Citrus compound reverses some signs of liver aging in older mice
The liver is a jack-of-all-trades and a master of all. From removing harmful substances and secreting bile to metabolizing proteins, carbohydrates and fats and managing the immune system, the liver does it all. As we age, liver cells undergo major structural changes, making the body prone to metabolic liver diseases such as fatty liver and inflammation, which, over time, can increase the risk of…
A new study reveals that a compound found naturally in citrus fruits, hesperetin, can reverse some signs of liver aging in older mice. The liver is a vital organ responsible for many crucial functions, including metabolizing substances, detoxification, and immune control. As we age, liver cells undergo significant structural changes, leading to metabolic liver diseases and an increased risk of liver cancer.
Researchers found that hesperetin, when given to naturally aged mice, increased levels of a protective gene called Cisd2, which, together with its partners Hmgcs2 and Pparα, forms a molecular pathway that controls liver aging. This treatment restored the liver's molecular profile, reversing about 24% of the age-linked gene-expression changes.
The findings, published in npj Aging, suggest that hesperetin could potentially be used as a treatment for fatty liver disease in older adults.
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