The liver’s job of clearing harmful substances from the body is so essential that the organ may have implications for addressing unexpected diseases, including Alzheimer’s and heart disease. A promising example comes from new Keck School of Medicine of USC research published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

The study, conducted in aged rats, shows that an experimental drug called cinaciguat reverses effects of aging in the liver. This, in turn, may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and clogged arteries. The researchers also revealed what’s behind that rejuvenation, including a specific biochemical pathway used for local communication between liver cells, which suggests a potential therapeutic target.

“We need to do further translational work to see whether our findings might point to new therapies,” said corresponding author Laurie DeLeve, M.D., Ph.D., professor and vice chair for scientific affairs in the USC Department of Medicine.