Study into Rare Forms of Steatotic Liver Disease
Study code
NBR229
Lead researcher
Dr Tessa Cacciottolo
Study type
Participant re-contact
Institution or company
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust; MRC as part of UKRI; and Cambridge University Hospitals
Researcher type
Academic
Speciality area
Liver, Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders
Summary
Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD), also known as Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), is a condition characterised by excess fat accumulation in the liver. While people with obesity or diabetes are at higher risk of developing SLD, individuals with a lower body mass index (BMI) can also be affected. The biological mechanisms which cause SLD are not yet well understood.
The processes involved in storing and releasing liver fat in a healthy balance is carefully controlled by genes in the body.
The aim of this study is to find out which genes help liver cells manage fat metabolism —and what happens when this process goes wrong.
As part of the study, lean volunteers from the NIHR BioResource NAFLD cohort will stay overnight at the NIHR Imperial Clinical Research Facility (ICRF). During their visit, participants will have tests to measure how much fat is in their liver. They will also have genetic tests to look for new genes that may affect how fat is stored in the liver and how these genes might contribute to SLD when they don’t work properly.
This research could help develop new medicines that target the genes involved in SLD, potentially helping many people in the future.