Elucidation of Extracellular Vesicles Contributing Liver and Muscle Linkage

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08326
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Kamimura Hiroteru 新潟大学, 医歯学総合病院, 講師 (40706420)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 寺井 崇二 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 教授 (00332809) ; 土屋 淳紀 新潟大学, 医歯学総合病院, 講師 (70464005)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 肝硬変 / サルコペニア / 老化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We searched for markers of early detection associated with sarcopenia in a mouse model of liver cirrhosis. Since it had been reported that spontaneous locomotion using a rotating cage suppressed hepatic carcinogenesis, we measured changes in liver tissue, fibrosis markers, muscle strength, muscle tissue, myokine, and extracellular vesicles over a short period of time using a rotating cage spontaneous locomotion measuring device in a cirrhotic mouse model. For myokine, multiplex assay analysis was performed on serum and direct muscle to identify key factors in the inter-organ system that contribute to the improvement of liver function by rehabilitation. We aim to identify key factors involved in the organ systems that contribute to the improvement of liver function by exercise rehabilitation.

Free Research Field

肝臓

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

肝硬変はB型肝炎、C型肝炎、脂肪肝、アルコール摂取などが主な原因で長期に肝臓が障害を受け、徐々に線維化が進み、非代償性肝硬変（黄疸、腹水、肝性脳症）になる。また長期的には肝細胞癌などを来す致死的な疾患で、日本に患者さんは40万人程度存在する。また肝硬変患者の高齢化もすすんできて、10-70%がサルコペニアを合併している。本研究結果をもとに、学会内でのリハビリテーション委員会を立ち上げ、市民公開講座開催予定して、臨床的還元を狙っている。