Identification of the mechanism of the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in sex hormone deficiency in men

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18011
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54040:Metabolism and endocrinology-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Senmaru Takafumi 京都府立医科大学, 医学部附属病院, 専攻医 (20637889)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: NASH / 性ホルモン / 自然免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with testosterone deficiency. NAFLD patients generally do not respond to treatment with testosterone alone. In animal studies, treatment with testosterone and estrogen reduced the ratios of ILC2:CD45 and ILC3:CD45 and increased M2 macrophages in liver. Our study suggests, based on our immunological data, that a combination of estrogen and testosterone may be clinically relevant for the treatment of NAFLD in patients with male menopause.

Free Research Field

内分泌・代謝

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

性腺機能低下によるNASHの治療にはテストステロン、エストロゲン併用療法が有用であるだけではなく、性腺機能低下におけるインスリン抵抗性や慢性炎症を改善させることにより、肥満や糖尿病などの生活習慣病の改善にも寄与する可能性が示唆された。