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Therapeutic advances in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been universally directed towards patients with established disease to control inflammation, ameliorate symptoms and hinder disease progression, but preventing IBD development or delaying its onset are highly attractive. This Comment discusses the emerging approaches and future promises of interventional disease prevention trials in IBD.
The current state of microbiome research in Africa can be leveraged to encourage the development and implementation of standardized processes for data collection and management. In this Comment, we provide some recommendations to enable the research community to fully harness the richness of the microbiome of African populations and potential opportunities therein.
Gastroenterology as a specialty can make a substantial contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of the health-care system. Concrete actions are needed to increase awareness, education and evidence-based knowledge on eco-sustainable diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to digestive diseases.
This Review describes inter-organ ammonia metabolism in liver disease and mechanisms underlying the pathogenic effect of hyperammonaemia in hepatic encephalopathy, liver disease progression in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, immune dysfunction and hepatocellular carcinoma. It also addresses the principles of treating hyperammonaemia.
Guidelines currently recommend organ-specific management of obesity-related complications. Agents that agonize glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors, including those that co-agonize other anorexigenic hormone receptors, lead to substantial weight loss and benefits in people with varying obesity-related complications, with further trials underway. These medications enable cause-specific management of obesity complications.
Immune dysregulation is a main feature of chronic liver disease, whose burden increases worldwide. This Review discusses the influence of biological sex in hepatic immune mechanisms in the context of liver disease and identifies sex disparities in research and therapeutics.
Bathroom ban legislation is increasing throughout the United States, and little is known about the effect on transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals with chronic gastrointestinal conditions. Efforts should be made to raise awareness and address the knowledge gaps.
Studying human physiology and pathophysiology in preclinical animal models has drawbacks. Developments in organ-on-a-chip (organ chip) technology have opened up new ways to model human intestinal physiology. This Review discusses intestinal organ chips as disease models and preclinical tools and their potential for personalized medicine.
Mortality related to liver diseases and liver cancer is high and on the rise in the Asia-Pacific region. This Review summarizes the current epidemiological data and discusses the changing landscape of burden and aetiology of liver disease and liver cancer in the Asia-Pacific region.
The proximal small intestine is key for nutrition, metabolism and immune responses, and can be affected by a wide range of disorders. This Review describes the cellular and molecular bases of diseases of the proximal small intestine (including rare monogenic disorders), proposing a mechanism-based taxonomy.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) prevalence is increasing worldwide, and a crucial risk factor is food insecurity. This Review provides an extensive overview of food insecurity in the context of MASLD and discusses potential policies and procedures as interventions.