Link between “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” and Alzheimer’s discovered

While the link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – also called “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease “ (NAFLD) – and neurological problems has already been established by the scientific world, a question remains: what is the origin of this relationship? It is the object of study conducted by researchers from the University of South Carolina (United States). Published in the journal Journal of Neuroinflammation, their work focuses on the protein Lipocalin 2, produced exclusively by the liver and circulating throughout the body of people with NAFLD.

Using a mouse model with the disease, the scientists studied the role of Lipocalin 2 as an important mediator of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration within NAFLD, through the liver- axis. brain. Conclusion: the brain pathology inherent in the disease could be caused by an increase in the release of the HMGB1 protein, induced by Lipocalin 2.

“Designing new therapeutic approaches”

“Chronic neuroinflammation is a crucial element in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease”, says Prakash Nagarkatti, vice president of research at the University of South Carolina, in a article published on the establishment’s website.

“Our study can help design new therapeutic approaches to counter neuroinflammatory pathology in NAFLD, but also in other brain pathologies associated with chronic inflammatory diseases”adds Associate Professor Saurabh Chatterjee, head of the University of South Carolina’s Environmental Health Sciences Laboratory. While researchers point out that many people don’t know they have NAFLD, they are warning about its repercussions, as it can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and other liver diseases.

“Patients with NAFLD develop Alzheimer-like symptoms”

“The research is extremely important because it has been shown that patients with NAFLD develop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson-like symptoms when they are older, explique Saurabh Chatterjee. Scientists can use these findings to advance our knowledge of neuroinflammatory complications in NAFLD and develop appropriate treatments.”

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