Pharm'Up 
Indian scientists have pioneered a groundbreaking treatment for liver cirrhosis, leveraging nanocarriers loaded with the protein Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C (VEGF-C) to enhance lymphatic vessel drainage. Cirrhosis, which evolves from chronic liver disease through fibrosis, often progresses to decompensation, marked by complications such as ascites—fluid accumulation in the abdomen. This condition stems from the distortion of blood and lymphatic vessels in the liver and intestine, where mesenteric lymphatic vessels (mLVs) become dilated and dysfunctional despite their increased numbers. In advanced cirrhosis, liver congestion elevates lymph production by 30-fold, but impaired drainage capacity worsens fluid buildup, a challenge with no effective treatments to date.
VEGF-C, a key pro-lymphangiogenic factor, stimulates the growth of new lymphatic vessels by activating VEGFR-3 receptors, improving drainage and immune responses. Earlier studies have confirmed that recombinant VEGF-C can foster lymphatic growth, and this new nanocarrier approach aims to revolutionize care for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
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