When scientists blocked the enzyme in some mice, the results were shocking. There was no swelling in the liver even after drinking alcohol. Early signs of fat accumulation were missing and liver cells appeared safe. This means that if this enzyme is stopped through some medicine, then the harm caused by alcohol can be prevented to a great extent. Besides, the pattern of alcohol drinking also reduced in rats.
can be important for India
The number of deaths due to excessive drinking is a serious problem in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Lancet Public Health, alcohol-related deaths are increasing rapidly in India. In 2019, the rate of deaths due to alcohol in India was about 30.5 per lakh people, which increased to 38.5 by 2020.
Alcohol causes millions of deaths every year in India, including heart disease, cancer and road accidents. According to a study by The Lancet, globally there were 2.6 million alcohol-related deaths in 2019, including 2 million in men and 0.6 million in women.
According to a study by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz published in Nature Metabolism, alcohol activates a metabolic pathway that triggers the formation of fructose within the body. It is fructose that damages the liver.
Why is this research important?
This research is also important because currently there is no concrete treatment for alcohol-related liver disease. Doctors usually recommend reducing or quitting alcohol completely, because medicines cannot prevent these diseases. But this research raises hopes of developing a new drug in the future that will directly target this enzyme and protect the liver from damage.
The number of deaths due to liver related diseases is quite scary. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, cirrhosis (liver cirrhosis) caused 1.32 million deaths worldwide.
The annual incidence of alcohol-related liver diseases, such as fatty liver and cirrhosis, in India may be around 10–15 million, although exact figures are limited. According to WHO, alcohol contributes 50-70% to liver cirrhosis, and the high availability of unregulated alcohol in India increases the incidence of damage.
it would not be safe to drink alcohol
However, scientists have also made it clear that this does not mean that drinking alcohol will become safe. This method can only reduce the risk of liver disease. Other harms from alcohol, such as heart disease, cancer, or mental health effects, may still persist.
