3D imaging reveals neural 'vicious cycle' in fatty liver disease

Date:
July 22, 2021
Source:
Karolinska Institutet
Summary:
With the application of a novel three-dimensional imaging
technology, researchers have discovered that one portion of the
autonomic nervous system in the liver undergoes severe degeneration
in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study, which is conducted
in mice and human liver tissue, shows that the degeneration of
nerves is correlated with the severity of liver pathology.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
With the application of a novel three-dimensional imaging technology, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered that one
portion of the autonomic nervous system in the liver undergoes severe degeneration in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study, which is conducted in mice and human liver tissue, shows that the degeneration of
nerves is correlated with the severity of liver pathology. The results
are being published in the journal Science Advances.


========================================================================== Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common hepatic disorder,
with prevalence around 25 percent globally. Approximately one third of
all fatty liver cases will develop to steatohepatitis, which is a severe disease seriously affecting the entire metabolism.

In the current paper, researchers explore the nervous system in fatty
liver using volume immuno-imaging and light sheet microscopy ? a novel
imaging technique, which altogether offer large-scale 3D visualization
with cellular resolution. According to the study, this technology can
reveal even early, minor or hidden structural impairments of the liver.

"Now we know that nerves in the liver have multiple subtle regulatory
roles" says Csaba Adori, researcher at the Department of Neuroscience,
who led the study. "Their role, however, may be more essential
during the fight-or-flight response or when subjected to metabolic
challenges. Degeneration of liver sympathetic nerves and abnormal
operation of the remaining nerve fibres in the fatty liver could
compromise all these functions, which may contribute to further
aggravation of the disease, as part of a vicious cycle." According to
the study, alterations in the liver innervation occurs already in early
stages of fatty liver disease. With progression to the more severe steatohepatitis, these impairments turn to a pronounced degeneration of
the nerves. The nerve pathology is also similar in mouse model of fatty
liver and in human fatty liver samples. The research team now hopes that
the study results will open the door for new therapeutic approaches in
the treatment of steatohepatitis and portal hypertension, by targeting
the liver sympathetic nervous system.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Karolinska_Institutet. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Csaba Adori, Teresa Daraio, Raoul Kuiper, Swapnali Barde, Lubica
Horvathova, Takashi Yoshitake, Robert Ihnatko, Ismael
Valladolid-Acebes, Pauline Vercruysse, Ashley M. Wellendorf,
Roberto Gramignoli, Bela Bozoky, Jan Kehr, Elvar Theodorsson,
Jose A. Cancelas, Boris Mravec, Carl Jorns, Ewa Ellis, Jan Mulder,
Mathias Uhle'n, Christina Bark, Tomas Ho"kfelt. Disorganization
and degeneration of liver sympathetic innervations in nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease revealed by 3D imaging.

Science Advances, 2021; 7 (30): eabg5733 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg5733 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210722112911.htm

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