Elucidation of new target molecules preventing obesity-related liver carcinogenesis

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460988
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Gastroenterology
• Research Institution: Gifu University
• Principal Investigator: SHIMIZU MASAHITO 岐阜大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (90402198)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Shiraki Makoto 岐阜大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (60402195)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 肥満 / 糖尿病 / 肝発癌抑制 / 非アルコール性脂肪肝炎 / 生活習慣病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies affected by obesity. Our study indicates the possibility that pharmaceutical and nutraceutical agents, such as pentoxifylline, sodium alginate, metformin and astaxanthin, for targeting and restoring metabolic disorders, especially activation of renin-angiotensin system, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, may be an effective strategy for preventing the development of obesity-, diabetes- and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related HCC and improving the prognosis of this malignancy.
Our study also shows the evidence that sarcopenia (the loss of skeletal muscle mass) is significantly involved in mortality in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis especially who have obese. Therefore, prevention of sarcopenia might be associated with improved survival of such patients.

Free Research Field

消化器病学