Breakthrough research could prevent sugar-induced liver disease

Fructose causes liver toxicity by changing the barrier function of the intestine, an international team of researchers that includes Monash University academics has found.

The surprise discovery, which contradicts previous thinking on the subject, could lead to new ways to protect the liver from numerous life-threatening diseases.

The study, published in August 2020 in Nature Metabolism, shows that fructose affects the liver only after it causes intestinal barrier disruption.

Treatments that prevent barrier disruption, therefore, could protect the liver from fructose-induced diseases. Adding a cell-signalling protein called ‘tumor necrosis factor’ (TNF) to hepatocytes stimulates the metabolism of fructose, and increases production of the enzymes that convert the molecule ‘acetyl CoA’ to fatty acids.

Leading Australian metabolic disease expert, Professor Mark Febbraio from Monash’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, was part of the team. He said,

It’s clear fructose does its damage in the intestine, and, if intestinal barrier deterioration is prevented, it does little harm to the liver.

The study demonstrates that maintaining gut barrier integrity is vital in treating liver disease associated with high fructose consumption.