Discovered a vitamin that many people take is a 'savior' for liver disease

Approximately 30% of the global population is affected by metabolically related fatty liver disease (steatosis), a condition for which there was previously no targeted treatment.

Now, in a new study published in the scientific journal Metabolism , scientists have found a genetic factor that aggravates liver disease and have discovered that the most effective medicine for this disease is a popular vitamin that many people still take, according to the medical news site Medical Express .

Vitamin B3 (niacin) is most effective in inhibiting miR-93, to reduce fatty liver

Photo: AI

A study led by scientists at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (South Korea) found that both fatty liver patients and animal models had abnormally high levels of miR-93. Through molecular analysis, the authors demonstrated that miR-93 promotes fat accumulation in the liver, causing inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting the expression of SIRT1 - a gene involved in fat metabolism in liver cells.

Using gene editing techniques to reduce miR-93 production in mice, researchers found that liver fat accumulation was significantly reduced, while insulin sensitivity and liver function indices were also significantly improved. Conversely, mice with overexpressed miR-93 had worsened liver metabolic function.

MiR-93 promotes fat accumulation in the liver, causing inflammation and fibrosis

Photo: AI

Notably, when screening 150 drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the authors found that vitamin B3 (niacin) was most effective in inhibiting miR-93, to reduce fatty liver.

Mice treated with vitamin B3 also had significantly reduced levels of miR-93 in the liver and significantly increased SIRT1 activity. Activated SIRT1 restored disrupted fat metabolism, thereby maintaining normal liver fat levels, according to Medical Express.

The study authors explain: This study sheds light on the origins of fatty liver disease and demonstrates the potential for repurposing an already approved vitamin to address this problem. Because vitamin B3 is safe and has been used to treat hyperlipidemia, it holds promise as a candidate for combination therapies to treat fatty liver.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phat-hien-loai-vitamin-nhieu-nguoi-uong-la-cuu-tinh-cho-benh-gan-185250518011818605.htm