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Serotonin — a chemical produced by nerve cells — aggravated pulmonary fibrosis by promoting inflammation, oxidative stress (an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses), and activating fibrosis-associated genes in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, a new study shows. The study, “Serotonin Exhibits Accelerated…

People close to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and those they interact with — from family members and acquaintances to healthcare professionals — influence their acceptance of their disease and quality of life, a small U.K. study reports. It found that a solid understanding of IPF’s nature and disease…

A plant compound called parthenolide significantly reduces lung fibrosis and its associated inflammatory responses, according to a study conducted in mice with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The work also exposed the mechanisms behind parthenolide’s actions, providing a deeper understanding of lung fibrosis’ mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The study,…

The American Lung Association’s Better Breathers Club is now extending its resources and support network to patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), among others with chronic lung diseases. Getting a PF diagnosis can be overwhelming, as the disease remains without a cure and is characterized by a progressive decline in lung health.

Agricultural workers, veterinarians, and steel and metal industry workers are at higher risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a new study from central Italy reports. The findings also showed that organic dust, metal dust, and fumes are risk factors for the disease. The study, “Occupational risk…

Gossypol — a pharmacological inhibitor of the LDHA enzyme — shows promising results in the prevention and treatment of lung fibrosis, according to a study performed in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The results point to LDHA as a potential therapeutic target for this disorder. The study, “…

Results of a Phase 2 trial of Promedior’s PRM-151, a treatment candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), show a slowing in the loss of lung function among treated patients. The research, “Effect of Recombinant Human Pentraxin 2 vs Placebo on Change in Forced Vital Capacity in…

Double lung transplants are linked to significantly higher survival rates than single lung transplants among pulmonary fibrosis patients younger than 70, a retrospective study shows. The study, “Single versus Double Lung Transplantation in Pulmonary Fibrosis: Impact of Age and Pulmonary Hypertension,” was published in the journal The…

Canada’s healthcare system is excellent for people with common ailments like diabetes or high blood pressure, but it’s “basically failing the nearly three million Canadians with rare diseases.” So says Durhane Wong-Rieger, president and CEO of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD), a Toronto-based network representing 102 patient advocacy…

The progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) depends on the gender and smoking habits of patients, according to researchers. IPF-specific mortality was higher in female patients, whereas male patients were more likely to die from comorbidities associated with IPF. Female patients and non-smokers were less likely to succumb to pneumonia,…