Therapeutical approaches for NAFLD and NASH : study of natural compounds

Project Description:

NAFLD is a chronic liver disease without a specific therapy available, the mainstay is represented by life style interventions on obesogenic environment and sedentary life, useful to decrease intra-hepatic fat content and to improve metabolic functions. Unfortunately, this target is difficult to be achieved and results are unsatisfactory. Lack of compliance remains a relevant problem and dietary therapy generally fails to achieve its desired target. For this reason the solution is the use of diet, like strategy in the prevention of NAFLD progression. Recently, interesting dietary supplements often based on natural compounds present in specific foods (yogurt, fish oil, etc…) have been adopted in adults with NAFLD as an alternative treatment. The main goal of the present project is the study (in vitro and in vivo) of the nutraceutical properties of these specific active compounds in order to define a helpful solution to prevent/improve/revert some of the events that participates in the progression of this hepatic disease.

Scientists involved:

Natalia Rosso, PhD-Senior Researcher (Scientific Coordinator)

Silvia Gazzin, PhD-Senior Researcher – in vivo Scientific coordinator (from 2012-to date)

Veronica Marin, PhD Student (from 2013-to date)

Franco Pascucci, PhD Student (from 2012 to 2013)

Claudio Tiribelli, MD, PhD- FIF Scientific Director

Period: 01/01/2012-to date

Funding Source:

Fondazione Italiana Fegato in house grant

MIUR (Art.13 D.LGS 297/99-Progetto Nutrizione e Salute) From 01/01/2012 to 30/04/2015

PhD Fellowship ( 2012-2013) of Franco Pascuscci was supported by Ministero Affari Esteri (MAE).

Partners:

Consorzio Biomedicina Molecolare CBM – Università degli Studi di Trieste -  Università degli Studi di Udine -  IRCCS Burlo Garofolo -  TBS Group – Euroclone Spa