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Asoka AS, Kolikkandy A, Nair B, Kamath AJ, Sethi G, Nath LR. Role of Culinary Indian Spices in the Regulation of TGF-β Signaling Pathway in Inflammation-Induced Liver Cancer. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024; 68:e2300793. [PMID: 38766929 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
SCOPE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results from various etiologies, such as Hepatitis B and C, Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disorders, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. About 80 to 90% of HCC cases possess cirrhosis, which is brought on by persistent liver inflammation. TGF-β is a multifunctional polypeptide molecule that acts as a pro-fibrogenic marker, inflammatory cytokine, immunosuppressive agent, and pro-carcinogenic growth factor during the progression of HCC. The preclinical and clinical evidence illustrates that TGF-β can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, promoting progression and hepatocyte immune evasion. Therefore, targeting the TGF-β pathway can be a promising therapeutic option against HCC. METHODS AND RESULTS We carry out a systemic analysis of eight potentially selected culinary Indian spices: Turmeric, Black pepper, Ginger, Garlic, Fenugreek, Red pepper, Clove, Cinnamon, and their bioactives in regulation of the TGF-β pathway against liver cancer. CONCLUSION Turmeric and its active constituent, curcumin, possess the highest therapeutic potential in treating inflammation-induced HCC and they also have the maximum number of ongoing in-vivo and in-vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Sarija Asoka
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Anusha Kolikkandy
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Bhagyalakshmi Nair
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Adithya J Kamath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore
| | - Lekshmi R Nath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara, P.O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
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Nouri S, Mahmoudi T, Hojjati F, Najafabadi ZN, Shafiee R, Sayedsalehi S, Dehghanitafti A, Ardalani A, Kohansal K, Rezamand G, Asadi A, Nobakht H, Dabiri R, Farahani H, Tabaeian SP, Zali MR. Insulin receptor substrate 2 gene Gly1057Asp polymorphism is a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Lab Med 2024; 55:215-219. [PMID: 37481466 DOI: 10.1093/labmed/lmad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is an emerging global chronic liver disease, has a close association with insulin resistance. We aimed to determine whether the Gly1057Asp (rs1805097) polymorphism of the insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) gene is associated with NAFLD. METHODS Using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, 135 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 135 controls underwent IRS2 genotype analysis. RESULTS Genotype and allele distributions of the IRS2 gene Gly1057Asp variant conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both the case and control groups (P > .05). The Asp/Asp genotype of IRS2 gene Gly1057Asp polymorphism compared with Gly/Gly genotype was associated with a 2.1-fold increased risk for NAFLD after adjustment for confounding factors (P = .029; odds ratio = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.23-3.97). CONCLUSION Our findings revealed for the first time that the Gly1057Asp Asp/Asp genotype of the IRS2 gene is a marker of increased NAFLD susceptibility; however, studies in other populations are required to confirm the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Nouri
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Touraj Mahmoudi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Hojjati
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Radmehr Shafiee
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Sayedsalehi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Dehghanitafti
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Ardalani
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiarash Kohansal
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Rezamand
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Colorectal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asadollah Asadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Hossein Nobakht
- Internal Medicine Department, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Reza Dabiri
- Internal Medicine Department, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hamid Farahani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Seidamir Pasha Tabaeian
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Colorectal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Wang J, Jin B, Chen Y, Chen Y, Zuo W, Huang L, Lin J, Jiang Y, Xie L, Lian X, Wang Y. Costunolide attenuates high-fat diet-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22150. [PMID: 38349256 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive disease that can further evolve towards liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the end stage. Costunolide (Cos) is a natural sesquiterpene lactone that exhibits both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, the therapeutic effect of Cos on NAFLD is not clear. In this study, we explored the potential protective effect and mechanism of Cos on NAFLD. C57BL/6 mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) to induce NAFLD. Cos was administered by gavage to observe the effect of Cos on NAFLD. We demonstrated that oral administration of Cos reduced HFD-induced hepatic fibrosis and the release of inflammatory cytokines, limiting the generation of reactive oxygen species. In vitro experiments revealed that pretreatment with Cos significantly decreased PA-induced production of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis in AML-12 cells. Mechanism study showed that the effect of Cos was correlated to the induction of Nrf-2 and inhibition of NF-κB pathways. Collectively, these findings indicated that Cos exerts hepatoprotective effect against NAFLD through blocking inflammation and oxidative stress. Our study suggested that Cos might be an effective pharmacotherapy for the treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong Wang
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo Jin
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanghao Chen
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Zuo
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijiang Huang
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianjun Lin
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongsheng Jiang
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Longteng Xie
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang Lian
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Joint Research Centre on Medicine, The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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Yang L, Ma Q, Chen J, Kong X, Yu X, Wang W. Foxa2 attenuates steatosis and inhibits the NF-κB/IKK signaling pathway in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16466. [PMID: 38084145 PMCID: PMC10710773 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Forkhead box a2 (Foxa2) is proven to be an insulin-sensitive transcriptional regulator and affects hepatic steatosis. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which Foxa2 affects nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Animal and cellular models of NAFLD were constructed using high-fat diet (HFD) feeding and oleic acid (OA) stimulation, respectively. NAFLD mice received tail vein injections of either an overexpressing negative control (oe-NC) or Foxa2 (oe-Foxa2) for four weeks. HepG2 cells were transfected with oe-NC and oe-Foxa2 for 48 h before OA stimulation. Histological changes and lipid accumulation were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining, respectively. Expression of Foxa2, NF-κB/IKK pathway proteins, lipid synthesis proteins, and fatty acid β-oxidation protein in HFD mice and OA-induced HepG2 cells was detected using western blot. Results Foxa2 expression was downregulated in HFD mice and OA-induced HepG2 cells. Foxa2 overexpression attenuated lipid accumulation and liver injury, and reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, or triglyceride in HFD mice and OA-induced HepG2 cells. Moreover, Foxa2 overexpression decreased the expression of lipid synthesis proteins and increased fatty acid β-oxidation protein expression in the liver tissues. Furthermore, overexpression of Foxa2 downregulated the expression of p-NF-κB/NF-κB and p-IKK/IKK in OA-induced HepG2 cells. Additionally, lipopolysaccharide (NF-κB/IKK pathway activator) administration reversed the downregulation of lipid synthesis proteins and the upregulation of fatty acid β-oxidation protein. Conclusion Foxa2 expression is downregulated in NAFLD. Foxa2 ameliorated hepatic steatosis and inhibited the activation of the NF-κB/IKK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Qiang Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, 940th Hospital of Joint Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jiayu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, 940th Hospital of Joint Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiangcai Kong
- Department of Gastroenterology, 940th Hospital of Joint Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaohui Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, 940th Hospital of Joint Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, 940th Hospital of Joint Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Gojani EG, Wang B, Li DP, Kovalchuk O, Kovalchuk I. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Eugenol in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Macrophages and Its Role in Preventing β-Cell Dedifferentiation and Loss Induced by High Glucose-High Lipid Conditions. Molecules 2023; 28:7619. [PMID: 38005341 PMCID: PMC10673503 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a natural immune response to injury, infection, or tissue damage. It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and promoting healing. However, when inflammation becomes chronic and uncontrolled, it can contribute to the development of various inflammatory conditions, including type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, pancreatic β-cells have to overwork and the continuous impact of a high glucose, high lipid (HG-HL) diet contributes to their loss and dedifferentiation. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of eugenol and its impact on the loss and dedifferentiation of β-cells. THP-1 macrophages were pretreated with eugenol for one hour and then exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for three hours to induce inflammation. Additionally, the second phase of NLRP3 inflammasome activation was induced by incubating the LPS-stimulated cells with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for 30 min. The results showed that eugenol reduced the expression of proinflammatory genes, such as IL-1β, IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), potentially by inhibiting the activation of transcription factors NF-κB and TYK2. Eugenol also demonstrated inhibitory effects on the levels of NLRP3 mRNA and protein and Pannexin-1 (PANX-1) activation, eventually impacting the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the production of mature IL-1β. Additionally, eugenol reduced the elevated levels of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) transcript, suggesting its role in post-transcriptional mechanisms that regulate inflammatory responses. Furthermore, eugenol effectively decreased the loss of β-cells in response to HG-HL, likely by mitigating apoptosis. It also showed promise in suppressing HG-HL-induced β-cell dedifferentiation by restoring β-cell-specific biomarkers. Further research on eugenol and its mechanisms of action could lead to the development of therapeutic interventions for inflammatory disorders and the preservation of β-cell function in the context of type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Igor Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada; (E.G.G.); (B.W.); (D.-P.L.); (O.K.)
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Morsy HM, Ahmed OM, Zoheir KMA, Abdel-Moneim A. The anticarcinogenic effect of eugenol on lung cancer induced by diethylnitrosamine/2-acetylaminofluorene in Wistar rats: insight on the mechanisms of action. Apoptosis 2023:10.1007/s10495-023-01852-2. [PMID: 37179285 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-023-01852-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to assess the ameliorative effects of eugenol and to propose the possible mechanisms of action of eugenol in diethylnitrosamine (DENA)/acetylaminofluorene (AAF)-caused lung cancer in Wistar rats. To induce lung cancer, DENA at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight (b.wt) for 2 weeks were intraperitoneally injected once each week and AAF was administered orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg b.wt. four times each week for the next 3 weeks. DENA/AAF-administered rats were orally supplemented with eugenol at a dose of 20 mg/kg b.wt administered once a day until 17 weeks starting from the 1st week of DENA administration. Lung histological lesions, including sheets of tumor cells, micropapillary adenocarcinoma, and apoptotic cells, resulting from the DENA/AAF dosage, were ameliorated by eugenol treatment. However, a significant drop in the levels of LPO in the lungs and a remarkable rise in GSH content and GPx and SOD activities were observed in DENA/AAF-administered rats treated with eugenol compared with those in DENA/AAF-administered controls. Moreover, in DENA/AAF-administered rats, eugenol supplementation significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-1β levels and mRNA expression levels of NF-κB, NF-κB p65, and MCP-1 but significantly elevated the level of Nrf2. Furthermore, the DENA/AAF-administered rats treated with eugenol exhibited a significant downregulation of Bcl-2 expression levels in addition to a significant upregulation in P53 and Bax expression levels. Otherwise, the administration of DENA/AAF elevated the protein expression level of Ki-67, and this elevation was reversed by eugenol treatment. In conclusion, eugenol has effective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, and antiproliferative properties against lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadeer M Morsy
- Physiology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, P.O. Box 62521, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Osama M Ahmed
- Physiology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, P.O. Box 62521, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
| | - Khairy M A Zoheir
- Cell Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Adel Abdel-Moneim
- Physiology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, P.O. Box 62521, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
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Pessoa J, Teixeira J. Cytoskeleton alterations in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabolism 2022; 128:155115. [PMID: 34974078 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2021.155115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to its extremely high prevalence and severity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) is a serious health and economic concern worldwide. Developing effective methods of diagnosis and therapy demands a deeper understanding of its molecular basis. One of the strategies in such an endeavor is the analysis of alterations in the morphology of liver cells. Such alterations, widely reported in NAFLD patients and disease models, are related to the cytoskeleton. Therefore, the fate of the cytoskeleton components is useful to uncover the molecular basis of NAFLD, to further design innovative approaches for its diagnosis and therapy. MAIN FINDINGS Several cytoskeleton proteins are up-regulated in liver cells of NAFLD patients. Under pathological conditions, keratin 18 is released from hepatocytes and its detection in the blood emerges as a non-invasive diagnosis tool. α-Smooth muscle actin is up-regulated in hepatic stellate cells and its down-regulation has been widely tested as a potential NALFD therapeutic approach. Other cytoskeleton proteins, such as vimentin, are also up-regulated. CONCLUSIONS NAFLD progression involves alterations in expression levels of proteins that build the liver cytoskeleton or associate with it. These findings provide a timely opportunity of developing novel approaches for NAFLD diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pessoa
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - José Teixeira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Zhang C, Yang M. Current Options and Future Directions for NAFLD and NASH Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147571. [PMID: 34299189 PMCID: PMC8306701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, with a broad spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to advanced stage of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although there are many undergoing clinical trials for NAFLD treatment, there is no currently approved treatment. NAFLD accounts as a major causing factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its incidence rises accompanying the prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Reprogramming of antidiabetic and anti-obesity medicine is a major treatment option for NAFLD and NASH. Liver inflammation and cellular death, with or without fibrosis account for the progression of NAFLD to NASH. Therefore, molecules and signaling pathways involved in hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and cell death are critically important targets for the therapy of NAFLD and NASH. In addition, the avoidance of aberrant infiltration of inflammatory cytokines by treating with CCR antagonists also provides a therapeutic option. Currently, there is an increasing number of pre-clinical and clinical trials undergoing to evaluate the effects of antidiabetic and anti-obesity drugs, antibiotics, pan-caspase inhibitors, CCR2/5 antagonists, and others on NAFLD, NASH, and liver fibrosis. Non-invasive serum diagnostic markers are developed for fulfilling the need of diagnostic testing in a large amount of NAFLD cases. Overall, a better understanding of the underlying mechanism of the pathogenesis of NAFLD is helpful to choose an optimized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunye Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Correspondence:
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