A recent study by a group of researchers at the Edinburgh University, Scotland, published in the journal Nature Medicine, has raised a hope for the development of treatment for chronic liver ailments, says a new report.

It has been found through the report that the team of researchers had conducted a study to find out how affected liver got improved. Finding that liver disease is the killer of numerous Brits, proving itself as the fifth highest fatal disease in the country, the team aimed to reveal the cause for the same.

As per the team, liver disease has become far more deadly at present as compared to around two decades ago. It leads to more than double the number of deaths that it caused then. It is being said by the team that until now, the only treatment for chronic liver illness is organ transplant, failing which patients tend to die. However, the latest study brings with it a hope to discover new healing strategies for the same.

The lead researcher, Luke Boulter, from the Medical Research Council's Centre for Regenerative Medicine, and colleagues have found that the cells (hepatocytes) that are lost when fatal conditions such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis attack liver, can be reproduced by stimulation. However, liver cells redevelop naturally but, sometimes make frequent bile duct cells, which are wrong. And the team has found the way to balance the same.

They, with the help of their research, have discovered the system of complex biochemical signals that cause the vital liver cells to regenerate. It is being said by the panel that new drugs can be created by thorough study of the same. "This research helps us to know how to increase numbers of cells that are needed for healthy liver function and could pave the way to finding drugs that help liver repair", says Dr. Butler.