How Does Dietary Cholesterol Induce Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$802,600.00
Summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease that can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and liver cancer. Dietary cholesterol is a major risk factor for NASH. We can demonstrate that cholesterol changes the gut bacteria. These bacteria generate toxic chemicals (bile acids) that signal to the liver and induce NASH. In this project, we use novel ways to clarify the mechanisms of liver inflammation and test novel therapeutic approaches to reverse it.