Scientists have transformed human skin cells into fully functioning liver cells with "extremely promising" therapeutic potential.

Transplanted into laboratory mice with liver failure, the cells matured and multiplied over a period of nine months.

In future they could form the basis of personalised treatments for patients who might otherwise need a liver transplant.

Earlier attempts to produce liver cells from artificially created stem cells have proved disappointing.

Generally, once implanted into existing liver tissue the cells have not tended to survive.

The new research involved a two-stage process of transforming skin cells in the laboratory before transplanting them.

First, the cells were genetically reprogrammed back to an intermediate "endoderm" stage of development using a cocktail of genes and chemical compounds.

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"The liver likes a balanced diet, just like the rest of your body," explains Dr. Nancy Reau, vice president of the American Liver Foundation's Board of Directors. She notes that an extreme elimination diet is generally not good for your system, and any benefit it may give you disappears once you go back to eating regularly. For the liver (as well as the rest of your body), look to high-fibre vegetables and lean proteins.

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Liver Transplant Research: Skin Cells Transformed Into Liver Cells Could Save Lives, Scientists Say