Researchers Probe Connection between Liver Function and Obesity

When it comes to ducks, a fatty liver is desirable -- in fact, this plumped-up organ serves as the basis for the rich delicacy known in foodie circles as foie gras. However, when it comes to humans, this increasingly common disease can lead to a whole host of health problems.

Fatty liver is a disorder that occurs after years of insulin resistance limit the liver's ability to process fats effectively. In some cases, it is the result of alcoholism, while in other instances, it is related to obesity and an imbalanced diet.

One consequence of the obesity epidemic that has swept through the United States and other industrialized nations in recent years is a related outbreak of fatty liver disease. Once rare, this obesity-related disorder is now diagnosed with increasing frequency, sometimes even occurring in children and young adults.

The sharp increase in cases of obesity-related fatty liver disease has focused researchers' attention on the relationship between obesity and liver function. This week, we'll take a look at the results of three recent studies that assessed the connection between body weight and liver health, with a particular focus on the devastating effects of fatty liver disease.

Anti-Obesity Drug May Help Reverse Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease

As researchers probe the connection between fatty liver disease and obesity, some teams have begun to explore the possibility of treatment regimens that could be effective against both of these conditions simultaneously. According to the results of a study published in a recent volume of the journal Hepatology, the anti-obesity drug rimonabant just might fit the bill.

In the study, the drug rimonabant was administered to several groups of obese rats. According to the scientists, the drug reduced obesity as expected, but it also markedly decreased several major signs of obesity-related liver disorder. Specifically, the rats that took rimonabant showed improved lipid profiles, decreased levels of pro-inflammatory proteins, and an overall decline in liver damage.

At the current juncture, numerous problems exist with anti-obesity treatment regimens based on rimonabant. Many human research participants have reported troubling side effects from the drug, such as nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. However, the authors expressed confidence that with some fine-tuning, rimonabant may emerge as an effective anti-obesity treatment that protects against and even reverses liver damage, as well.

Scientists Seek Deeper Understanding of Obesity-Related Liver Disorders

Using one of the world's largest collection of human liver tissue samples and a massive electronic health database, researchers at the Weis Center for Research, the Center for Health Research, the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management are working together to solve the problem of obesity-related fatty liver disease.

The incidence of the debilitating disease has increased considerably over the last several decades, an outgrowth of the staggering rates of obesity and overweight facing the United States and other developed nations. Despite the significant health damage that fatty liver disease can cause, the disorder often has few symptoms in the early stages of development, when treatment is most effective.

In order to stem the tide of undiagnosed cases of obesity-related liver disorders, the team has developed a number of simple diagnostic tests that can be used to quickly and easily screen patients' liver health and function. One test that has been developed is a simple blood test. When refined, it is hoped that the relatively simple test will represent a significant step forward from the current diagnostic procedure, which involves a costly and time-consuming liver biopsy.

Low-Glycemic Diet May Protect Against Fatty Liver, Obesity

In the aftermath of the low-carb craze, a more sensible version of the concept is beginning to be endorsed by more scientists, researchers, and medical professionals. The low-glycemic index diet emphasizes the selection of foods based on their glycemic impact -- in other words, how much and how quickly they raise the blood sugar.

In the span of just a few short years, a large number of studies have uncovered benefits associated with the low-glycemic index way of eating. The results of a recent investigation undertaken by scientists at the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children's Hospital in Boston seems to suggest that the diet may also reduce and/or reverse the signs of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The study compared the liver health of mice fed low-GI and high-GI diets. At the end of a six-month experiment, the two groups weighed the same amount, but the mice that had been fed high-glycemic diets had much higher levels of fat in their bloodstreams, bodies, and livers. Although the results have yet to be confirmed in a human population, these findings could represent a breakthrough in the fight against obesity-related fatty liver disease.

If you're concerned about the health impacts of obesity-related fatty liver disease, talk to your doctor about a personalized risk assessment. Don't forget to check back each week for the breaking research news you need to succeed on your weight loss journey.