Here’s what you need to know:
1. Cromolyn sodium is used to treat allergies, asthma and irritable bowel syndrome.
2. The researchers found that cromolyn sodium can be used to block histamine, a chemical compound that causes liver scarring.
3. This finding may help patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic liver disease that can lead to liver failure, infections or tumors.
4. At present, there is no effective treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis, aside from liver transplant.
5. The researchers hope that — with more research — it may be possible to use cromolyn sodium to prevent the progression of fibrosis.
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