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High-Fat Diets Linked to Increased Liver Cancer Risk, MIT Study Finds
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Published December 23, 2023, at 14:51 EST. updated December 23, 2023, at 14:51 EST.
High-Fat Diet Promotes Liver Cell Regression
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of technology (MIT) has revealed a significant link between high-fat diets and an increased risk of developing liver cancer. The research, published in December 2023, identifies a mechanism by which a high-fat diet makes the liver more vulnerable to cancerous changes, solidifying its position as a major risk factor for this disease.
The study found that when exposed to a high-fat diet, mature liver cells undergo a process of reversion to an immature, stem cell-like state. This adaptation allows the cells to better survive the stressful conditions created by the dietary overload. However,this survival strategy comes at a cost: it substantially increases the likelihood of these cells eventually transforming into cancerous cells.
“If cells are forced to deal with a stressor, such as a high-fat diet, over and over again, they will do things that will help them survive, but at the risk of increasing their susceptibility to tumors,” explained a researcher involved in the study, as reported by Yemeni News.
identifying Key Enzymes and Transcription factors
The MIT team identified specific molecular players involved in this process. One key enzyme,HMGCS2,was found to be activated by the high-fat diet. Interestingly, a drug targeting HMGCS2 is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of fatty liver disease, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue. HMGCS2 (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase 2) is crucial in ketone body synthesis,and its activation in the liver under high-fat conditions is a key finding.
Further investigation revealed another potential target: a transcription factor called SOX4. Normally, SOX4 is active onyl during fetal growth and in a limited number of adult tissues, but not the liver. The study showed that a high-fat diet triggers SOX4 activation in liver cells, contributing to the shift towards a more primitive state.
Future Research Directions
The researchers are now focused on exploring whether the detrimental effects of a high-fat diet can be reversed.They plan to investigate the impact of returning to a normal diet and the potential benefits of weight-loss medications, specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptor agonists
