They discover the “GPS” that distributes the work of liver cells after childbirth

Scientists of Spain and USA have precisely described how a gene actually acts “GPS” that distributes the work and promotes the specialization of liver cells, a maturation process of the liver which only begins after childbirth, once oral food intake has begun.

The researchers have proven that this specialization and maturation of the liver begins when the baby begins to eat food, a process that is considered fundamental in all mammals, and today they publish the results of their work in the journal Nature Communications.

The work has been directed by Alejo Efeyan, head of the Metabolism and Cellular Signaling Group of the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), and the results have been validated by a group from the University of Sant Louis (United States) that investigates the parenteral (non-digestive) feeding.

Efeyan explained to EFE that his research clarifies why cycles with food and without food are important not only to ensure proper functioning of the liver, but also for other organs such as the pancreas or the intestine, and how this diversification of functions makes sense when it begins. oral feeding after childbirth and not when feeding comes through the umbilical cord.

The liver is what detects the energy demand of the body at all times and mobilizes nutrient reserves to satisfy it; For example, it releases glucose into the blood when insulin alerts us to a need for energy, or it synthesizes fats and proteins essential for the body, and these tasks fall to the liver cells, called “hepatocrits”.

An “orchestra conductor” who ensures a tuned melody

Researchers have now proven that a gene (called “mTOR”) is responsible for organizing the position map, like a “GPS”of each of these cells, which triggers their specialization and maturation, explained Ana Belén Plata, first author of the research, who has compared this gene with an orchestra conductor who organizes the different musical components into sections so that it sounds “a coordinated and fine-tuned melody of metabolic functions”.

Until after birth, all liver cells do the same because the supply of nutrients is constant through the umbilical cord, but after birth and when oral intake begins, and with it the fluctuations, specialization begins to coordinate the needs of the organism .

The finding has been a surprise for the researchers, since they were studying the maturation of the liver to observe the consequences of sedentary lifestyle and overnutrition in society, and to validate their results and check their impact in real life, they collaborated with an American group. that investigates parenteral feeding by supplying nutrients constantly, without fluctuations, in neonatal pigs.

Alejo Efeyan explained to EFE that liver cells organize themselves “like a chess board” in which the different functions are distributed, and that the specialization and diversification of that “mosaic” It starts with oral intake and fluctuations in feeding cycles, so each one does its job. “in an easier and more efficient way, like a production line in a factory.”

Deepening the knowledge of liver pathologies

And the fasting cycles (the hours between meals or those that a person spends asleep) are equally important, necessary and essential for each organ to perform its functions, has stressed the researcher, who has valued the importance of this work to delve deeper. in the knowledge of the pathologies that affect the liver and each of its areas.

The American team investigates why constant feeding without passing through the digestive tract (parenteral), which is used in many serious diseases and in premature babies, does not always work well, so that patients receive through this route only the nutrients that they cannot ingest. , with the focus on improving the diet administered to people by vein.

“We didn’t flip just any switch; “We touch the one that lights up with insulin and nutrients,” observed Efeyan, and referred to the possible relationships that this work may have with the benefits that some nutritionists attribute to intermittent fasting.

“Understanding if this switch is key for intermittent fasting, for calorie restriction, etc. and for which of its beneficial effects, is precisely what we are studying now,” explained the researcher from the National Cancer Research Center.

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