Scientists in the United States have developed a new drug that can reverse severe fatty liver disease in animals. The drug works in an unusual way: instead of acting directly on the liver, it repairs the gut. By doing so, it stops harmful substances from travelling from the intestines to the liver. The research team says the results are very encouraging and could lead to new treatments for patients in the future.
Fatty liver disease is a common condition in which too much fat builds up inside the liver. In its early stages it causes few symptoms, so many people do not know they have it. However, over time it can damage the organ seriously and may even lead to liver failure. In serious cases, patients may need a liver transplant, which is a major operation. Doctors believe that poor diet, obesity and a damaged gut all play a part in the illness.
In the new study, the researchers gave the drug to mice with severe fatty liver disease. After a period of treatment, the fat in their livers had clearly fallen, and the damaged tissue began to recover. The scientists found that the drug works by strengthening the wall of the gut. As a result, harmful substances that would normally enter the blood and reach the liver were blocked, and the liver was able to heal itself.
The discovery may be important for more than liver disease. Because the drug improves the health of the whole body's digestive system, it might also help prevent other serious conditions, such as heart disease. Experts say this shows how closely the gut and other organs are connected, and it may change the way doctors think about treatment.
However, the results come from animal experiments, not from people. A treatment that works in mice does not always work in humans, and the drug must still be tested in large clinical trials. Scientists also need to check whether it is safe when it is taken for a long time. For now, people should focus on a healthy diet and regular exercise to protect their liver.
| 单词 | 英文释义 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| reverse/rɪˈvɜːs/ v. | to make an illness or a bad situation go back to the way it was before; to change something completely | Doctors hope the new therapy can reverse the damage caused by the illness. |
| gut/ɡʌt/ n. | the stomach and intestines; the digestive system of the body | A healthy gut helps the body take in nutrients from food. |
| condition/kənˈdɪʃn/ n. | an illness or a medical problem that a person has | Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects millions of people. |
| symptom/ˈsɪmptəm/ n. | a physical sign that shows you have an illness | A high temperature is a common symptom of flu. |
| obesity/əʊˈbiːsəti/ n. | the condition of being extremely overweight in a way that is bad for health | Poor diet and a lack of exercise are major causes of obesity. |
| strengthen/ˈstreŋθn/ v. | to make something stronger or more powerful | Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles and protect your heart. |
| block/blɒk/ v. | to stop something from moving or passing through | This medicine blocks the pain signals that reach the brain. |
| recover/rɪˈkʌvə(r)/ v. | to become healthy or strong again after an illness or injury | It took him three weeks to recover from the operation. |
| clinical trial/ˈklɪnɪkl ˈtraɪəl/ phrase | a scientific test in which a new medicine is given to people to see if it is safe and works well | The vaccine was tested in a large clinical trial before it was used. |
| encouraging/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒɪŋ/ adj. | making you feel more confident and hopeful about something | The first results of the study are very encouraging. |
| play a part in/pleɪ ə pɑːt ɪn/ phrase | to be one of the reasons why something happens | Stress and poor sleep can play a part in heart disease. |
| digestive/daɪˈdʒestɪv/ adj. | connected with the process of breaking down food in the body | Fibre is very good for the digestive system. |