B4197 - Early Life Factors and Childhood Metabolomic Profiles with Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis in Young Adults - 21/11/2022

B number: 
B4197
Principal applicant name: 
Stefani Tica | Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine (United States)
Co-applicants: 
Yin Cao, ScD, MPH, Phillip Tarr, MD, Xiaoyu Zong, MPH
Title of project: 
Early Life Factors and Childhood Metabolomic Profiles with Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Fibrosis in Young Adults
Proposal summary: 

Non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease among children and adults. NAFLD is a spectrum of disease which includes significant fat deposits in the liver, liver inflammation, and in some cases permanent scarring and cirrhosis. NAFLD is more common among individuals with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Current evidence suggests risk for NAFLD, obesity, and metabolic syndrome can be inherited and influenced by early life exposures. However, there is no framework for identifying who is at greatest risk for more severe liver disease (inflammation, scarring, cirrhosis). We aim to investigate whether development and severity of NAFLD in young adulthood is associated with blood markers of metabolism in childhood and parental factors.

Impact of research: 
We anticipate significant impact from the results of this investigation, as the developmental origins of NAFLD have been insufficiently explored in humans. This project will provide a novel insight into NAFLD development and progression. To our knowledge, this would be the first assessment of NAFLD risk using human maternal, paternal, and offspring data collected prospectively from the perinatal period into adulthood and is likely to robustly add to our current understanding of existing hypotheses. The findings and perspective from this study will be especially critical in identifying and prioritizing potential targets for public health intervention on this increasingly burdensome disease.
Date proposal received: 
Friday, 11 November, 2022
Date proposal approved: 
Monday, 21 November, 2022
Keywords: 
Clinical research/clinical practice, Gastrointestinal, Obesity, Computer simulations/modelling/algorithms, Metabolomics, NMR, Statistical methods, Biological samples -e.g. blood, cell lines, saliva, etc., Biomarkers - e.g. cotinine, fatty acids, haemoglobin, etc., BMI, Liver function, Metabolic - metabolism, Nutrition - breast feeding, diet, Offspring, Statistical methods