays a heterogeneous morphology. Current diagnostic methods rely on abdominal ultrasound with or without concurrent AFP biomarker testing for high-risk individuals. This review provides an overview of HCC diagnostic modalities and highlights the promising nature of translational developments in biomarkers, next generation sequencing (NGS), artificial intelligence, molecular imaging, and liquid biopsy for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of HCC. Furthermore, we identify areas for improvement that must be addressed before the widespread usage and implementation of these methods.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a growing global phenomenon, and its damaging effects in terms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk are becoming more apparent. NAFLD is estimated to affect around one quarter of the world population and is often comorbid with other metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and metabolic syndrome. In this review, we examine the current evidence describing the many ways that NAFLD itself increases CVD risk. We also discuss the emerging and complex biochemical relationship between NAFLD and its common comorbid conditions, and how they coalesce to increase CVD risk. With NAFLD’s rising prevalence and deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, a complete understanding of the disease must be undertaken, as well as effective strategies to prevent and treat its common comorbid conditions.

Herbal and dietary supplement (HDS) use has grown exponentially in the United States. Unfortunately, the incidence of HDS-related liver injury has proportionally increased. Despite the potential for certain HDSs to cause clinically significant liver injury, they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Recent efforts have been made to regulate HDSs but are far removed from the scrutiny of prescription medications. Scant literature exists on HDSs and their risks of causing liver injury. In this comprehensive review, we examine trends of HDS use in the United States and the pathophysiologic mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) of certain HDSs. Finally, we review usage rates; benefits, if any; purported pathophysiology of DILI; and propensity for progression to fulminant hepatic failure of nine HDSs linked to clinically significant DILI.

Pancreatitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. This condition often presents as neuropathic, inflammatory, and/or visceral pain. Acute pancreatitis is typically characterized by sudden and severe abdominal pain, often in the upper right part of the abdomen. The pain from pancreatitis can be caused by different mechanisms, such as abnormal activation of pancreatic zymogens or NF-κB mediated inflammation in the pancreas. The treatment of pancreatitis depends on its type, severity, and underlying cause. Hospitalization and medications are typically necessary, while in others, surgery may be required. Proper management of pancreatitis is essential, as it can help reduce the risk of complications and improve the patient’s quality of life. The literature on pancreatitis pain management evaluates systematic approaches and the effectiveness of various treatments, such as lidocaine, opioid agonists, ketamine, magnesium, endoscopic methods, spinal cord stimulation, and other novel treatments present opportunities for exploration in pancreatitis pain management.

Survival rates after liver transplantation have increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Cardiovascular disease is the most common extra-hepatic cause of mortality in the long-term post liver transplant. This is intimately linked with both the higher pre-existing rates of metabolic syndrome in these patients as well as increased propensity to develop de novo metabolic syndrome post-transplant. This unfavorable metabolic profile that contributes to cardiovascular disease is multifactorial and largely preventable. This review explores metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease and their contributory factors post liver transplantation to highlight areas for potential intervention and thus reduce the significant morbidity and mortality of patients due to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), focusing on key factors influencing its pathogenesis and emerging therapeutic strategies. This review highlights the growing prevalence of NAFLD and NASH, emphasizing their multifactorial nature. The manuscript identifies various contributors to NAFLD development, including genetic, dietary, and environmental factors, while examining the intricate interplay between these factors and their impact on hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Genetic predisposition, dietary fat intake, and excessive fructose consumption are discussed as significant contributors to NAFLD progression. The article emphasizes the lack of a single therapeutic approach and underscores the need for combination strategies. Lifestyle interventions, particularly weight loss through diet and exercise, remain crucial, while pharmacological options like GLP-1 receptor agonists, obeticholic acid, lanifibranor, and resmetirom show promise but require further validation. Bariatric surgery and emerging endoscopic procedures offer potential in eligible patients. In sum, this article underscores the complexity of NAFLD and NASH, addresses key factors influencing pathogenesis, and discusses emerging therapies advocating for a multifaceted approach to this increasingly prevalent and clinically relevant condition.