Another cause of cirrhosis

Intestinal bacteria are involved in the development of liver damage under the influence of alcohol

Copper news 

It is known that one of the serious factors contributing to liver damage is alcohol. The results of a new study indicate that intestinal bacteria play a significant role in the development of chronic liver disease. Such conclusions were reached by scientists from the University of California, led by Bernd Schnabl.

They showed that alcohol inhibits the production of proteins REG3B and REG3G, which are produced by cells lining the intestinal walls and have antibacterial properties. Suppression of the production of these proteins under the influence of alcohol leads to increased bacterial growth, their number increases, they enter the liver, where they contribute to the development of damage.

A drawing from an article by Wang et al. Intestinal REG3 Lectins Protect against Alcoholic Steatohepatitis by Reducing Mucosa-Associated Microbiota and Preventing Bacterial Translocation, published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe; a short retelling can be read in the University of California, San Diego press release “Alcohol Also Damages the Liver by Allowing Bacteria to Infiltrate” - VM.

The authors conducted a series of experiments on mice deprived of REG3G. The lack of expression of this protein led to an increase in the number of intestinal bacteria and more severe liver damage under the influence of alcohol. The increased level of REG3G production contributed to a decrease in the number of microorganisms in the intestine and protected the liver from damage. In people suffering from alcohol addiction, the number of bacteria in the intestine was also increased.

Researchers believe that drugs that cause an increase in REG3G expression will help protect the liver from the destructive effects of alcohol.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru 11.02.2015