New investigator: Karuna Rasineni, PhD

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Feb. 24 for UNMC's 2021 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.

• Name: Karuna Rasineni 
• Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine
• Joined UNMC: 2010 
• Hometown: Venkatadri Palli, Andhra Pradesh, India     

Research focus:   

• Alcohol-associated fatty liver disease 
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 
• Aging and its effects on alcohol-associated fatty liver disease 

Research goal: The goal of my work is to employ metabolism-centric approaches to gain a more complete understanding of metabolic hormone (ghrelin, insulin, liver expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 and adiponectin) mediated alterations in multiple pathways and organ-interactions (gut, pancreas, adipose and liver axis) to promote the development of fatty liver diseases. 

Why is research important in the world today? Hepatic steatosis, characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, is the earliest and most common pathology during the development of the two most common chronic liver diseases, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Both ALD and NAFLD are emerging public health issues globally. Nearly all patients with alcohol use disorder develop fatty liver. Additionally, about 100 million individuals in the United States are estimated to have non-alcoholic fatty liver which results from consuming a high fat/high sugar diet. Since fat accumulation is the “first hit” that leaves the liver more vulnerable to develop progressive liver injury, hepatic steatosis is a prime target for therapeutic intervention. Many times, liver transplantation is the only option available for treatment of patients with advanced liver disease. Therefore, studies that could lead to development of therapeutic strategies for treating fatty liver would be important and medically advantageous. 

My research will make a difference because: A better understanding of the role of hormone-mediated organ interaction in pathogenesis of fatty liver could help us to identify new therapeutic targets and strategies.   

The best advice I’ve ever received is: Let your work speak for you.  

Three things you may not know about me are:  

• I come from a very large agricultural family in India with 14 first cousins. 
• I like to listen to old Telegu melody songs. 
• I like to visit a new pilgrimage city during annual trips to India.