UNIVERSITY of Queensland scientists have identified genes associated with fatty liver disease, a condition that affects millions of Australians.
The Centre for Liver Disease Research discovery offers potential to develop ways to treat the disease and halt its progression.
Lead researcher Divya Ramnath said the team used a combination of techniques to identify the genes and gain new insights into the roles they play in chronic liver conditions.
“The impact of infection, alcohol, obesity and poor diet on the development of chronic liver disease is well established, but how genetic factors contribute to its progression has remained largely a mystery,” Dr Ramnath said.
“We took a deeper look than previous genetic studies, profiling gene expression changes in liver biopsies of patients at various stages of liver fibrosis – or scarring – in combination with changes in levels of specific markers in the blood that predict liver fibrosis.
“This enabled us to identify a core set of liver fibrosis-associated genes as well as a specific protein that likely activates many of these genes.
“By comparing the genetic profiles of chronic liver disease patients with and without fatty liver, we were, for the first time, able to pinpoint a set of genes that are specifically associated with fatty liver disease.”
Common problem
HEALTH authorities estimate about 5.5 million Australians have fatty liver disease.
The accumulation of fat causes inflammation and leaves sufferers – who often have no symptoms – more susceptible to liver cancer.
“There are currently no approved treatments for patients with late stage fatty liver disease, which is rising to record levels within Australia and around the world,” Dr Ramnath said.
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