Cause of fatty liver condition determined

Published: Sept. 11, 2008 at 3:15 PM

HEIDELBERG, Germany, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- German scientists say they have determined what conditions cause the body to deposit fat in the liver, possible leading to a fatty liver condition.

Scientists have known the body's own glucocorticoid hormones, such as cortisol, promote the development of fatty liver. Long-term cortisone therapies such as those used for asthma and other chronic inflammatory diseases also cause the triglyceride level in the liver to rise to dangerous levels.

Now Assistant Professor Stephan Herzig at the German Cancer Research Center and his team have discovered the mechanism by which the body's own glucocorticoid hormones contribute to the disruption of the lipid metabolism.

"We have discovered a key mechanism here that plays a crucial role in many pathologic metabolic disorders," said Herzig. "It has been obvious for some time that there is an association between the body's own cortisol or therapeutically administered cortisone and the development of fatty liver. Now we also know what the interconnections look like at a molecular level."

The research is detailed in the journal Cell Metabolism.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
FHA may be headed toward a bailout (8 min)
Discount airlines gaining an edge (54 min)
Retail sales slightly down in the week (54 min)
NASA releases unique view of the Milky Way
Ants can attack trees to make housing
Study: Genomes can vary by region
UPI NewsTrack Business
fark
If you're a cop it's probably best not to wait three days to send a runaway home. You might just...
Not news: Woman buys $300 worth of stuff from Menards. Still not news: They don't charge her for...
Possible hostage situation in Jefferson City, MO government building. Information is sparse, but...
In honor of the Marine Corps birthday here is a list of notable Marines. Jonathan Winters? Really?...
Apparently, more people will want to buy a product that is offered at a cheaper price compared to...
Rubber baby buggy bummer