[Incretin as a Novel Treatment Strategy for NAFLD/NASH]

GLP-1 mimetics as a potential therapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is characterized by liver steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular injury and different degrees of fibrosis. The pathogenesis of NASH is complex and multifactorial, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been implicated as major risk factors. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is one of the most successful drug targets of T2DM and obesity, and its peptidic ligands have been proposed as potential therapeutic agents for NASH. In this article we provide an overview of the pathophysiology and management of NASH, with a special focus on the pharmacological effects and possible mechanisms of GLP-1 mimetics in treating NAFLD/NASH, including dual and triple agonists at GLP-1R, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor or glucagon receptor.

Based on network pharmacology method to discovered the targets and therapeutic mechanism of Paederia scandens against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in chicken

The aim of the study is to determine the target of Paeteria scandens in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The Chinese herbal medicine pharmacology data and analysis platform were used to search and screen for the effective components of the Paeteria scandens compounds and to analyze the possible therapeutic targets based on network topology. In addition, various known disease target databases were enrolled, the therapeutic target proteins in NAFLD were screened, and a protein-protein interaction network was constructed. Enrichment analysis was performed on key nodes. Finally, the inhibitory effect of Paeteria scandens on NAFLD was verified by experiments. We identified 33 major candidate targets of Paeteria scandens and successfully constructed a "drug-compound-target-disease" network. Abovementioned targets revealed by gene enrichment analysis have played a significant role in the cell cycle, apoptosis, and related signal pathways. We demonstrated that Paeteria scandens downregulated serum triglyceride and lipopolysaccharides levels in NAFLD chickens by feeding with a high-capacity diet and endotoxin of Salmonella enteritidis was given by gavage. Paeteria scandens may regulate the hepatic cell cycle and apoptosis through the Salmonella infection pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and apoptosis pathway. For NAFLD, Paeteria scandens may be a promising, long-lasting treatment strategy.