Researchers Test Compound that Protects Liver from Damage After Small Bowel Resection

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis tested a new compound in mice that shows promise in protecting the liver from damage after a radical small bowel resection.

A small bowel resection takes place when parts of the small intestine need to be removed. The procedure can “lead to long-term liver damage or even failure, requiring a liver transplant. There are no medications to prevent or manage this serious complication that’s been reported to affect up to 15% of patients after small bowel resection.” Infants are often treated with this procedure when they suffer from necrotizing enterocolitis, which can result in “short bowel syndrome, a condition characterized by shortened intestines and difficulty absorbing nutrients.” This increases the chance for liver problems later in life.

Past studies show that a harmful substance made by gut bacteria is responsible for the damage, and high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, can act as a “protective shield that prevents gut-derived substances from harming the liver.” This study focused on liver X receptor agonists, drugs that increase production of HDL, restricted to the intestines. The drug improved nutrient absorption and aided in weight gain when administered to mice. It also protected the liver from fibrosis.

Next, the researchers will “look at whether the compound still protects the liver with the added stress of intravenous nutrition, as the long-term use of this feeding method has adverse effects on the liver.”