Scientists at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) have made a major breakthrough in the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious and often overlooked liver disease. Their research reveals that the naturally occurring hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can significantly reduce liver damage caused by NASH.
Leading the Study
The research team was led by Dr. Rohit A. Sinha, Associate Professor in the Department of Endocrinology, along with researchers Sana Raza and Pratima Gupta. Their findings show that DHEA helps remove excess fat from liver cells, reduces inflammation, and prevents further damage—making it a promising therapeutic option.
Understanding NASH and Its Prevalence
NASH is the most severe form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which a Union Health Ministry document describes as “a silent epidemic.” The condition affects between 9% and 32% of the population, depending on age, gender, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors. Alarmingly, about 20% of people with NAFLD go on to develop NASH, which includes liver fibrosis and significant liver function decline.
Hormonal Clue Sparks Groundbreaking Research
Dr. Sinha explained that the team found lower levels of DHEA in patients suffering from NASH. “DHEA is a parent hormone that acts as a precursor to sex hormones in humans. When we analyzed patient data, we noticed a consistent drop in DHEA levels among those with NASH and advanced fibrosis. This observation became the foundation for our study,” he said. The results were recently published in the prestigious journal Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology.
Promising Results in Animal and Cellular Models
As reported by TOI, the research began with a mouse model. Mice were first fed a diet designed to induce NASH. Once the condition was established, the team administered DHEA. The results were dramatic: liver damage in 80% of the mice decreased by about 60%.
Encouraged by these results, the team moved on to lab-grown human liver cells. They artificially created a NASH-like condition by loading the cells with excess fat. After introducing DHEA, they observed up to an 80% reduction in fat content within the liver cells—further validating the hormone’s therapeutic potential.
Next Step: Clinical Trials
With such encouraging preclinical results, the team is now preparing to move forward with human clinical trials. “The outcome has been extremely promising. We are now aiming to explore DHEA-based hormone replacement therapy for NASH patients,” Dr. Sinha stated.
A Path Forward
This research opens the door to a potential low-risk, hormone-based treatment for a disease that silently affects millions. If future trials confirm its effectiveness, DHEA could soon become a key tool in reversing liver damage and managing NASH more effectively.