Liver disease and hepatic fibrosis – scarring of the liver – has been found to be linked to genetics. The findings come from researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. Hepatic fibrosis leads to dysfunction of the liver and can ultimately progress to cirrhosis, a fatal form of liver disease. The researchers believe that hepatic fibrosis can be linked with environmental and genetic factors.
First author, Rohit Loomba, said, “The most common known causes of hepatic fibrosis have been viral hepatitis C infections, alcohol abuse, poor diet and obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH, which resembles alcoholic liver disease but occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol. We found, however, that hepatic fibrosis and steatosis (infiltration of liver cells with fat) are strong genetic traits. At around 50 percent heritability, they’re more genetic than body mass index.”
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Cross-sectional analysis of 60 pairs of twins was conducted to achieve their results. MRI technology was used to determine the fat accumulation in the twins’ livers as well as liver stiffness. Twenty-six of the 120 participants had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD can be a precursor to hepatic fibrosis.
Loomba added, “This evidence that hepatic steatosis and hepatic fibrosis are heritable traits has major implications. It means that we can now look for the relevant genes as potential therapeutic targets.”
Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis have become popular areas of study as of late. There are currently over a dozen different trials underway to learn more about both conditions. NAFLD is the most common form of liver disease affecting an estimated 80 to 100 million Americans.
The findings were published in Gastroenterology.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
