The natural compound called indole in many vegetables could cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and othersCombat fatty liver disease. A new study conducted by scientists at Texas A&M AgriLife Research shows how medicine can use this ingredient, present in many varieties, to combat such diseases.
Possible cure for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
The study shows how non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be combated with indole. It is a natural compound found in gut bacteria and in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Scientists are also exploring how indole may lead to new treatments or preventive measures against a diseased liver.
NAFLD occurs when the liver becomes “marbled” with fat. This is sometimes due to an unhealthy diet, such as excessive saturated fat intake. If left unchecked, it can lead to life-threatening liver disease, including cirrhosis or liver cancer. However, many different factors contribute to this.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occursPeople with obesityseven to ten times more common than in the general population. In addition, obesity causes inflammation in the body. This inflammation is caused by macrophages, types of white blood cells that normally fight infections. This inflammation worsens liver damage in patients with liver disease.
Gut bacteria can also have a positive or negative impact on the progression of fatty liver disease. These bacteria produce many different compounds, one of which is indole. Nutritionists have identified this product of the amino acid tryptophan as likely to have preventive and therapeutic effects for people with NAFLD.
Multistage study of fatty liver disease
The present study examined the impact of indole concentration on humans, animal models, and single cells to determine its effects on liver inflammation and the potential benefits for people with NAFLD. Above all, this examined the extent to which indole alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as the results about intestinal bacteria, intestinal inflammation and liver inflammation. So researchers wanted to find out how this substance improves fatty liver disease in animal models.
In 137 subjects, the research team discovered that people with a higher body mass index tended to have less indole in their blood. In addition, levels were significantly lower in patients with clinical obesity than in those who were considered lean. Those with lower levels of indole also had higher fat deposition in the liver. This finding will likely have implications for other ethnicities, the researchers noted. However, ethnic background may have some influence on gut bacterial populations and exact metabolite levels.
The study authorshope to collaborate with food scientists and clinical nutritionists in future research to investigate which healthy foods can alter gut flora and increase indole production.
