Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide, frequently affecting individuals who consume little or no alcohol, particularly those of advanced age or with type 2 diabetes.
Around 40% of people over 70 suffer from NAFLD. While often asymptomatic, some may experience symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
The underlying triggers for NAFLD have long eluded the medical community.
However, a recent study points towards abnormalities within the cell’s “hard drives” — the repositories of our genetic instructions — as potential contributors to NAFLD.
Inside the Cell’s Nucleus: The Birthplace of Changes
The researchers identified that alterations begin in the cell nucleus, home to our chromosomes.
These changes can modify the behavior of specific genes, leading to an accumulation of fat in the liver. The team zeroed in on an area of the nucleus known as the lamina.
The lamina serves as a bridge between the nuclear membrane and the genetic material (chromatin). The formation of wrinkles in the lamina can influence the activity of genes governing fat storage.
Hyperactive fat storage genes can cause the liver to become inundated with surplus fats, culminating in NAFLD.
To substantiate their findings, the researchers examined liver cells from younger NAFLD patients, aged 21-51. As anticipated, they discovered wrinkled lamina in these cells.
This discovery could elucidate why NAFLD can affect people of all ages and could potentially serve as an early marker for those at risk.
Looking Ahead: Implications and Future Research
This ground-breaking discovery could pave the way for novel treatments focused on restoring the functionality of the nuclear lamina.
By doing so, these treatments could control errant genes and potentially reverse fatty liver disease in both young and older NAFLD patients.
Nonetheless, additional research is necessary to corroborate these findings and to investigate potential therapeutic interventions targeting the lamina.
The study was led by Irina M. Bochkis and was published in the journal Genome Research.
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If you care about liver health, please read studies about a diet that can treat fatty liver disease and obesity, and coffee drinkers may halve their risk of liver cancer.
For more information about liver health, please see recent studies that an anti-inflammatory diet could help prevent fatty liver disease, and results showing vitamin D could help prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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