Study on the Mechanisms of Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (MASH) via Regulation of the “Gut-Liver Axis” Published in an SCIE International Journal / Professor Kwak Min-Jin (Department of Biotechnology)
- 26.04.10 / 홍유민
Professor Kwak Min-Jin of the Department of Forestry and Biotechnology at Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) has published research findings in the prestigious international pharmaceutical journal *Pharmacological Research* (IF=10.5, ranked 13th out of 352 in the PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY category, top 3.6%, Q1).
Fatty liver disease caused by metabolic imbalance is on the rise worldwide, and fatty liver inflammation, in particular, is considered a stage requiring active management before it progresses to cirrhosis or liver cancer. However, existing diagnostic methods rely on invasive procedures such as liver biopsy, and there has been a growing need for accurate, non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on the interaction between the gut microbiome and the liver. Starting from this awareness, this study specifically elucidated the mechanisms underlying the gut-liver axis.
Using animal models, the research team conducted a longitudinal analysis to track changes in the roles of specific gut microbes during the progression of MASH. The results showed that Romboutsia hominis increases as the disease progresses and exacerbates hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation through the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) signaling pathway. In contrast, Akkermansia muciniphila and EVs derived from this strain were shown to reduce hepatic fat accumulation by suppressing the expression of genes related to lipid synthesis.
The research team also developed a machine learning-based diagnostic model that combines gut microbiota data with blood data, demonstrating the potential to non-invasively screen for MASH with over 90% accuracy. This is significant as it could be expanded into next-generation diagnostic services for managing liver health using stool or blood samples. Furthermore, this study holds great academic value in demonstrating that EVs released by gut bacteria can cross the intestinal barrier and directly regulate liver metabolism, going beyond the bacteria themselves.
This achievement is significant in that it precisely interprets the association between the gut microbiome and liver disease and proposes a new approach that targets both diagnosis and treatment simultaneously. Kookmin University plans to continue contributing to the advancement of disease diagnosis and treatment technologies based on basic and convergent research in the bio-health field.
▲Photo: Professor Kwak Min-Jin, Department of Forest and Bioengineering, Kookmin University
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Study on the Mechanisms of Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (MASH) via Regulation of the “Gut-Liver Axis” Published in an SCIE International Journal / Professor Kwak Min-Jin (Department of Biotechnology) |
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Professor Kwak Min-Jin of the Department of Forestry and Biotechnology at Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) has published research findings in the prestigious international pharmaceutical journal *Pharmacological Research* (IF=10.5, ranked 13th out of 352 in the PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY category, top 3.6%, Q1). Fatty liver disease caused by metabolic imbalance is on the rise worldwide, and fatty liver inflammation, in particular, is considered a stage requiring active management before it progresses to cirrhosis or liver cancer. However, existing diagnostic methods rely on invasive procedures such as liver biopsy, and there has been a growing need for accurate, non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on the interaction between the gut microbiome and the liver. Starting from this awareness, this study specifically elucidated the mechanisms underlying the gut-liver axis. Using animal models, the research team conducted a longitudinal analysis to track changes in the roles of specific gut microbes during the progression of MASH. The results showed that Romboutsia hominis increases as the disease progresses and exacerbates hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation through the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) signaling pathway. In contrast, Akkermansia muciniphila and EVs derived from this strain were shown to reduce hepatic fat accumulation by suppressing the expression of genes related to lipid synthesis. The research team also developed a machine learning-based diagnostic model that combines gut microbiota data with blood data, demonstrating the potential to non-invasively screen for MASH with over 90% accuracy. This is significant as it could be expanded into next-generation diagnostic services for managing liver health using stool or blood samples. Furthermore, this study holds great academic value in demonstrating that EVs released by gut bacteria can cross the intestinal barrier and directly regulate liver metabolism, going beyond the bacteria themselves. This achievement is significant in that it precisely interprets the association between the gut microbiome and liver disease and proposes a new approach that targets both diagnosis and treatment simultaneously. Kookmin University plans to continue contributing to the advancement of disease diagnosis and treatment technologies based on basic and convergent research in the bio-health field.
▲Photo: Professor Kwak Min-Jin, Department of Forest and Bioengineering, Kookmin University
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