Scientists Identify Key Enzyme That Links Alcohol to Addiction and Liver Damage

2 hours ago7 min read1 comments

A groundbreaking discovery could revolutionize the treatment of alcohol-related disorders. Researchers have identified a single enzyme, ketohexokinase (KHK), as the critical driver connecting alcohol consumption to both addictive behavior and liver disease.The study reveals that alcohol doesn't merely poison the liver passively—it actively reprograms the body's metabolism, triggering a sugar-producing pathway normally used for fructose processing. This creates endogenous fructose, establishing a dangerous feedback loop that reinforces alcohol consumption.When scientists blocked KHK activity in animal models, the results were profound: voluntary alcohol intake dropped significantly, and livers showed substantially less damage, including reduced inflammation and fat accumulation. This dual effect suggests KHK inhibition could simultaneously curb addiction and prevent organ injury.The findings open an entirely new therapeutic approach beyond current treatments focused on withdrawal management and psychological support. This research also has broader implications for metabolic health, as the identified pathway shares characteristics with processes involved in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While still in early stages, this discovery represents a paradigm shift in understanding alcohol harm—from direct toxicity to metabolic dysregulation—and offers promising avenues for future medications that could tackle both the craving and the physical damage of alcohol use disorder.

#lead focus news

#alcohol addiction

#liver disease

#enzyme KHK

#fructose pathway

#medical research

#mice study

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