Did the “Good cholesterol” get even better?

Avani Dave, Jai Hind College

The good cholesterol has stood up to the prefix given to it as researchers claim it’s added advantages. In addition to the existing features of good cholesterol, it is now known to be associated with improved liver health. HDL is traditionally known for absorbing cholesterol and delivering it to the liver, assisting in reducing the excess cholesterol from accumulating in the arteries. On receiving the cholesterol, the liver eliminates it from the body, preventing an excess build-up. 

The recent study

A recent study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis was published in the Journal Science. This study conducted on mice indicated that a particular type of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), denoted as HDL3 whose role was not known initially but is recently registered to help in protecting the liver from potential injury. The HDL3 produced in the intestine demonstrated its novel role in protecting the liver by blocking several inflammatory signals (lipopolysaccharide molecules) produced by common gut bacteria. In the absence of HDL3, the signals originating from the intestine reach the liver via the portal vein and bring about the activation of immune cells which causes an unnecessary inflammatory response. Such recurrent immune responses ultimately lead to liver damage like fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis. 

Relationship between intestinal surgery and liver disease

According to Randolph (Author of the study) literature mildly indicated that HDL might interact in the detection of lipopolysaccharides by immune cells and that the presence of lipopolysaccharide receptors could be linked to liver disease. During the research, they utilized a tool from their lab that could track the path followed by HDL from different organs. This helped them to visualize the movement of HDL3 through the portal vein directly to the liver. While in the portal vein, HDL3 was seen to bind to a lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), this complex further binds to the harmful lipopolysaccharide preventing it from activating immune cells i.e., Kupffer cells thereby averting a potential inflammatory response. Yong-Hyun Han (first author & faculty of Kangwon National University, South Korea) said that, in the absence of HDL3, the LBP can not efficiently block the lipopolysaccharides from triggering an immune response. Thus, explaining why intestinal surgery leads to an aggravated chance of procuring a liver disease. The lesser the HDL3, the more the risk of developing a liver illness.

The conclusion

This study showed the presence of the same protective molecular complexes in human blood samples, pointing towards an identical mechanism. A specific drug was utilized to increase the amount of HDL3 in the mice, which showed positive results. This opens a new arena of prevention and treatment of liver disease, irrespective of the underlying cause being damage to the intestine by high-fat diets, alcohol overuse, or some physical injury. While the research continues for a more detailed comprehension, we hope this opens new doors of improved liver health in the future.

Also read : The role of pre-capture multiplexing in exome sequencing

Source: “Good cholesterol” protects the liver from inflammation and injury, study shows. (2021, July 22). News-Medical.Net. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210722/Good-cholesterol-protects-the-liver-from-inflammation-and-injury-study-shows.aspx

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About the Author: Avani Dave is currently in the final year of her bachelor’s degree, majoring in Life Sciences. Holding a good academic and extra-curricular record, she is on a constant journey of acquiring exposure in her field of interest while simultaneously not limiting herself to just that. Avani likes studying Diseases and Syndromes and everything under this umbrella! That being said, she is adept at working across departments and promises to deliver.