Scientists finally reveal the hidden mechanism that connects alcohol to the fatty liver

The researchers found that exposure to excessive alcohol changes an important enzyme that recycles damaged proteins.

How the liver works

The liver is the primary filter for everything you consume. Liver cells, or liver cells support the function of this giant organ by launching dozens of different proteins while collecting, sorting and recycling everything that passes through this huge organ that is almost similar to the sieve. The fat coming from the intestine is absorbed, for example, and then stored in liver cells such as fat drops, which are spherical structures that store fat. The body can use these fat drops as an energy source, especially during fasting periods. However, many fat drops can lead to fatty liver disease.

The researchers found that the key lies in an important enzyme called Valossin protein (VCP). VCP plays a role in many important processes including recycling unwanted proteins and is found in cells throughout the body.

“We were surprised by the VCP vision that removes a specific protein from the surface of the fat drop.” Cell Biology Magazine.

In people who do not suffer from fatty liver disease, the enzyme, VCP, seems to keep protein, HSD17β13, in examination to prevent fat drops from excessive drawing in liver cells.

However, researchers found that exposure to excessive alcohol removes almost entirely from the surface of the fat drop, allowing HSD17β13 large accumulation.

The researchers also saw and seized the complex recycling mechanism of VCP. They have seen VCP working with Chaperone protein to provide damaged proteins to a organic organism, which broke unwanted proteins.

“It was amazing to see this. We have tried many experiences to confirm what we were seeing, and each result directs the VCP HSD17β13 from the drop of lipids to the ligosum,” says Sandhya Sen, a Mayo Clinic research colleague.

Dr. McKenvin says their results mean that HSD17β13 is a goal for possible new treatments to prevent or treat fatty liver disease.

“This study increases our understanding of the biology of fat drops, the central vicinity of the fatty liver, and how the liver cells work in an attempt to reduce its fat content,” says Dr. McKenvin. “It can also help predict patients exposed to the harmful effect of excessive alcohol consumption on their liver if this cellular system is at risk.”

This research is part of a larger Mayo Clinic effort called the Precure initiative that focuses on developing tools that enable doctors to predict biological processes and intercede before it develops into illness or progressing into complex conditions that are difficult to treat.

See the study for a full list of authors, disclosure and financing.