Liver FoxO1 overexpression is positively associated with the degree of liver injury in cirrhotic patients

Chronic liver disease and related complications, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, are associated with high mortality. Curative treatments, partial hepatectomy or liver transplantation, have limited applicability in patients with cirrhosis due to the poor liver regenerative capacity. Thus, we need to find new diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives, to block the disease progression and to improve the survival of patients. In this context, preclinical studies have demonstrated the key role of the protein kinase B (Akt) in liver dysfunction, but the status of Akt and its targets in patients with chronic hepatopathy remains unknown. Aims: To determine the activation status of the Akt pathway and their association with liver functionality in cirrhotic patients.