Life of sexagenarian saved by road crash victim's organ donation
Bengaluru: In an act of generosity, a 42-year-old woman from Bengaluru who had suffered a tragic road traffic accident near Sanjaynagar, BEL Road has given the gift of life to multiple individuals through organ donation. Ragini (name changed), a devoted wife and mother to an eight-year-old son, sustained severe injuries in a road traffic accident on March 07 and was brought to Ramaiah Memorial Hospital with a traumatic brain injury.
Despite the efforts of the medical team, she was declared brain dead. In the face of this immense grief, her family made a courageous and selfless decision to donate her organs, ensuring that her legacy continues. Her liver, kidneys, heart, and eyes were donated, offering a second chance at life to critically ill patients.
64-year-old Venkatesh, who has been suffering from NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) related Liver Cirrhosis since 2019 and had been complaining of Refractory Ascites and Hepatorenal Syndrome (an advanced liver disease characterized by rapid kidney failure), received her liver, while one of her kidneys was transplanted into a 32-year-old patient. The remaining organs were sent to the other hospitals per organ donation regulations.
Explaining liver transplantation as part of the Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation process, Dr. Jagadeesh Krishnamurthy, Consultant Surgeon – Liver Transplantation, HPB & GI Surgery, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, said, 'When we learned about the unfortunate accident wherein Ragini was declared brain dead and could not be saved, we spoke to her family about the possibility of organ donation that would help us save at least six lives. Following their positive decision, we harvested her liver and found a match for Venkatesh.'
He further added, 'Organ transplantation surgeries can be a risky and complex procedure, yet safe when it is from a living donor. One organ donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation.'
According to the official data, Karnataka ranks second in organ donations. The state performed 178 organ donations, a significant achievement in the organ donation programme. However, with thousands awaiting transplant of various organs, the gap between donations and requirements remains huge. Therefore, as a qualified and skilled transplant surgeon, I urge every citizen to consider organ donation and participate in gifting hope and a new life to someone in need.'
Ragini's family said, 'Losing Ragini has been incredibly painful, but knowing that she has given others a new lease on life is a source of strength for us.
She always put others first and this final act reflects the kindness she carried in her heart. Ragini's contribution is a poignant reminder of the impact one individual can have, even in their final moments. Her generosity aligns with the spirit of the profound role women play in shaping lives, not just in their families but in the wider community. It reflects every woman's strength and compassion, making a lasting impact even beyond their lifetime.'
Dr. SC Nagendra Swamy, President – Ramaiah Memorial Hospital shared, ' I would also like applaud the Liver Transplantation team and every other staff member who has been a part of this surgical success.'
Thanking the team of doctors and staff at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Venkatesh remarked on his day of discharge, 'I have been through insufferable pain and agony due to my liver disease and had been on the waiting list. I thank Ragini's family for their decision to donate her healthy organs to patients like me, in dire need of a new and better
quality of life.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
PGI researchers give new hope for treatment of severe liver disease
Lucknow: Advanced scientific research conducted by scientists at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) has shown a new way to treat Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) – a severe but common liver disease. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The research, led by Rohit A Sinha, a scientist and associate professor in the endocrinology department, along with his team comprising Sana Raza and Pratima Gupta, proved that a naturally occurring hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can help in checking liver damage caused by NASH by removing harmful fat from liver cells, reducing inflammation, and preventing liver damage. A Union health ministry document notes that NASH is the severest form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Terming it as "a silent epidemic", the document noted that NAFLD's community prevalence ranges from 9% to 32%, depending on age, gender, area of residence, and socioeconomic status. This means that up to three people out of 10 could have fatty liver or a related disease. What raises concerns is that 20% of people with NAFLD develop NASH. "DHEA is a parent hormone that acts as a precursor to sex hormones in humans. While scanning several case studies of NASH patients, we noted that the level of DHEA in them was on the lower side. Keeping this as the base, we proposed to study the impact of increasing this hormone in NASH patients with a significant extent of fibrosis – a symptom of NASH," said Sinha, adding that the study was published in the journal 'Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology'. "We began with animal studies. In the mouse model, we fed the experimental group with a NASH-inducing diet. When the condition was confirmed in them, we injected DHEA. The outcome showed that the severity of liver damage in 80% of the sample decreased by about 60%," he said. The results paved the way for a cellular study in which the researchers worked upon lab-grown human liver cells. "Here too, in the experimental group, we loaded the cells with excessive fat to create a NASH-like condition. Thereafter, we introduced DHEA and found that the fat percentage decreased by up to 80%," said Sinha. "The result has been heartening. We now look forward to clinical trials for hormone replacement therapy," he said.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
From belly fat to fatty liver: When weight gain speaks louder than you think
Although many people believe that gaining weight is an inevitable consequence of modern life, there might be more going on here than meets the eye as fat accumulates around the abdomen. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This seeming alteration can be an indicator to an underlying metabolic disorder, which might be able to prolong and covertly impact vital metabolic organs like the liver. Among all of these issues, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming more and more prominent as a condition with major health implications and a close connection to abdominal obesity. When fat builds up in the liver in people who consume little or no alcohol, it can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It currently affects millions of people of all ages and is thought to be the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Central obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia—all components of the metabolic syndrome—are closely linked to the disorder. Visceral, or abdominal, fat has biological activity. It releases hormones and inflammatory substances that disrupt the liver's and other organs' regular functions. A series of metabolic disturbances can happen as the liver starts to retain fat in excess of what is typical. Steatosis, also known as fatty liver, is the accumulation of fat over time that can cause non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is inflammation and damage to the liver cells for wear. It can then lead to cirrhosis, fibrosis, and even liver cancer. NAFLD can be a silent killer because it may not show any symptoms until it is well-established. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A lot of cases are discovered by chance when we're doing normal health checks or looking into other issues. Elevated liver enzymes on a blood test, fatty infiltration on ultrasonography, or a FibroScan measurement of liver stiffness might all raise suspicions of NAFLD. A liver biopsy may occasionally be required to confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of liver damage. Managing fatty liver disease focuses mainly on treating the causes. Importantly, the management of fatty liver disease comprises lifestyle changes such as: Weight loss: Loss of 5–10% body weight can improve liver fat and inflammation. Weight loss should be gradual, because rapid weight loss can worsen liver function. Dietary modifications: It is important that the diet is nutrient-dense and limits saturated fats, added sugar, and refined carbohydrates. The Mediterranean diet is nutrient-dense and consists of food such as vegetables, fruit, whole grain, lean protein, and healthy fats. This eating habits has shown great potential relevance to resolving fatty liver disease. Regular exercise: At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity and decrease liver fat independent of weight loss. Medical Management: No medication has been authorized expressly to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Guidelines are implemented for treating diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol in relation to fatty liver disease. For some patients, vitamin E and specific insulin-sensitizing medications may be taken into consideration. Patients could require more intensive treatment if they have severe liver damage. A liver transplant treatment might be necessary for patients with cirrhosis. Important preventive actions include keeping an eye on waist circumference and preserving a healthy body composition. A belly fad should not be written off as harmless; rather, it is a biochemical indication that the body's internal equilibrium might be in risk. Early liver damage can be reversed and potential long-term problems could be avoided with the combination of timely medical treatment and consistent lifestyle changes. Dr. Mangesh Keshavrao Borkar, Consultant - Medical Gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospitals, Kharadi, Pune
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Time of India
Can Ozempic reverse liver disease? New study holds the answer
The landmark study Why is this big news? Should everyone with liver disease be on Ozempic? Increasing coffee consumption may lower severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver: Study If you've been hearing a lot about Ozempic lately, you're not alone. Once a quiet diabetes drug, it shot to fame as a weight-loss injection. But now, it might be about to earn a new title: a potential game-changer for liver disease. You read that right—Ozempic may not just help you shed pounds, but also reverse serious and common liver is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally designed to manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking a hormone that controls hunger, making you feel full faster and eat less. That's how it gained massive popularity for weight loss. But researchers recently discovered another potential benefit that could impact millions—its ability to tackle non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or is an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where fat builds up in the liver unrelated to alcohol use. Over time, that fat causes inflammation and liver cell damage, leading to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, or even liver failure. There's currently no approved drug specifically for treating is where Ozempic comes in—and it's not just hype.A new clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine , revealed that semaglutide can significantly improve liver health in NASH study was led by Dr Arun Sanyal of the Virginia Commonwealth University (US), and Dr Philip Newsome of King's College followed over 800 people diagnosed with NASH and liver fibrosis. Participants were randomly given either a weekly injection of semaglutide (Ozempic) or a placebo for 72 weeks. The results? than 62.9% of patients taking semaglutide saw a complete resolution of NASH, compared to just 34.3% in the placebo group. Improvements in both MASH and fibrosis were seen in 32.7 percent of the participants on semaglutide, compared to 16.1 percent of the placebo better? People also lost weight which is linked to liver now, patients with NASH have been told the same old advice: lose weight, exercise more, and eat better. While lifestyle changes do work, they're often not enough for people already dealing with fibrosis and significant liver inflammation. Plus, not everyone is able to lose the amount of weight needed to improve liver semaglutide, patients may finally have a real treatment that goes beyond just symptom so fast. While this is exciting news, semaglutide isn't approved yet specifically for NASH or fatty liver disease—it's currently approved for type 2 diabetes and used for weight like any drug, it comes with side effects—nausea, vomiting, constipation, and possible risks for pancreatitis or gallbladder issues in some people. So, it's not a universal fix—but it could be a huge step forward for those battling progressive liver disease with few other options, once it gets approved. Don't make any changes without talking to your doctor.
