The research focus of our group lies, on the one hand, in the investigation of the interplay between the intestine and liver in the context of metabolic liver diseases such as MASLD and ALD. However, we are also dedicated to the investigation of molecular mechanisms of ageing and their influence on the intestinal barrier and the liver as well as cognition and how these can be modulated by nutrition. We are also looking at the influence of diet and dietary patterns on the immune response caused by viral and bacterial components.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD)

MASLD, until recently known as NAFLD, and ALD are a growing burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Studies indicate that complex interactions between metabolic processes, inflammation, ageing mechanisms and the immune system play a central role in the development of MASLD. The prevalence of MASLD has risen from around 25% worldwide (1990-2006) to 38% (2016-2019), with people with obesity or type 2 diabetes being particularly affected (Younossi et al., 2023).

Alcohol-related liver diseases also contribute significantly to the burden of disease: According to the WHO's Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2024, around 2.6 million deaths are attributable to alcohol consumption each year, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths worldwide. A significant proportion of these deaths are due to alcohol-related liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, with men being affected significantly more often than women. Despite intensive research, the molecular mechanisms of the development of both MASLD and ALD are not yet fully understood.

Ageing and degenerative changes

The number of older people worldwide is steadily increasing and it is predicted that by 2050 the number of people over 60 will exceed that of those under 15. In addition, the findings of the Global Burden of Disease Report 2021 indicate that the older we get, the more likely we are to develop diseases such as Alzheimer's and metabolic diseases. The ageing process can be accompanied by functional impairment of cells, tissues and organs, as well as changes in the immune system, which ultimately lead to death. The mechanisms underlying healthy ageing and, in particular, the influence of nutrition have not yet been conclusively clarified.

Nutrition and immune response

The interaction between nutrition and the immune response has come into focus, and not just since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In addition to viral infections, bacterial infections also continue to lead to deaths. The results of our own and other studies show that diet and, in particular, secondary plant compounds, for example from hops but also from other plants, can influence the immune system and alter the inflammatory response triggered by bacterial substances. How different nutritional patterns and food components modulate the immune system and thus influence the course of infection has not yet been conclusively clarified.

Our research projects

Our research group is dedicated to investigating these mechanisms and pursues a multidisciplinary approach that combines nutritional science, molecular biology and immunology. The focus is on the following areas:

1. Interaction of dietary ingredients, alcohol and the intestinal barrier:
We are investigating how dietary ingredients and alcohol affect gut barrier function and the role these changes play in the development of MASLD and ALD. In particular, we look at the interaction of the gut and liver in the development of ALD and MASLD as well as age-associated degenerative liver changes.

2. Ageing processes and age-related liver damage:
Ageing is often accompanied by a loss of function of the liver and other organs, accompanied by chronic inflammation (inflamm-ageing) and immunologic changes. Our research aims to decipher the role of bacterial endotoxins and toll-like receptors in these processes and to better understand age-related liver damage.

3. Hop ingredients and the immune system:
Hops contain bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. We are analyzing their effect on the immune system and investigating their potential applications for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases and the regulation of inflammatory processes.

The goal of our research is to create the basis for new nutrition-based strategies for the prevention and treatment of steatotic liver diseases, age-related organ damage and infection-associated inflammatory processes. By studying various model organisms and taking a translational approach, we aim to transfer scientific findings directly into practice.

Younossi, Z. M., Golabi, P., Paik, J. M., Henry, A., Van Dongen, C., & Henry, L. (2023). The global epidemiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): a systematic review. Hepatology, 77(4), 1335-1347. doi.org/10.1097/HEP.0000000000000004