Better understanding of the development of fatty liver disease
Researchers have a new mechanism for the development of advanced forms of the fatty liver disease identified. Fortunately, the process can go through Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements be reversed.
In a new study involving experts from Peking University were the effects of amino acid Homocysteine examined for the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolism and autophagy. The results are in the “Journal of Hepatology” released.
What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
One non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL) describes fat deposits in the liver that are not related to alcohol consumption. Worldwide are regarding 25 percent of all adults are affected, the researchers report.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the leading causes of liver transplants worldwide, the team said. The high prevalence is due to the connection with diabetes and obesity attributed.
When the disease then progresses to inflammation and scarring, it’s called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Liver dysfunction caused by NASH
„While fat deposition in the liver is reversible in the early stages, progression to NASH leads to liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, and increases the risk of liver cancer‘ explains the author of the study Dr. Madhulika Tripathi in a press release the Duke-NUS Medical School.
So far, according to the team, there is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms of the disease no pharmacological treatments for NASH. Although it is known that NASH has elevated blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine, its role in the development of the disease has so far remained unclear.
role of homocysteine
However, the researchers have now been able to confirm the link between homocysteine and the progression of NASH in preclinical models and in humans. In addition, the team found that when homocysteine levels in the liver increased, the amino acid turned to different proteins accumulates liver proteinswhose Structure changed and their function impaired.
The researchers report that homocysteine turns when it attaches itself to a protein called Syntaxin 17 attaches, this prevents it from fulfilling its task of transport and digestion of fat in fatty acid metabolism, in mitochondrial turnover and in the prevention of inflammation.
The cellular process of Autophagy is disrupted, in which cells remove malformed proteins or damaged organelles, the team explains. This leads to the progression of fatty liver disease to a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid prevent NASH
However, the study also showed that dietary supplementation in the preclinical models with vitamin B12 and folic acid increased levels of syntaxin 17 in the liver and its role in autophagy restored. In addition, the progression of the disease and the Hepatic inflammation and fibrosis decreased.
„Our results are both exciting and important as they suggest that a relatively inexpensive therapy, namely vitamin B12 and folic acid, might be used to prevent and/or delay the progression of NASH‘ reports the author of the study Dr. Brijesh Singh.
The expert adds that the homocysteine levels in the serum and in the liver are also biomarkers for the severity of NASH be able. Similarly, homocysteine might also affect other liver proteins. The team plans to investigate further in the future which liver proteins it is regarding.
Therapy of NASH in prospect
Experts are hopeful that this research will lead to the development of Therapies once morest NASH will lead.
The ability to use vitamin B12 and folic acid as first-line therapies for the prevention and treatment of NASH might result in huge cost savings and reduce the health burden of NASH in both developed and developing countries, adds Dr. Singh. added.
So far, the only way to treat end-stage liver disease is one Transplantation. But the study shows that a simple, affordable, and easily accessible intervention can reduce liver damage stop or undo might. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Madhulika Tripathi, Brijesh Kumar Singh, Jin Zhou, Keziah Tikno ,Anissa Widjaja, et al.: Vitamin B12 and folate decrease inflammation and fibrosis in NASH by preventing Syntaxin 17 homocysteinylation; in: Journal of Hepatology (veröffentlicht 08.07.2022), Journal of Hepatology
- Duke-NUS Medical School: B vitamins can potentially be used to treat advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Duke-NUS (veröffentlicht 04.08.2022), Duke-NUS Medical School
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
