An experiment conducted by the team of specialists discovered why certain fatty acids can help treat a liver condition called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
The specialists used a technique called multi-omic network analysis to understand how omega-3 supplements improved NASH.
They found that a protein growth factor called betacellulin plays a role in liver fibrosis and disease progression.
How it was discovered
The scientists studied mice and collected data from human livers to discover that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids target a protein called betacellulin.
They found that cancer patients have high levels of betacellulin in their livers, but omega-3 fatty acids reduced its amount in both mice and humans with NASH.
The findings open new possibilities for pharmaceutical research and personalized medicine for NASH treatment.
Monitoring betacellulin levels during treatment could help determine optimal dosages for patients.
Omega-3 fatty acids are not produced by the body and can be obtained from supplements or foods like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and plant oils.
The research involved scientists from Oregon State University and the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute.
The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.
Previously, we talked about chia seeds.
