Uncovering the Connection Between Fatty Liver Disease and COVID-19

Highlights:

COVID-19 raises the risk of fatty liver disease, while fatty liver disease raises the severity of COVID-19
MBOAT7, a gene, has been linked to the severity of both metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease and COVID-19
Disruption of MBOAT7 worsens liver disease and COVID-19 symptoms

Researchers discovered that COVID-19 worsens the fatty liver disease, which in turn worsens the risk of COVID-19.

Dr. Jawaher Alharthi of the Westmead Institute for Medical Research at the University of Sydney, Australia, and her colleagues discovered how COVID-19 increases the risk of fatty liver disease and how the latter increases the severity of COVID-19, allowing for the development of potential treatments for these patients.

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‘MBOAT7 gene alteration may ‘pre-program’ the cell epigenome and prime it to respond harshly to even mild activation of COVID-19, and it can also result in increased liver damage.’

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What is Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease

MAFLD (metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease) affects one in every four adults and nearly one in every ten children worldwide. MAFLD is the most common type of chronic liver disease worldwide.

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Liver Disease is a Silent Killer

Most people are unaware they have the liver disease until it has progressed to the point, where they develop liver scarring, cirrhosis, and, in severe cases, liver failure, and fatal malignancy. However, its complications are not restricted to liver disease. It is linked to several other cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

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COVID-19 Infection Increases Inflammation

The host (humans) mounts an immunological response in reaction to COVID-19, the delicate balance of which affects the course of sickness. Severe COVID-19 is linked to heightened immunological and hyperinflammatory responses, and inflammatory macrophages can cause a cytokine storm that causes tissue damage.

A recent study conducted by Westmead Institute for Medical Research University of Sydney researchers identified how COVID-19 promotes the likelihood of fatty liver disease and how it worsens COVID-19, assisting in the development of possible treatments for these patients.

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Mysterious Relationship Between Fatty Liver Disease and COVID-19

Dr. Jawaher Alharthi, the first author of the study, said, “The relationship between fatty liver disease and COVID-19 is considered a bit of a mystery, as we do not know how and why both diseases increase the risk of each other. Our research team led by Professor Mohammed Eslam conducted a large and detailed genetic and molecular study and identified that a gene called MBOAT7 is associated with the severity of both MAFLD and COVID-19. This gene plays an important role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses to COVID-19. A disruption in the activity of the MBOAT7 gene could increase the chances of increased cytokines production and tissue damage and liver disease.”

The epigenome is a collection of markers that control not just gene expression but also genes themselves, and it is influenced by the environment, food, and hormones.

“Interestingly, we also identified that disruption of MBOAT7 may ‘preprogram’ the cell epigenome and prime it to respond severely to even a weak stimulation upon COVID-19 that ultimately increases tissue damage.”

Source-Medindia