Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects many people with type 2 diabetes and can lead to severe liver problems like liver failure and cancer.
Currently, there are no approved drugs for treating NAFLD. However, scientists from Karolinska Institutet have identified a promising drug candidate that could change this.
The research team discovered that an antibody blocking a protein called VEGF-B (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B) could be a potential treatment for fatty liver disease. VEGF-B controls the release of fatty acids from white adipose tissue, which is the fat stored in our bodies.
Obesity and overweight have become global issues, leading to a significant rise in type 2 diabetes.
Chronic overweight and type 2 diabetes are major risk factors for developing NAFLD, the leading cause of chronic liver diseases in Europe and the U.S. Among people with type 2 diabetes, 25 to 29 percent also have NAFLD.
The researchers explored a new approach to prevent fatty liver by using an antibody that targets VEGF-B. This method aims to keep fatty acids trapped in adipose tissue, preventing them from leaking into the liver and causing fat accumulation there.
The study involved both normal and genetically modified mice that were given different diets and treated with the VEGF-B blocking antibody.
The results showed that blocking the VEGF-B signal pathway in mice prevented fat from accumulating in their livers, thereby reducing the risk of NAFLD.
Additionally, the researchers examined body fat samples from 48 patients scheduled for bariatric surgery. Half of these patients had NAFLD, while the other half did not.
The findings revealed a strong connection between the level of VEGF-B signaling in white adipose tissue and the presence of NAFLD.
This research suggests that targeting VEGF-B could help prevent fatty liver disease and reduce the risk of severe liver conditions such as liver failure and cancer.
The study was led by Annelie Falkevall and published in the Journal of Hepatology. It represents a significant step forward in finding a treatment for NAFLD, offering hope for millions of people affected by this condition.
For those interested in liver health, other studies have linked dairy foods to liver cancer and found that coffee drinkers may halve their risk of liver cancer. Additionally, recent research suggests that the Mediterranean diet could reduce the incidence of fatty liver disease by half.
This promising development in NAFLD research underscores the importance of continuing to explore new therapies and preventative measures to combat liver diseases.
If you care about liver health, please read studies that refined fiber is link to liver cancer, and the best and worst foods for liver health.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to boost your liver naturally, and simple ways to detox your liver.
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