Fatty liver disease is so common that around 30 percent of people worldwide are affected by it, and there is currently no effective treatment available.
However, experts have now made a discovery that could make an effective treatment for this widespread liver condition possible.
In a joint study by South Korea’s University of Ulsan, Pusan National University, and Ulsan University Hospital, researchers identified a microRNA-93 that plays an important role in the progression of fatty liver disease.
This is the first time this compound has been linked to the onset and progression of this liver condition. The study found unusually high levels of this RNA in individuals affected by fatty liver disease.
According to the research, this RNA accelerates fat accumulation in the liver, inflammation, and other complications.
To better understand this, researchers used genetic editing to block the formation of this RNA in mice. As a result, the rate of fat accumulation in the liver significantly decreased, insulin sensitivity improved, and liver function also benefited.
After this, researchers examined 150 drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to determine whether they could reduce the levels of this RNA.
They discovered that vitamin B3 was the most effective option in this regard. In mice treated with vitamin B3, the levels of this RNA dropped dramatically, while the process of fat breakdown in the liver returned to normal.
According to researchers, this vitamin is widely available and already approved, which could help in developing an effective treatment for this common liver disease that currently has no established cure.
The results of this research have been published in the journal Metabolism.
It is worth noting that fatty liver disease is a chronic condition affecting millions of people worldwide. It is commonly referred to as non alcoholic fatty liver disease and is the most common type of liver disorder.
During this condition, the liver begins to store excessive amounts of fat, and if left untreated, its functions can be impaired. This liver disease also increases the risk of metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
In a healthy liver, the amount of fat is very low, and even a slight increase is considered a disease.
