Love Your Liver

Scientists have revealed a way to healing your liver from chronic alcohol damage.

16:18 30 March 2016

American scientists have made a discovery that could one day allow alcoholics to fix their damaged liver. They have found that switching off a certain gene allows the liver to regenerate itself.

 

The liver has the natural ability to regenerate itself. However, this ability is compromised in case of chronic alcohol damage or if the organ is damaged by chemical toxins or chronic disease.

 

Researchers from the University of Texas, found that mice that lacked a gene called ARID1A have healthier livers than mice who have it. This gene has been previously linked to deadly diseases in humans and rodents.

 

"This research gives us ideas about new ways to treat liver damage or chronic liver disease," said Dr. Hao Zhu.

 

"In humans, the gene ARID1A is mutated in several cancers, including liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer, the list goes on," Dr. Zhu continued.

 

"It is not mutated in every type of cancer, but in a significant number. Those mutations are found in 10 to 20 percent of all cancers, and the mutations render the gene inactive."

When the gene is switched off, the mice were able to replace liver tissue much more quickly.

 

 "The livers were resistant to tissue damage and healed better, which are two good things - like playing offense and defense at the same time," Dr. Zhu added.

 

"These results opened up a whole new avenue of investigation for us, and through that investigation we found a new function for this gene."