Researchers develop fat-like nanoparticles to treat fatty liver disease

Researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), have developed a novel RNA-based therapy that could transform treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH),

previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which affects approximately 25% of people worldwide, and up to 40% of adults in Singapore.

In its severe form, the condition can progress to liver cancer or liver failure. Currently, only two drugs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for MASH, and these drugs benefit just 30% of patients, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapies.

Led by Assistant Professor Wang Jiong-Wei from the Department of Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute and the Nanomedicine Translational Research Program (TRP), NUS Medicine, the team created a tiny medicine made of lipid nanoparticles – fat-like particles that can safely deliver genetic drugs (siRNA) into liver cells.

Once inside, the siRNA silences a gene called SPTLC2, which produces ceramides – a type of fat that drives liver fat build-up, inflammation, and fibrosis when the levels are elevated.

Asst Prof. Wang said, "Our study shows that shutting down harmful liver fats with RNA nanomedicines can significantly reduce liver fat, inflammation, and scarring. It identifies a clear molecular target in fatty liver disease and demonstrates how liver-targeted RNA medicines can directly address the root cause.

Image source: Yu et al. (2025), Science Advances.