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Li X, Li M. Unlocking Cholesterol Metabolism in Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Molecular Targets and Natural Product Interventions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1073. [PMID: 39204178 PMCID: PMC11358954 DOI: 10.3390/ph17081073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, represents a growing global health concern. The intricate pathogenesis of MASLD, driven by genetic, metabolic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, leads to considerable clinical variability. Dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, particularly cholesterol homeostasis, is a critical factor in the progression of MASLD and its more severe form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This review elucidates the multifaceted roles of cholesterol metabolism in MASLD, focusing on its absorption, transportation, biosynthesis, efflux, and conversion. We highlight recent advancements in understanding these processes and explore the therapeutic potential of natural products such as curcumin, berberine, and resveratrol in modulating cholesterol metabolism. By targeting key molecular pathways, these natural products offer promising strategies for MASLD management. Finally, this review also covers the clinical studies of natural products in MASLD, providing new insights for future research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meng Li
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China;
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Luo L, Guo Y, Chen L, Zhu J, Li C. Crosstalk between cholesterol metabolism and psoriatic inflammation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1124786. [PMID: 37234169 PMCID: PMC10206135 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1124786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic autoinflammatory skin disease associated with multiple comorbidities, with a prevalence ranging from 2 to 3% in the general population. Decades of preclinical and clinical studies have revealed that alterations in cholesterol and lipid metabolism are strongly associated with psoriasis. Cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-17), which are important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, have been shown to affect cholesterol and lipid metabolism. Cholesterol metabolites and metabolic enzymes, on the other hand, influence not only the biofunction of keratinocytes (a primary type of cell in the epidermis) in psoriasis, but also the immune response and inflammation. However, the relationship between cholesterol metabolism and psoriasis has not been thoroughly reviewed. This review mainly focuses on cholesterol metabolism disturbances in psoriasis and their crosstalk with psoriatic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Luo
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital for Skin Disease, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Youming Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital for Skin Disease, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lihao Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital for Skin Disease, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital for Skin Disease, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chengrang Li
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital for Skin Disease, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Dermatology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Gu J, Zhu N, Li HF, Zhang CJ, Gong YZ, Liao DF, Qin L. Ezetimibe and Cancer: Is There a Connection? Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:831657. [PMID: 35924044 PMCID: PMC9340271 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.831657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The high level of serum cholesterol caused by the excessive absorption of cholesterol can lead to hypercholesteremia, thus promoting the occurrence and development of cancer. Ezetimibe is a drug that reduces cholesterol absorption and has been widely used for the treatment of patients with high circulating cholesterol levels for many years. Mechanistically, ezetimibe works by binding to NPC1L1, which is a key mediator of cholesterol absorption. Accumulating data from preclinical models have shown that ezetimibe alone could inhibit the development and progression of cancer through a variety of mechanisms, including anti-angiogenesis, stem cell suppression, anti-inflammation, immune enhancement and anti-proliferation. In the past decade, there has been heated discussion on whether ezetimibe combined with statins will increase the risk of cancer. At present, more and more evidence shows that ezetimibe does not increase the risk of cancers, which supports the role of ezetimibe in anti-cancer. In this review, we discussed the latest progress in the anti-cancer properties of ezetimibe and elucidated its underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we highlighted the potential of ezetimibe as a therapeutic agent in future cancer treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Gu
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and its Application, HunanUniversity of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Neng Zhu
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Hong-Fang Li
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and its Application, HunanUniversity of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Chan-Juan Zhang
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and its Application, HunanUniversity of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yong-Zhen Gong
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and its Application, HunanUniversity of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Duan-Fang Liao
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and its Application, HunanUniversity of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Li Qin
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and its Application, HunanUniversity of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
- Institutional Key Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Translational Medicine in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Hunan Province Engineering Research Center of Bioactive Substance Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Li Qin,
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Tzanaki I, Agouridis AP, Kostapanos MS. Is there a role of lipid-lowering therapies in the management of fatty liver disease? World J Hepatol 2022; 14:119-139. [PMID: 35126843 PMCID: PMC8790403 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i1.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherogenic dyslipidemia is characterized by increased triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. It is highly prevalent in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and contributes to the increased cardiovascular risk associated with this condition. Alongside insulin resistance it plays an important pathogenetic role in NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) development and progression. It has been shown that cholesterol-lowering reduces cardiovascular risk more in NAFLD vs non-NAFLD high-risk individuals. This evidence highlights the importance of effective lipid modulation in NAFLD. In this narrative review the effects of the most commonly used lipid-lowering therapies on liver outcomes alongside their therapeutic implications in NAFLD/NASH are critically discussed. Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that statins reduce hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD/NASH. Most data are derived from observational and small prospective clinical studies using changes in liver enzyme activities, steatosis/fibrosis scores, and imaging evidence of steatosis as surrogates. Also, relevant histologic benefits were noted in small biopsy studies. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin showed greater benefits, whereas data for other statins are scarce and sometimes conflicting. Similar studies to those of statins showed efficacy of ezetimibe against hepatic steatosis. However, no significant anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions of ezetimibe have been shown. Preclinical studies showed that fibrates through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α activation may have a role in NAFLD prevention and management. Nevertheless, no relevant benefits have been noted in human studies. Species-related differences in PPARα expression and its activation responsiveness may help explain this discrepancy. Omega-3 fatty acids reduced hepatic steatosis in numerous heterogeneous studies, but their benefits on hepatic inflammation and fibrosis have not been established. Promising preliminary data for the highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid require further confirmation. Observational studies suggest that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin9 inhibitors may also have a role in the management of NAFLD, though this needs to be established by future prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismini Tzanaki
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Aris P Agouridis
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Michael S Kostapanos
- General Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge CB20QQ, United Kingdom
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Papanagnou P, Stivarou T, Papageorgiou I, Papadopoulos GE, Pappas A. Marketed drugs used for the management of hypercholesterolemia as anticancer armament. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:4393-4411. [PMID: 28932124 PMCID: PMC5598753 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s140483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of novel pharmacologic agents as well as their approval for sale in markets all over the world is a tedious and pricey process. Inevitably, oncologic patients commonly experience unwanted effects of new anticancer drugs, while the acquisition of clinical experience for these drugs is largely based on doctor–patient partnership which is not always effective. The repositioning of marketed non-antineoplastic drugs that hopefully exhibit anticancer properties into the field of oncology is a challenging option that gains ground and attracts preclinical and clinical research in an effort to override all these hindrances and minimize the risk for reduced efficacy and/or personalized toxicity. This review aims to present the anticancer properties of drugs used for the management of hypercholesterolemia. A global view of the antitumorigenicity of all marketed antihypercholesterolemic drugs is of major importance, given that atherosclerosis, which is etiologically linked to hypercholesterolemia, is a leading worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality, while hypercholesterolemia and tumorigenesis are known to be interrelated. In vitro, in vivo and clinical literature data accumulated so far outline the mechanistic basis of the antitumor function of these agents and how they could find application at the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Theodora Stivarou
- Immunology Laboratory, Immunology Department, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
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