Vitamin B3 Shows Promise in Combating Fatty Liver Disease

MiR-93 promotes fatty liver disease,but vitamin B3 can counteract its effects. This discovery suggests a new treatment approach.

Roughly 30% of people worldwide are affected by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), a condition that until recently lacked targeted therapies. In an critically important breakthrough, scientists have identified a genetic factor that worsens the disease, and notably, the FDA-approved compound shown to be most effective against this factor is vitamin B3.

A global first was achieved by a collaborative research group led by Professor Jang Hyun Choi of the Department of Life Sciences at UNIST, together with professor Hwayoung yun from the College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Growth at Pusan National University (PNU) and Professor Neung Hwa Park from Ulsan University Hospital (UUH). Thier work revealed the critical role of microRNA-93 (miR-93), a molecule expressed in the liver, as a genetic regulator influencing the onset and progression of MASLD.

Role of miR-93 in liver function

MiR-93 is a type of Vitamin B3 as a potential treatment

Crucially, the researchers found that nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, effectively inhibits miR-93. In laboratory studies using both cell cultures and animal models, nicotinamide treatment significantly reduced miR-93 levels, improved PNPLA3 function, and decreased liver fat accumulation. This suggests that vitamin B3 could be a promising therapeutic agent for MASLD.

“Our findings provide a new understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying MASLD and identify vitamin B3 as a potential drug candidate,” says Professor Choi.”Because nicotinamide is already an FDA-approved drug with a well-established safety profile, it could be rapidly translated into clinical trials for the treatment of fatty liver disease.”

Future Directions

The research team is now planning clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nicotinamide in patients with MASLD. They are also investigating the potential of other compounds that can inhibit miR-93 as potential therapeutic agents.

Key Takeaways

• Approximately 30% of the global population is affected by MASLD.
• Researchers identified miR-93 as a key genetic regulator in the development of MASLD.
• miR-93 suppresses the PNPLA3 gene, leading to increased fat accumulation in the liver.
• Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) effectively inhibits miR-93, improving liver function.
• Vitamin B3 shows promise as a potential treatment for MASLD due to its existing FDA approval and safety profile.