Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing health concern, particularly among people with type 2 diabetes. This condition, which can lead to serious liver diseases such as liver failure and liver cancer, currently has no approved treatments.
However, a recent study from Karolinska Institutet has identified a promising drug candidate that could offer a new way to treat NAFLD.
NAFLD is closely linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which have seen a sharp rise worldwide in recent decades. The condition is the most common cause of chronic liver diseases in Europe and the U.S.
Among people with type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of NAFLD is alarmingly high, affecting 25 to 29 percent of this population. Despite its widespread impact, there are no drugs currently approved to treat NAFLD, making the search for effective treatments urgent.
In their study, the researchers explored a novel approach to tackling fatty liver disease. They focused on a protein called VEGF-B (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B), which plays a role in controlling the release of fatty acids from white adipose tissue—the fat stored in our bodies.
The team developed an antibody that blocks VEGF-B, which they believe could be an effective way to prevent fat from accumulating in the liver.
The idea behind this approach is simple: by keeping fatty acids stored in the adipose tissue, they can prevent these fats from leaking out and accumulating in the liver, which is a key factor in the development of NAFLD. The study’s results were promising.
In experiments with mice, the researchers found that blocking the VEGF-B signal pathway effectively prevented fat accumulation in the liver and reduced the risk of NAFLD.
The study was conducted on both normal and genetically modified mice that were given different diets and treated with the drug candidate. The results showed a clear reduction in liver fat, suggesting that this method could be a viable treatment for NAFLD.
To further validate their findings, the researchers also studied body fat samples from 48 patients who were scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery, a common weight-loss procedure. Half of these patients had NAFLD, while the other half did not.
The researchers found a strong link between the level of VEGF-B signaling in white adipose tissue and the presence of NAFLD.
This finding suggests that high VEGF-B activity may contribute to the development of fatty liver disease, and that blocking this pathway could help prevent or treat the condition.
NAFLD is not just a standalone issue; it is associated with several serious and potentially fatal diseases, including liver failure and terminal liver cancer.
The researchers hope that their findings could lead to a new treatment that not only prevents fatty liver but also lowers the risk of these severe outcomes.
While this research is still in its early stages, the discovery of a drug candidate that targets VEGF-B represents a significant step forward in the fight against NAFLD.
If future studies confirm these results in humans, this approach could revolutionize the way we treat fatty liver disease and improve the lives of millions of people affected by this condition.
The study, led by Annelie Falkevall and published in the Journal of Hepatology, highlights the potential of targeting VEGF-B as a novel therapeutic strategy for NAFLD. For those concerned about liver health, this research offers a glimmer of hope that effective treatments may be on the horizon.
As the study continues to develop, those interested in liver health can also explore other recent findings, such as the potential benefits of dairy foods and coffee in reducing the risk of liver cancer, or how the Mediterranean diet could significantly lower the incidence of fatty liver disease.
With ongoing research and emerging treatments, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of liver health.
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 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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