The secret weapon of the liver will protect the body from aging
An important role in the aging process belongs to the so–called free radicals - toxic by-products of normal metabolism. However, as the results obtained by Mexican scientists from the Metropolitan Autonomous University have shown, it is not necessary to follow a special diet or take antioxidants in the form of dietary supplements to fight free radicals. To do this, it is enough to increase the production of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a protein synthesized by liver cells.
Hepatocyte growth factor was identified 35 years ago by Japanese researchers. This protein helps to stop and restore the destruction of liver tissue in alcoholic cirrhosis, as well as taking hepatotoxic drugs, such as the antibiotics isoniazid and rifampicin used to treat tuberculosis. Experts have previously suggested that the hepatocyte growth factor has an antioxidant effect, but so far no one has been able to confirm this.
Mexican scientists working under the leadership of Luis Quiroz began their research in 2006 together with specialists from the US National Cancer Institute.
Their experiments on mice showed that hepatocyte growth factor is not an antioxidant as such. Instead, it triggers the mechanisms of synthesis of compounds acting as natural antioxidants, for example, glutathione, a small polypeptide with a pronounced antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect.
Moreover, experiments on a mouse model of liver cirrhosis have shown that at low levels of hepatocyte growth factor, the disease progresses very quickly, whereas in conditions of high concentrations of this protein, its progression is suspended.
According to the authors, hepatocyte growth factor significantly enhances the production of glutathione and other antioxidants not only in the liver, but also in other organs, including the lungs, kidneys and pancreas. They believe that this mechanism can be used as a basis for the development of therapeutic methods to prevent premature aging of the body under the influence of various toxins, including alcohol. In the near future, they plan to search for methods to increase and decrease the production of hepatocyte growth factor in the liver, since, unfortunately, this compound cannot be taken in the form of traditional dosage forms.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on AlphaGalileo materials:
Mexican University discovers effects of liver regenerating protein.
24.10.2013