All Institutions
Search all resources
Search for entire words only
Projects

Understanding the contribution of iron overload in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: identification of cellular players and potential molecular therapeutic targets

IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology
Project classification

Scientific area

3.1 Basic medicine

Discipline(s)

Pathology

Project description

Project title

Understanding the contribution of iron overload in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: identification of cellular players and potential molecular therapeutic targets

Scientific Coordinator's name:

Tiago Duarte

Scientific Coordinator's e-mail:

tduarte@ibmc.up.pt

Principal R&D Unit:

Iron and Innate Immunity

Other R&D Units involved in the project:

.

Project keyword(s)

iron, liver, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis

Short abstract and comments

In western countries, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to affect 20-30 per cent of the general population. It starts with the relatively benign accumulation of lipids in the hepatocyte. In some patients, steatosis can progress to the more severe non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired liver function (cirrhosis). Potential aggravating factors in NAFLD are the excessive hepatic iron accumulation that is frequently seen in NAFLD patients or the failure of hepatocytes to synthesize sufficient endogenous antioxidants. Using animal (mouse) models of iron overload and steatotic liver, this work is aimed at understanding the contribution of iron to inflammation/fibrosis in the steatotic liver and at testing whether pharmacological manipulation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway (a coordinator of the cellular antioxidant response) may represent a valid therapeutic approach to prevent/delay this condition.

Potential uses/indications

This project will help clarify the effect of iron-overload in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and will highlight the significant cell mediators. In addition, this multifaceted study may help indicate new therapeutic targets for NAFLD, initially at the experimental level. The impact of the study's results will positively influence the field of NAFLD/NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) pathogenesis.

Status

Ongoing

Partner Status: Seeking Partners?

Yes

Grant number (QREN, FP7, Eureka, etc)

PTDC/BIM-MET/0739/2012

Last edited on

2013-01-31 16:04:05

Health Cluster Portugal All rights reserved
© 2024 Health Cluster Portugal All rights reserved
seara.com
QREN