Researchers identify method to reverse liver cell aging
A study from the University of Southern California demonstrates that restoring liver cell function may offer a new path for treating Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have reported that an experimental drug reversed indicators of aging in liver cells during animal testing. The findings, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, showed a 50 percent reduction in Alzheimer-linked proteins in the bloodstream of rats, alongside improved cholesterol profiles comparable to younger subjects.
The study suggests that the liver's role in filtering blood and regulating systemic health is critical to managing age-related decline. As liver cells lose efficiency over time, their ability to process harmful substances diminishes, potentially exacerbating diseases in distant organs. By restoring this filtration capacity, researchers believe they may mitigate some of the health impacts associated with aging.
Lead researcher Sam de Leve noted that the findings suggest significant potential in targeting the liver to address complex diseases. Corresponding author Laurie DeLeve cautioned that while the results correlate with existing epidemiological data linking liver damage to Alzheimer’s and atherosclerosis, further translational research is necessary to develop viable clinical therapies.