Sharon DeMorrow

About

Sharon DeMorrow, Ph.D., FAASLD, is a Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research program broadly focuses on the neurological changes associated with either acute liver failure or chronic liver disorders. These alterations range from changes in neuropeptide hormone expression to severe cognitive impairment and hepatic coma, known as hepatic encephalopathy. Her ongoing studies aim to determine the signaling molecules released from an impaired liver that may alter brain function. Her work is dedicated to understanding the complex interactions between liver dysfunction and brain health, contributing to the fields of pharmaceutical sciences and neurogastroenterology. She is committed to providing exemplary education, training, research, and professional development in the pharmaceutical sciences, with a focus on advancing discovery, innovation, and patient care. Her efforts also include serving the university, professional and scientific communities, and society at large.

Research topics

• Biology
• Intensive care medicine
• Internal medicine
• Bioinformatics
• Pathology
• Biochemistry
• Medicine
• Gastroenterology

Selected publications

• Bile Acid Signaling in Neurodegenerative and Neurological Disorders

  International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2020 · 173 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding

  Bile acids are commonly known as digestive agents for lipids. The mechanisms of bile acids in the gastrointestinal track during normal physiological conditions as well as hepatic and cholestatic diseases have been well studied. Bile acids additionally serve as ligands for signaling molecules such as nuclear receptor Farnesoid X receptor and membrane-bound receptors, Takeda G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2. Recent studies have shown that bile acid signal…

  DOI

• 2021 ISHEN guidelines on animal models of hepatic encephalopathy

  Liver International · 2021 · 95 citations

  1st authorCorresponding

  This working group of the International Society of Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism (ISHEN) was commissioned to summarize and update current efforts in the development and characterization of animal models of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). As defined in humans, HE in animal models is based on the underlying degree and severity of liver pathology. Although hyperammonemia remains the key focus in the pathogenesis of HE, other factors associated with HE have been identified, together wi…

  DOI

• DAGLβ is the principal synthesizing enzyme of 2-AG and promotes aggressive phenotype of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma via AP-1/DAGLβ/miR4516 feedforward circuitry

  American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology · 2023-06-27 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  Dysregulated endocannabinoid system (ECS) had been confirmed in various liver diseases. However, regulation and function of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) and diacylglycerol lipase β (DAGLβ) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remain to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that 2-AG was enriched in ICC, and DAGLβ was the principal synthesizing enzyme of 2-AG in ICC. DAGLβ promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis in ICC via a novel activator protein-1 (AP-1)/DAGLβ/miR4516 feedforward circuitry.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Role of Neuroinflammation in the Pathogenesis of Hepatic Encephalopathy

  Journal of Immunology Research · 2025-01-01 · 5 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Liver disease impacts millions of Americans every year, which is compounded by the comorbidities and consequences that patients are susceptible to developing. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a severe consequence of liver failure resulting in a range of cognitive deficits that heavily impact quality of life. Approximately 40% of acute liver failure (ALF) patients and 50% of chronic liver disease patients will be diagnosed with HE, and the associated prognosis is 44% and 42%, respectively. Though u…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Role of Hypothalamic Neuropeptides in Regulation of Liver Functions in Health and Disease

  Endocrines · 2023-06-20 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  The communication between brain and peripheral tissues is mediated by neuropeptides that coordinate the functions of each organ with the activities of the entire body in specific environmental conditions. Hypothalamic neuropeptides act as neurotransmitters and hormones to regulate the physiology of food intake, digestion, and metabolism, having a direct or indirect impact on the liver. Investigations on liver pathologies found that dysfunctions of neuropeptides and their receptors are associated…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R03DK088012

  NIH · $134k · 2012

• NIH Grant I01BX002638

  NIH · 2018

• NIH Grant K01DK078532

  NIH · $697k · 2013

Frequent coauthors

• Gianfranco Alpini

  Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center

  345 shared

• Matthew McMillin

  Illinois College

  241 shared

• Gabriel Frampton

  The University of Texas at Austin

  223 shared

• Heather Francis

  Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

  216 shared

• Shannon Glaser

  Texas A&M University

  205 shared

• Fanyin Meng

  China National Petroleum Corporation (China)

  187 shared

• Julie Venter

  The University of Texas at Austin

  184 shared

• Paolo Onori

  Sapienza University of Rome

  143 shared

Awards & honors

• FAASLD

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