Senescent Cells as a Cause of Age-Related Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease, or hepatic steatosis, is both age-related and self-inflicted in the sense that in most sufferers the primary cause appears to be the metabolic dysfunction that accompanies obesity, but the risk also rises with age, and even an exemplary life can sometimes eventually result in the appearance of this condition. Chronic inflammation may play an important role in the development of fatty liver disease without obesity, and whenever that it is the case it is sensible to immediately turn to the age-related accumulation of senescent cells as a potential contributing mechanism, as these cells are a potent source of inflammatory signals. The researchers here do just that, and in the course of their work demonstrate that senescent cells are in fact an important cause of the problem, just as they are for many other age-related conditions. This is good news for patients with fatty liver disease, and those destined to be patients absent an effective treatment, given the present pace of progress towards senolytic therapies capable of safely and selectively destroying these unwanted and harmful cells. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excess hepatic fat (steatosis) in individuals who drink little or no alcohol. NAFLD is more prevalent in older populations. The mechanisms underlying this condition are not understood nor is why its prevalence increases with ageing. It has been speculated that ageing processes may promote NAFLD via diffe...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs