Liver enzyme may play critical role in enhancing cholesterol removal from the body

The human body works hard to keep cholesterol levels in check. Cholesterol comes from diet and also naturally occurs in the human body. A large portion of the cholesterol occurring in the body is made in the liver, where its levels are also regulated. But an excess of cholesterol can occur, placing individuals at risk for developing coronary artery or heart disease, and the liver is the only organ in the body able to remove cholesterol.

Researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine are conducting research aimed at understanding a key enzyme called CEH, which regulates the removal of cholesterol from cells and makes it available to HDL, or "good cholesterol".

In a new study, to appear in the November issue of the Journal of Lipid Research, researchers report that CEH in the liver is critical for enhancing cholesterol removal from the body and establishes its cooperation with HDL receptor. In a preclinical model, the team observed that CEH worked together with a membrane protein called scavenger receptor BI, or SR-BI. Working together, CEH and SR-BI help drive a process to move cholesterol out of the body. They also observed how CEH helped catalyze important biologic processes and increased the flux of HDL-cholesterol to bile acids in vivo.

Understanding the cellular processes that regulate the removal of cholesterol from the body is important for the development of new drugs that can enhance this process. Drugs developed to increase the activity of this enzyme will reduce atherosclerosis (deposition of cholesteryl esters in artery wall) which is the underlying cause of coronary artery or heart disease.

Although the team has identified the enzyme, additional research is necessary to determine how the activity of the enzyme is regulated. The team plans to work to further understand the in vivo regulation of the enzyme and develop novel strategies to increase CEH activity by pharmacological means.

Some signs which suggests we need to take Liver Function Test

The liver is the most important organ in the human body, behind the brain and the heart. It regulates metabolism, detoxifies the blood and the rest of the body, and forms compounds that form blood clots. It's because the liver is responsible for so many functions that when it starts to decline, everything else follows it.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a condition that develops quickly, and can very suddenly send an otherwise healthy person into an ICU. It's not common, and many of the symptoms mirror that of other diseases and conditions. That, combined with its rapid progression and high mortality rate, make it a red flag to watch out for. Some behaviors and medications can increase the likelihood of developing ALF, including Acetaminophen overdose (caused by taking more than the recommended dosage daily for several days), certain prescription medications, Hepatitis, Cancer, obesity, and alcoholism.

Jaundice
You may be familiar with the appearance of jaundice in the context of newborn babies, but it's a symptom that manifests in adults as well. This is a common symptom of poor liver function, and results as a high level of bilirubin (bile pigment) in the bloodstream. This heightened level of bile pigment points to an inflammation of the liver cells. It's not a coincidence that it's at the top of this list. This symptom is often the only visual sign of liver disease, so if you notice someone's skin taking on a yellow shade, seek medical attention immediately.

Abdominal Pain
Pain and tenderness in the upper-abdominal area can be a symptom of liver failure. This is often accompanied with bloating because it's caused by a build-up of fluid in the liver. Localized abdominal pain and tenderness should never be ignored, especially if the pain is severe enough that sitting still is difficult.

Extreme Fatigue
Liver failure can cause fatigue as a result of the bloodstream being overloaded with toxins. When there are too many toxins in the blood, the amount of oxygen it can carry is limited, which in turn reduces the nutrients our bodies need to produce energy. If you suddenly find yourself overly fatigued without any other factors that could cause it, pay close attention to your body — it's probably trying to tell you something.

Loss of Appetite
When we are really sick, our body rejects food through severe appetite suppression. This is especially common in the case of major organ failure. If your appetite drops off, combined with any of these other symptoms, don't ignore it. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

These symptoms are the most common signs of liver failure. To prevent falling victim to this condition, take care of yourself. Keep your drinking to a moderate level, get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B at Health Testing Centers, follow your doctor's instructions about medication dosage, and watch your weight.

Above all, knowing the symptoms and catching it before it's too late are the keys for surviving liver failure. Keep these tips in mind and stay in tune with your body to prevent this fatal condition.