Liver on a chip
07 June 2006
Taiwanese researchers have created artificial liver tissue that could offer hope for transplant patients.

The team, led by Cheng-Hsien Liu at National Tsing Hua University, made a chip that can organise several thousands of cells into complex tissue structures. The chip applies a non-uniform electric field to the cells, which polarises them and causes them to move.

The researchers created artificial liver tissue, using the chip to arrange specialised liver cells (hepatocytes) into chains radiating from a central point. They then added endothelial cells, cells that line blood vessels in the body, which filled the gaps between the hepatocyte chains. Liu's artificial tissue mimics the structure of real liver, which is made up of hexagonal units called lobules containing radial hepatocyte chains linked by regions of endothelial cells. Hepatocytes are responsible for many different jobs in the liver, including detoxifying drugs and metabolising cholesterol and fat. The radial structure of lobules is essential for ensuring that blood reaches the hepatocytes and that the liver functions normally. Liu suggests the artificial tissue could eventually be used in transplants and drug testing.

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ORGAN DONATION AND ETHNICITY STUDY
24th July 2006
Previous research tells us that in theory a high percentage of people in the United Kingdom are happy to donate their organs either as a living donor or after their death. However, despite several high profile campaigns overall donation rates remain low in practice, and even lower amongst people from Indo-Asian and Afro-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds.

Of those people who do donate, the majority originate from White British ethnic groups. This is particularly problematic for Indo-Asian and Afro-Caribbean patients awaiting a transplant because they are more likely to have a rarer blood group (B+) and tissue type than the majority of donors. This often results in significantly longer waiting times for an organ transplant and an increase in complications associated with organ failure.

To try and improve the total number of organs available for transplantation and in particular the severe shortfall between supply and demand for patients from Indo-Asian and Afro-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds, this study hopes to improve our understanding as to why the gap exists between what people say they are willing to do, and what they actually do in practice.

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Why Grapefruit and Your Meds Don't Mix
By: Karen Barrow
While reading your prescription label, you see typical warnings: "may cause drowsiness, nausea and headaches," "do not take while operating heavy machinery," and the seemingly random "do not eat grapefruit while taking this medicine."

It's a disappointment to those who enjoy a glass of grapefruit juice when washing down their pills, but doctors have known for almost 15 years that this fruit can cause serious interactions with some medications. However, only now can they completely explain why grapefruit may be a pill taker's enemy.

Unlike other citrus juices, grapefruit juice contains furanocoumarins, a substance that seems to affect the way your body absorbs certain medications, including cholesterol-lowering drugs, some antihistamines, erectile dysfunction drugs and blood pressure medications. Normally, these drugs are partially blocked from entering the body by an enzyme in the intestine. However, furanocoumarins prevent this enzyme from working, allowing potentially toxic levels of the drug to enter to body, which may cause organ damage.

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Open Day 2007
Come and join in the Open Day fun, taking place on Sunday 1 July 2007 from 11am-3.30pm.
The Open Day gives you an opportunity to learn more about your local hospital, find out about the remarkable things that are happening on your doorstop, and talk to our staff and have a fun day out.

Liver Transplant Support's King's liver support group will be there handing out newsletters and inviting you to share your experiences with the team. We have trained mentors to talk to and hope you find some answers to your questions. We would appreciate your feedback and enquiries either by completing one of the forms or alternatively email us through this website.

Hope to see you there! , Regards George, Administrator.

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King's College Hospital Open Day - How it went
Open Day: Thank you

King’s hosted its fourth annual Open Day, on Sunday 2 July 2006.

This year was the most successful so far, and having brilliant weather helped us with an attendance of approximately 1,500 visitors. 26 internal departments took part, who each planned their own area, with fun and interactive displays to inform and educate the public on the services they provide.

Thank you to all the departments involved, all your hard work was greatly appreciated.

The aim of the day was to get local people to come into the hospital, meet staff and find out about the remarkable work taking place right on their doorstep. The Open Day also provided a great platform to raise money for charity. This year we had a number of departments and individuals raising funds for charity; Fiona Hunter held a cake sale, and raised over £400 for the Elimination of Leukaemia Fund, Chrissie Lancaster a volunteer, who raised cash for Action on Pain in exchange for Indian Head Massage treatments and The King’s Fundraising Department, who with help from Nando’s and The Book People raised over £1000.

An extra special thank you must go out to all the King's Volunteers, whose hard work and enthusiasm kept the day running smoothly for everyone. All of our volunteers did a tremendous job, and the day would not have been the success it was without them.