Growth Hormone and Fatty Liver Disease

Published:March 6th, 2011

 

Scientists at the UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute have recently shown how changes in growth hormone activity can lead to fatty liver disease. Until recently, growth of fat deposits in the liver which are characteristic of the fatty liver disease were considered a result of alcoholism. However, the non-alcoholic version of the disease affects as many as one in four people worldwide.

Previous studies have shown that growth hormone can both cause and cure fatty liver disease. Researchers focused on the JAK2 protein in the liver which has been linked to blood cancers but is also an important chemical pathway in the liver.

The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone which communicates with JAK2 and sets off production of insulin growth factor 1. Disrupting this pathway could stop IGF-1 production and also cause fatty liver disease. The conclusion of the study was that growth hormone signaling pathway is essential in producing IGF-1, mobilizing fat and regulating how fat is taken up by the liver.

---