Speaker: Prof Leanne Hodson, Professor of Metabolic Physiology, University of Oxford, will present a seminar entitled: The ins and outs of liver metabolism

Host: Richard Mithen

Abstract:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome encompasses a spectrum of conditions from hepatic steatosis through to cirrhosis. It remains unclear why intra-hepatocellular fat starts to accumulate, but it is likely to involve an imbalance between fatty acid delivery to the liver, fatty acid synthesis and oxidation within the liver and triglyceride export from the liver.

As the liver plays a major role in regulating fat and carbohydrate metabolism, perturbations in these metabolic processes have the potential to impact on metabolic health. For example, whether fatty acids are partitioned toward oxidation or esterification pathways appears to be dependent on a number of metabolic factors; not least ambient insulin concentrations. Moreover, the nutrient content of the diet appears to play a key role in intrahepatic fatty acid partitioning.  This talk will discuss how metabolic and nutritional state and specific dietary nutrients may alter hepatic fatty acid partitioning.

All staff from organisations on the Norwich Research Park are welcome to attend.