Hepatic fibrosis may be linked to genetics, based on a study published in Gastroenterology, according to San Diego Health.
Rohit Loomba, MD, associate professor at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and his team studied 42 identical twins and 18 fraternal twins.
Here are four observations:
1. Using MRIs to analyze liver fat content and liver stiffness, the team found 26 of the tested people had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD can result in worse conditions.
2. Dr. Loomba found a correlation between identical twins and hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis.
3. This indicates that hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis may be inherited.
4. Dr. Loomba plans to test microbiome next, collective genomes of microorganisms, which also hint at heritability.
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