A chemical from a fungus can reduce fat buildup in liver cells in lab tests, working as well as a common cholesterol medicine.
Claim Context
Neosartoryone A (191), a methylsulfonylated polyketide from Neosartorya udagawae, reduces oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 liver cells in vitro, with an effect comparable to the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin, suggesting potential lipid-lowering activity.
“Neosartoryone A (191) ... was found to decrease lipid accumulation in HepG2 liver cells that was provoked by oleic acid. The effect of 191 is comparable to that of the current cholesterol-lowering drug, simvastatin”
Evidence from Studies
No evidence studies found yet.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Whether neosartoryone A reduces liver fat or improves lipid profiles in humans with metabolic disease
A double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II RCT with 180 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, randomized to oral neosartoryone A (50 mg daily) or placebo for 24 weeks, measuring liver fat percentage (MRI-PDFF), LDL cholesterol, and liver enzymes as primary endpoints
Whether neosartoryone A use is associated with improved metabolic health
A prospective cohort study following 400 adults with metabolic syndrome who consume fungal-derived supplements, tracking changes in liver fat (FibroScan), lipid profiles, and insulin resistance over 2 years
Whether exposure to Neosartorya compounds is associated with lower risk of fatty liver disease
A matched case-control study of 350 patients with NAFLD versus 350 healthy controls, assessing dietary intake of fungi and fungal metabolites through food frequency questionnaires
The prevalence of lipid-lowering effects among different fungal metabolites in cell models
A cross-sectional screening of 150 fungal metabolites for their ability to reduce lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells treated with oleic acid, measuring triglyceride content and comparing to simvastatin