Duke Researchers Discover Method to Reverse Liver Aging Using Innovative Drug

Researchers at Duke Health have identified a promising method to counteract liver aging, potentially reversing damage caused by factors like stress, poor diet, and age-related decline. Published in Nature Aging, their study reveals that aging promotes a specific form of cell death in liver cells, known as ferroptosis, which is dependent on iron. Notably, genes associated with ferroptosis are more active in older livers and in individuals with MASLD, a prevalent liver condition linked to obesity and metabolic disorders. The team experimented with Ferrostatin-1, a compound that inhibits ferroptosis. In mouse models fed a diet inducing liver disease, treatment with Ferrostatin-1 resulted in livers that appeared youthful and healthy, even among older mice. Additionally, the study found that aging liver damage may have systemic effects, impacting organs like the heart, kidneys, and pancreas. This breakthrough suggests the potential for reversing age-related liver deterioration and highlights the importance of further research to determine applicability in humans. The findings offer hope for developing therapies to restore liver health and prevent related organ damage.