Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have revealed that a common asthma drug has shown unexpected effectiveness in treating MASH (Meatysphere Disease).
MASH disease is an advanced stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, where fat accumulation in the liver leads to chronic inflammation and progressive tissue damage, potentially progressing to cirrhosis or liver failure, which may necessitate a liver transplant in some cases. The prevalence of this disease is increasing globally with rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The study suggests that the drug formoterol, a beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that has been used for years to dilate the airways in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may have an unexpected effect on the liver.
The story began during research that was originally focused on kidney diseases, as researchers tested the drug on mouse models with kidney damage related to diabetes. During the experiments, they observed an improvement in kidney function, but they also surprisingly discovered a decrease in fat accumulation inside the liver.
This discovery prompted the research team to study the direct effect on the liver, using a mouse model on a high-fat diet to mimic MASH disease. The results showed that treatment with formoterol helped reduce fat in the liver and even demonstrated the ability to reverse some aspects of the disease.
The researchers explain that the drug may work by improving energy production within cells, through enhancing the activity of mitochondria, the "power plants" within cells, leading to improved cellular function and reduced cellular damage.
The team also analyzed data from patients who had previously used similar drugs to treat respiratory diseases, and found that the use of these drugs was associated with lower rates of serious liver complications, such as cirrhosis and death.
Despite these encouraging results, researchers emphasize that the current evidence is still preliminary, as it relies on animal experiments and observational data that do not prove a direct causal relationship in humans.
Researchers point out that there are already some newly approved treatments for MASH, such as "Resmetrum" and "Semaglutide," but they are still of limited effectiveness and do not completely stop the disease.
The research team emphasizes that the advantage of "formoterol" lies in the fact that it is a drug that has been used for many years and has a known safety record, which may accelerate the possibility of its reuse if it proves effective in clinical trials on humans.
However, important questions remain under investigation, such as the appropriate dosage for treating liver diseases, the method of administration, and the extent to which the benefit lasts in the long term.
If the ongoing clinical trials are successful, this discovery could pave the way for a new and promising treatment option for patients with fatty liver and diabetes, using an existing drug that has proven safe.
The study was published in the journal npj Metabolic Health and Disease.
