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SPARK Microsystems révolutionne les casques sans fil grâce à la technologie audio à bande ultra-large

SPARK Microsystems

SPARK Microsystems, une entreprise canadienne de semi-conducteurs spécialisée dans les communications sans fil à courte portée de nouvelle génération, a publié son design de référence de casque sans fil Golion qui tire parti de la technologie audio à bande ultra-large (UWB) de SPARK, afin d’offrir une expérience audio inégalée. La technologie audio UWB de SPARK a fait ses preuves en production, comme en témoigne la récente intégration dans le système de haut-parleurs sans fil Duetto de Sonus faber. En s'appuyant sur cette même technologie, Golion étend la portée de SPARK des haut-parleurs sans fil aux casques d'écoute. Combinant le meilleur des deux mondes, l'audio UWB révolutionnaire de SPARK offre une latence exceptionnellement faible de seulement 5 ms pour assurer une synchronisation audio-vidéo parfaite, complétée par la capacité de fournir des données audios non compressées. Contrairement aux casques Bluetooth traditionnels, l'audio UWB de SPARK prend en charge un débit de données élevé, permettant la transmission d'un son sans perte qui n'est pas compromis par la compression ou la dégradation. Cela signifie que l'audio ne subit aucune distorsion et conserve la qualité de la source audio d'origine telle qu'elle est censée être. Prenant en charge une résolution allant jusqu'à 24 bits, le système audio SPARK UWB intégré au design de référence du casque Golion permet aux audiophiles de profiter de leur musique avec la meilleure qualité possible. Il prend également en charge l'audio stéréo jusqu'à 96 kHz et un microphone de 32 kHz avec une latence incroyablement faible de ~8 ms, ce qui rend la technologie idéale pour les applications où une communication claire et ininterrompue est essentielle. La technologie UWB de SPARK est prête à transformer une variété d'applications audio. Pour les casques prosommateurs et haut de gamme, SPARK UWB audio permet la lecture de flux audio sans perte à partir de services de premier plan tels qu'Apple Music, Tidal HiFi, Amazon Music HD, Deezer Premium, Qobuz et, bientôt, Spotify. Dans le monde du gaming, la latence ultra-faible permet aux joueurs de rester parfaitement synchronisés avec l'action à l'écran. Et pour les moniteurs de studio, les ingénieurs du son, les tables de mixage, les instruments de musique et les communicateurs vocaux dans les environnements bruyants, l'audio UWB de SPARK offre une qualité et une latence inégalées. « L'essor des services de streaming audio sans perte nécessite un véritable casque sans fil sans perte, et le design de référence du casque Golion permettra aux concepteurs audio de commercialiser plus rapidement leurs innovations », a déclaré Graham Loveridge, directeur principal du marketing chez SPARK Microsystems. « L'audio UWB de SPARK change la donne, en éliminant le besoin de compromis entre la commodité du sans-fil et la qualité audio suprême et la faible latence de la connectivité filaire ». SPARK est à l'avant-garde de la redéfinition de l'audio sans fil, garantissant que les joueurs, les musiciens et les audiophiles puissent vivre leur passion avec une clarté et une réactivité sans précédent. Pour demander une plateforme de référence audio sans fil pour casque SPARK Golion, veuillez contacter l'équipe des ventes de SPARK pour plus d'informations. Golion et les autres solutions UWB de SPARK seront disponibles pour des démonstrations au salon CES 2024. À propos de SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems construit la prochaine génération de dispositifs de communication sans fil à courte portée. SPARK UWB fournit des liens de communication sans fil à haut débit et à très faible latence avec un profil de puissance ultra-faible, ce qui en fait la solution idéale pour les réseaux personnels (PAN) utilisés dans les produits mobiles, grand public et connectés à l'IoT. S'appuyant sur des technologies brevetées, SPARK Microsystems s'efforce de minimiser et, à terme, d'éliminer les fils et les batteries d'un large éventail d'applications. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter www.sparkmicro.com. Contact Details Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.sparkmicro.com

November 08, 2023 09:41 AM Eastern Standard Time

Europa Oil & Gas back up and running at Wressle-1 after delays

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) PLC

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) PLC (AIM:EOG) chief executive William Holland speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive London after the exploration and production company announced the restart of production at the Wressle-1 well following the installation of a downhole jet pump. Holland acknowledges that the return to production took longer than he'd hoped, attributing the delay in part to long lead items. He emphasises that the well's output surpassed expectations during a six-hour average rate and reached even higher peaks. As the well stabilises, Holland assures that production details will be forthcoming. Additionally, he says that Europa is seeking an extension of its license for the Inishkea West Project due to advanced seismic reprocessing that exceeded initial timelines. This reprocessing has revealed further potential, delaying the farm-in process as interested parties await the results. Holland has presented this to Irish regulators and remains confident in obtaining the extension. Addressing the oil and gas sector's downturn and Europa's share price not reflecting recent successes, Holland argues for responsible investment in the industry, citing global consumption and Europa's commitment to being a responsible hydrocarbon custodian. He suggests a shift in investor sentiment as some recognise the need for balanced ESG strategies and begin reinvesting in upstream sectors. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

November 08, 2023 09:39 AM Eastern Standard Time

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SPARK Microsystems Revolutionizes Wireless Headsets with Ultra-Wideband Audio Technology

SPARK Microsystems

SPARK Microsystems, a Canadian fabless semiconductor company specializing in next-generation short-range wireless communications, has released its Golion wireless headset reference design leveraging SPARK ultra-wideband (UWB) audio technology to deliver an unparalleled audio experience. SPARK’s UWB audio is production-proven technology as demonstrated by the recent integration into the Sonus faber Duetto wireless speaker system. Golion, leveraging this same technology, extends SPARK’s reach from wireless speakers into headsets. Blending the best of both worlds, SPARK's groundbreaking UWB audio offers exceptionally low latency of just 5ms to ensure perfect audio-video synchronization, complemented with the ability to deliver uncompressed audio data. Unlike traditional Bluetooth headsets, SPARK UWB audio supports high data throughput, enabling the transmission of lossless audio that’s uncompromised by compression or degradation. This means that the audio remains distortion-free, retaining the quality of the original audio source as it was intended to sound. With support for up to 24-bits of resolution, the SPARK UWB audio featured in the Golion headset reference design ensures that audiophiles can enjoy their music in the highest possible quality. It also offers support for up to 96kHz stereo audio and a 32 kHz microphone back channel with an impressively low latency of ~8ms making the technology ideal for applications where clear, uninterrupted communication is essential. SPARK’s UWB technology is poised to transform a variety of audio applications. For prosumer and premium headsets, SPARK UWB audio enables the playback of lossless audio streams from leading services such as Apple Music, Tidal HiFi, Amazon Music HD, Deezer Premium, Qobuz, and soon, Spotify. In the gaming world, the ultra-low latency ensures that players stay perfectly in sync with the on-screen action. And for studio monitors, sound engineers, mixing desks, musical instruments, and voice communicators in noisy environments, SPARK’s UWB audio delivers unmatched quality and latency performance. “The rise of lossless audio streaming services necessitates a true lossless wireless headset, and the Golion headset reference design will enable audio designers to get to market faster with their innovations," said Graham Loveridge, Senior Director Marketing, SPARK Microsystems. "SPARK’s UWB audio is a game-changer, eliminating the need to compromise between the convenience of wireless and the supreme audio quality and low latency of wired connectivity." SPARK is leading the charge in redefining wireless audio, ensuring that gamers, musicians, and audiophiles alike can experience their passion with unprecedented clarity and responsiveness. To request a SPARK Golion wireless headset audio reference platform, please contact the SPARK sales team for more information. Golion and other UWB solutions from SPARK will be available for demos at CES 2024. About SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems is building next generation short-range wireless communication devices. SPARK provides high data rate and very low latency wireless communication links at an ultra-low power profile, making it ideal for personal area networks (PANs) used in mobile, consumer and IoT-connected products. Leveraging patented technologies, SPARK Microsystems strives to minimize and ultimately eliminate wires and batteries from a wide range of applications while delivering a wired-like performance. For more information, please visit www.sparkmicro.com. Contact Details Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.sparkmicro.com

November 08, 2023 09:35 AM Eastern Standard Time

Rainbow Rare Earths takes "huge de-risking step" with TechMet deal

Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd

Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LSE:RBW, OTC:RBWRF) CEO George Bennett speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive after the magnet rare earth metals company announced it has granted partner TechMet an option to take a direct stake in the Phalaborwa project in South Africa. The deal, backed by the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, involves a $50 million investment and Bennett believes it represents a vote of confidence following a rigorous due diligence process. Bennett says that the deal represents a "huge de-risking step" for the project. With pilot plants in South Africa and Florida focused on critical rare earth mineral separation, Rainbow's project boasts low capital intensity and a projected EBITDA margin exceeding 75%. Bennett highlights the project's dual virtues in economics and environmental cleanup, as it repurposes gypsum waste into marketable products while eradicating environmental liabilities. This strategic move not only mitigates financing strain but also reduces shareholder dilution. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

November 08, 2023 09:16 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Hydrogen Utopia International confident in demand surge for medical cannabis

Hydrogen Utopia International PLC

Hydrogen Utopia International PLC (LSE:HUI, OTCQB:HUIPF) CEO Aleksandra Binkowska and Howard White, Executive Director of the same company and 100% owner of Ohrid Organics speak to Proactive's Thomas Warner about HUI's recent step into the medical cannabis sector through an investment in North Macedonia-focused grower Ohrid Organics. Binkowska explains that her passion for establishing a waste plastic-to-hydrogen facility is behind the decision to partner with Ohrid Organics, emphasising the importance of HUI becoming financially self-sufficient. The shift in strategy is the result of slower than expected progress in garnering governmental grants and a reluctance to ask the market for fresh funding. Howard White shares his journey as an established investor in waste-to-energy and gives an overview of developments at Ohrid Organics' King Field facility. He expresses confidence in the future of the site and says that he sees the liberalisation of medical cannabis legislation, particularly in conflict-afflicted areas as a potentially lucrative opportunity. Ohrid Organics highlights on its website that North Macedonia has the lowest cost per gram for cannabis production in Europe. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

November 08, 2023 09:11 AM Eastern Standard Time

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DealMaker named one of Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50™ Companies-to-Watch

DealMaker

DealMaker is excited to announce that it has been named a Company-to-Watch by the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ program. Celebrating its 26th anniversary, the award recognizes emerging technology companies across North America. Founded by two lawyers in the capital markets industry, DealMaker’s mission is to make online capital raising mainstream by allowing companies to raise capital digitally, from their communities. It provides a suite of technology tools including ecommerce checkouts for buying securities, stakeholder communication tools and digital marketing integrations. DealMaker is an e-commerce-style digital platform that enables companies to easily raise capital online and market capital raises to the broader public. Co-Founders Rebecca Kacaba and Mat Goldstein came up with the idea for DealMaker in 2015 while running a startup practice in their law firm. DealMaker's CEO, Rebecca Kacaba, credits their commitment to adaptability coupled with their ability to be forward-thinking and innovative with the company's early-stage success. Kacaba said, “As a company born from the drive to disrupt the decades-old antiquated industry of the capital markets, we fully embrace and lean into innovation and quick pivots. The motto ‘Our Business is Change’ reinforces the belief that we’re comfortable where others are not - we need to constantly live in the mindset of adaptation. Landing on Deloitte’s Companies-to-Watch list is a testament to our drive for forward-thinking innovation.” This award win comes right after DealMaker’s second consecutive year ranking in the Top 10 of the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Top Growing Companies, ranking this year in 6th place and last year in 3rd place. Mat Goldstein, DealMaker’s Co-Founder and CSO, said “DealMaker is a pioneer in developing the online relationship between companies and their investors. We saw a huge pain point in the market where our clients were suffering, where the process of raising capital from investors was still paper-based, expensive, and obsolete - ripe for disruption. Our innovation in the space to digitize and simplify process solidifies us as a leader in this emerging market. To be given this honour as a Deloitte Company-to-Watch proves we are on the right track.” The DealMaker platform allows brands to tap into fundraising solutions beyond traditional venture capital, by using the internet to help companies to turn their customers and fans into investors and shareholders. Also called Equity or Investor Crowdfunding, DealMaker’s software facilitates raising capital across a variety of offering structures, in both Canada and the US, tapping into exemptions including Reg A, Reg CF, Reg D, OM and Private Placements. The Companies-to-Watch category is a ranking of Canadian technology companies with the potential to be future Technology Fast 50™ candidates by their revenue growth percentage over their last three years of operation. “Congratulations to this year’s Companies-to-Watch winners,” commented Anders McKenzie, partner and national leader for the Technology Fast 50 program at Deloitte Canada. “These companies have demonstrated promising growth trajectories and an exemplary ability to seize opportunities even in the face of a challenging economic context. This sets them apart as members of an emerging cohort of tech leaders in Canada. We look forward to keeping an eye on their progress in the months and years to come.” To date, DealMaker has processed over $2B in transactions and over 1,000,000 investments - more than any counterparts or competitor in North America. DealMaker’s technology was deployed in eight of the 10 largest online capital raises globally in the past 14 months. Issuers and organizations in the capital markets can learn more about DealMaker at dealmaker.tech. About DealMaker DealMaker is making online capital raising mainstream with a sophisticated suite of primary issuance and shareholder management solutions, including investor ranking algorithms and data analytics tools. Its mission is to put brands and founders back in control, running streamlined, successful capital raises in one centralized platform for investors globally. The company has offices in Toronto, Canada, Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida. Visit DealMaker.tech for more information. About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ program The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program is Canada’s pre-eminent technology awards program. Celebrating its 26th anniversary, the program recognizes business growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship in four distinct categories: Technology Fast 50 ranking, Enterprise—Industry leaders, Clean Technology, and Companies-to-Watch. The program also recognizes companies within the North American Technology Fast 500 ranking, identifying thriving technology companies in the United States and Canada. The 2023 program sponsors include Deloitte, RBCx, Osler, EDC, CCI, TMX, Clarity, and Lafond. For further information, visit www.fast50.ca. Contact Details DealMaker Natasha Jose natasha.jose@dealmaker.tech Company Website https://www.dealmaker.tech/

November 08, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Baby Shark creator The Pinkfong Company partners with TinyTap to develop early learning and entertainment in digital space

TinyTap

The Pinkfong Company, the global entertainment company behind “Baby Shark,” and TinyTap, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands and the leading edtech platform for user-generated educational games, today announced the signing of a licensing agreement for a strategic partnership wherein The Pinkfong Company’s content and IP, including the global phenomenon “Baby Shark”, will be featured in a range of initiatives across the TinyTap ecosystem, creating unique and engaging learning experiences for audiences around the world. The Pinkfong Company and TinyTap will leverage their respective expertise and resources to develop a range of interactive and educational products that promote creativity, critical thinking, and early childhood development. By combining The Pinkfong Company's beloved Baby Shark and other characters with TinyTap’s adaptive learning platform, the partnership will provide children with an immersive and personalized learning journey. "We are delighted to cooperate with TinyTap to redefine the landscape of early learning in digital spaces," said Gemma Joo, chief business officer at The Pinkfong Company. "Our mission of making learning fun and accessible aligns perfectly with TinyTap, and together we can create exceptional digital products and experiences that kids and families can enjoy while learning something new." The collaboration will start with the launch of a series of digital educational content and interactive learning experiences on the TinyTap platform and ecosystem. "TinyTap is thrilled to team up with The Pinkfong Company, a beloved brand that has captured the hearts of children worldwide," said Yogev Shelly, the CEO of TinyTap and a member of the EDU Foundation Council. "By combining our strengths we can offer a new dimension to early learning and create innovative, personalized, and meaningful experiences for global audiences and creators." The partnership between The Pinkfong Company and TinyTap represents a significant milestone in education and entertainment that sees two leading companies committed to making a positive impact on the education space via innovative technologies. By combining their expertise, resources, and shared vision, The Pinkfong Company and TinyTap are looking forward to shaping the future of early learning, revolutionizing the way children engage with educational content, and supporting educators, students, and the community. About The Pinkfong Company The Pinkfong Company is a global entertainment company that delivers content and entertaining experiences around the world. Driven by award-winning brands and IPs, the company has created and distributed a range of content across genres and formats including original animated series, world live tours, interactive games, and more. Believing in the power of entertaining and engaging content, The Pinkfong Company is committed to connecting people around the world and bringing joy and inspiration to worldwide audiences of all ages. For more information, please visit our website or follow the company on LinkedIn. About TinyTap TinyTap, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, was founded in 2012 and is the world’s largest educational games library with more than 250,000 activities made by educators and publishers including Sesame Street and Oxford University Press. Games are created using TinyTap’s code-free authoring platform and can be accessed by parents as part of TinyTap’s subscription or sold directly to families as bundles. A portion of subscription revenue is shared with content creators based on the user engagement generated by their content. TinyTap is among the top 10 grossing kids apps worldwide, delivering educational content to families in the US, Canada, Europe, and the Arab world with a focus on young learners (Pre-K to Grade 6), serving 9.2 million registered family members with content created by over 100,000 creators. Learn more at https://www.tinytap.com. About Animoca Brands Animoca Brands, a Deloitte Tech Fast winner, a Fortune Crypto 40 company, and one of the Financial Times’ High Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2023, is a Web3 leader that leverages blockchain to deliver digital property rights to consumers around the world to help to establish the open metaverse. The company develops and publishes a broad portfolio of products including original games such as The Sandbox, PHANTOM GALAXIES™, Life Beyond, and Crazy Defense Heroes, and products utilizing popular intellectual properties from the worlds of sports and entertainment, such as The Walking Dead, Power Rangers, MotoGP™, and Formula E. It has multiple subsidiaries, including The Sandbox, Blowfish Studios, Quidd, GAMEE, nWay, Pixowl, Forj, Lympo, Animoca Brands Japan, Grease Monkey Games, Eden Games, Darewise Entertainment, Notre Game, TinyTap, Be., PIXELYNX, WePlay Media, and Gryfyn. Animoca Brands is one of the most active investors in Web3, with a portfolio of over 400 Web3 investments, both directly and through Animoca Ventures, including Yuga Labs, Axie Infinity, Polygon, Consensys, Fireblocks, OpenSea, Dapper Labs, Yield Guild Games, Alien Worlds, and many more. For more information visit www.animocabrands.com or follow on Twitter or Facebook. Contact Details Elie Wiesel press@tinytap.com

November 08, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Mainz Biomed’s (NASDAQ: MYNZ) ColoFuture Study Reveals “Groundbreaking Results”: ColoAlert® Raises The Bar For Colorectal Cancer Detection

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Throughout the world, colorectal cancer has emerged as the third most prevalent form of cancer. Traditionally observed in individuals aged 45 and above, this malignancy is now displaying a troubling trend of affecting younger individuals. Startling data indicates a consistent increase in newly diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer among those under the age of 50 over the past few decades. In fact, the National Cancer Institute reports that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for Americans aged 20 to 59 years old. Despite these alarming statistics, routine colorectal cancer screenings for younger adults remain relatively uncommon due to its perceived rarity within this age group. Mainz Biomed (NASDAQ: MYNZ), a company that specializes in developing molecular genetic diagnostic solutions for life-threatening conditions, has created ColoAlert®, an innovative product that addresses the need for easier and more accessible cancer screenings for quick detection and treatment of colorectal cancer. This non-invasive and user-friendly test aims to make colorectal cancer screening fast, simple and precise. The company reports that the test is the first DNA-based screening test for colorectal cancer in Europe. Mainz recently announced significant advancements with the presentation of its highly anticipated ColoFuture Study results. Originally slated for presentation at the 4th International Conference on Gastroenterology in Paris, the event has been rescheduled from October to December, and Mainz Biomed, in collaboration with the Conference leadership, decided to align the release of the ColoFuture results with the original conference timeline. The ColoFuture study, a comprehensive multinational clinical trial, evaluated the potential integration of innovative gene expression biomarkers (mRNA) into the company's cutting-edge screening test for colorectal cancer (CRC) called ColoAlert. The company reports that this test, which is currently being introduced to markets across Europe and select international regions, has proven to be highly effective and user-friendly. The groundbreaking study results that were presented showcased the following findings: a 94% sensitivity for colorectal cancer (CRC), 97% specificity, and an 80% sensitivity for advanced adenoma (AA). These outcomes reinforce Mainz Biomed's commitment to delivering innovative advancements in cancer detection, and the company reports that they beat competitors whose AA hovers around the 40% number. As the company looks towards the future, it seems to be dedicated to enhancing its portfolio of diagnostic solutions and expanding its presence in global markets. Mainz Biomed also recently announced Tarrin Khairi-Taraki as the Vice President of Commercial Operations, EMEA. Tarrin’s appointment marks an important milestone in Mainz Biomed’s journey towards continued success. As Vice President, Tarrin will be tasked with the commercialization of the company's flagship product, ColoAlert. In his new role, Tarrin will bring his vast expertise and experience to Mainz Biomed's global teams, with a particular focus on driving sales growth and expanding the company's footprint throughout the EMEA region. With his successful track record in sales management and commercial operations at leading life sciences organizations like Alutia (NASDAW: ELUT), Tarrin is poised to advance the company's strategic goals by identifying and executing new market opportunities. His leadership will be instrumental in accelerating Mainz Biomed's growth trajectory and enhancing its impact on the global cancer detection market. “I am thrilled to welcome Tarrin to the Mainz Biomed team,” commented Darin Leigh, Chief Commercial Officer at Mainz Biomed. “With his highly-impressive track record and wealth of experience in the medical diagnostic field, I am confident he’ll play a crucial role in propelling our continued success in the commercialization of ColoAlert®.” With the appointment of Tarrin and the release of data showing efficacy, Mainz Biomed seems poised to disrupt the market and establish itself as a trusted and innovative provider of molecular genetic diagnostic solutions. The company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of diagnostic technology and growth trajectory seems to be making it a force to be reckoned with in the industry, setting it apart from its competitors. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 08, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

HKBU-led research discovers therapeutic potential of hyodeoxycholic acid for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 8 November 2023 - A research led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has discovered that hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA), a bile acid generated in human intestine, can reduce fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver, demonstrating its strong therapeutic potential for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The research also found that HDCA's intervention in NAFLD works by reshaping the population of beneficial gut bacteria, which affects the metabolic interactions between the gut and the liver. The result highlighted the critical role of gut health in liver disease. The research findings have been published in the renowned scientific journal Cell Metabolism. HKBU researchers will coordinate a phase I and II clinical trial in the Mainland to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HDCA for patients with fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. 32% of adults suffer from NAFLD NAFLD is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, characterised by the build-up of excessive fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol consumption. Its global prevalence has been increasing over time. A meta-analysis in 2022 estimated that 32% of the adult population is affected by NAFLD. Some people with NAFLD can develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which is marked by liver inflammation and may progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. Currently, there are no therapeutic drugs available for sale on the market for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. A research led by Professor Jia Wei, Acting Dean and Chair Professor in Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, discovered that HDCA offers promising potential as a pharmaceutical intervention for NAFLD. "Our research is a significant stride forward in understanding the pathophysiology of NAFLD, and it offers a potential new avenue for therapeutic intervention," he said. Therapeutic effects of HDCA Professor Jia's team found that individuals with NAFLD have lower levels of HDCA compared to those without NAFLD. In a cohort consisting of 178 patients with NAFLD and 73 healthy individuals, hyocholic acid species, including HDCA and its major metabolite glycohyodeoxycholic acid, comprises 0.5% of the bile acids in NAFLD patients, which is significantly lower than the 2% in healthy individuals. This observation led the team to explore HDCA's potential therapeutic role. A series of controlled experiments were conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HDCA. The team orally fed HDCA to mouse models with NAFLD for eight weeks. The results showed that HDCA markedly reduced excessive lipid droplets, and improved hepatic inflammation, oral glucose tolerance (i.e. the blood glucose level after oral intake of glucose), and insulin sensitivity (i.e. the sensitivity of the body to the effects of insulin which helps the glucose to enter into the cells for use) compared to the control group. The results revealed that HDCA alleviated NAFLD conditions and the risk factors of NAFLD such as type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Interestingly, the researchers found that HDCA did not exert its therapeutic effects on NAFLD by directly targeting liver cells. They evaluated the potential direct effect of HDCA on lipid accumulation in a mouse model. The results showed that lipid accumulation was barely affected by the HDCA. They hypothesised that HDCA induced gut microbiota alterations, which might contribute to the alleviation of NAFLD. HDCA reshapes gut microbiota The researchers observed that HDCA could improve the population of beneficial gut bacteria. Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis), a member of the core microbiome in the human gut, sharply increased in the mouse model fed with high-fat food and administered with HDCA, compared with the control group fed with high-fat food only. The results revealed that HDCA provided a favorable environment for the thriving of P. distasonis, which regulates fatty acid metabolism as well as the hepatic bile acid synthesis pathways. "The study underscores the crucial role of the gut-liver metabolic axis in disease management. We hope that the research findings on HDCA and the clinical trial to be conducted in the Mainland will provide more insights into the treatment of fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis," said Professor Jia. Professor Jia has also led a research project investigating the molecular connections between metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with a specific focus on host-gut microbiota interactions. The project has been awarded over HK$7.2 million in research funding from the Theme-based Research Scheme (13th round) under the Research Grants Council. Contact Details Christina Wu christinawu@hkbu.edu.hk

November 08, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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