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Guixé-Muntet S, Quesada-Vázquez S, Gracia-Sancho J. Pathophysiology and therapeutic options for cirrhotic portal hypertension. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 9:646-663. [PMID: 38642564 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Portal hypertension represents the primary non-neoplastic complication of liver cirrhosis and has life-threatening consequences, such as oesophageal variceal bleeding, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. Portal hypertension occurs due to increased resistance of the cirrhotic liver vasculature to portal blood flow and is further aggravated by the hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome. Existing knowledge indicates that the profibrogenic phenotype acquired by sinusoidal cells is the initial factor leading to increased hepatic vascular tone and fibrosis, which cause increased vascular resistance and portal hypertension. Data also suggest that the phenotype of hepatic cells could be further impaired due to the altered mechanical properties of the cirrhotic liver itself, creating a deleterious cycle that worsens portal hypertension in the advanced stages of liver disease. In this Review, we discuss recent discoveries in the pathophysiology and treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension, a condition with few pharmacological treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Quesada-Vázquez
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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2
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Simbrunner B, Hofer BS, Schwabl P, Zinober K, Petrenko O, Fuchs C, Semmler G, Marculescu R, Mandorfer M, Datz C, Trauner M, Reiberger T. FXR-FGF19 signaling in the gut-liver axis is dysregulated in patients with cirrhosis and correlates with impaired intestinal defence. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:929-942. [PMID: 38332428 PMCID: PMC11126514 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10636-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Experimental studies linked dysfunctional Farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) signaling to liver disease. This study investigated key intersections of the FXR-FGF19 pathway along the gut-liver axis and their link to disease severity in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS Patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement (cohort-I n = 107, including n = 53 with concomitant liver biopsy; n = 5 healthy controls) or colonoscopy with ileum biopsy (cohort-II n = 37; n = 6 controls) were included. Hepatic and intestinal gene expression reflecting FXR activation and intestinal barrier integrity was assessed. Systemic bile acid (BA) and FGF19 levels were measured. RESULTS Systemic BA and FGF19 levels correlated significantly (r = 0.461; p < 0.001) and increased with cirrhosis severity. Hepatic SHP expression decreased in patients with cirrhosis (vs. controls; p < 0.001), indicating reduced FXR activation in the liver. Systemic FGF19 (r = -0.512, p < 0.001) and BA (r = -0.487, p < 0.001) levels correlated negatively with hepatic CYP7A1, but not SHP or CYP8B1 expression, suggesting impaired feedback signaling in the liver. In the ileum, expression of FXR, SHP and FGF19 decreased in patients with cirrhosis, and interestingly, intestinal FGF19 expression was not linked to systemic FGF19 levels. Intestinal zonula occludens-1, occludin, and alpha-5-defensin expression in the ileum correlated with SHP and decreased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis as compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS FXR-FGF19 signaling is dysregulated at essential molecular intersections along the gut-liver axis in patients with cirrhosis. Decreased FXR activation in the ileum mucosa was linked to reduced expression of intestinal barrier proteins. These human data call for further mechanistic research on interventions targeting the FXR-FGF19 pathway in patients with cirrhosis. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER NCT03267615.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt S Hofer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerstin Zinober
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oleksandr Petrenko
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Fuchs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodrig Marculescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Datz
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Oberndorf, Teaching Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
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3
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Paternostro R, Kwanten WJ, Hofer BS, Semmler G, Bagdadi A, Luzko I, Hernández-Gea V, Graupera I, García-Pagán JC, Saltini D, Indulti F, Schepis F, Moga L, Rautou PE, Llop E, Téllez L, Albillos A, Fortea JI, Puente A, Tosetti G, Primignani M, Zipprich A, Vuille-Lessard E, Berzigotti A, Taru MG, Taru V, Procopet B, Jansen C, Praktiknjo M, Gu W, Trebicka J, Ibanez-Samaniego L, Bañares R, Rivera-Esteban J, Pericas JM, Genesca J, Alvarado E, Villanueva C, Larrue H, Bureau C, Laleman W, Ardevol A, Masnou H, Vanwolleghem T, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Francque S, Reiberger T. Hepatic venous pressure gradient predicts risk of hepatic decompensation and liver-related mortality in patients with MASLD. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)00368-4. [PMID: 38823501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Portal hypertension drives hepatic decompensation and is best diagnosed by hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement. Here, we investigate the prognostic value of HVPG in MASLD-related compensated ACLD (MASLD-cACLD). METHODS This European multicentre study included patients with MASLD-cACLD characterised by HVPG at baseline. Hepatic decompensation (variceal bleeding/ascites/hepatic encephalopathy) and liver-related mortality were considered the primary events of interest. RESULTS A total of 340 patients with MASLD-cACLD (56.2% male; median age 62 [55-68] years, median MELD 8 [7-9], 71.2% with diabetes) were included. Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH: i.e., HVPG ≥10 mmHg) was found in 209 patients (61.5%). During a median follow-up of 41.5 (27.5-65.8) months, 65 patients developed hepatic decompensation with a cumulative incidence of 10.0% after 2 years (2Y) and 30.7% after 5 years (5Y) in those with MASLD-cACLD with CSPH, compared to 2.4% after 2Y and 9.4% after 5Y in patients without CSPH. Variceal bleeding did not occur without CSPH. CSPH (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 5.13; p <0.001) was associated with an increased decompensation risk and a higher HVPG remained an independent risk factor in the multivariable model (adjusted SHR per mmHg: 1.12, p <0.001). Liver-related mortality occurred in 37 patients at a cumulative incidence of 3.3% after 2Y and 21.4% after 5Y in CSPH. Without CSPH, the incidence after 5Y was 0.8%. Accordingly, a higher HVPG was also independently associated with a higher risk of liver-related death (adjusted SHR per mmHg: 1.20, p <0.001). CONCLUSION HVPG measurement is of high prognostic value in MASLD-cACLD. In patients with MASLD-cACLD without CSPH, the short-term risk of decompensation is very low and liver-related mortality is rare, while the presence of CSPH substantially increases the risk of both. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS While the incidence of compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) due to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasing worldwide, insights into the impact of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) on the risk of liver-related events in MASLD-cACLD remain limited. Based on the findings of this European multicentre study including 340 MASLD-cACLD patients, we could show that increasing HVPG values and the presence of CSPH in particular were associated with a significantly higher risk of first hepatic decompensation and liver-related mortality. In contrast, the short-term incidence of decompensation in patients with MASLD-cACLD without CSPH was low and the risk of liver-mortality remained negligible. Thus, HVPG measurements can provide important prognostic information for individualised risk stratification in MASLD-cACLD and may help facilitate the study of novel and promising treatment possibilities for MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Paternostro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wilhelmus J Kwanten
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Benedikt Silvester Hofer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ali Bagdadi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Irina Luzko
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Isabel Graupera
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Dario Saltini
- Division of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federica Indulti
- Division of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Filippo Schepis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena and University of Modena and Reggio emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucile Moga
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, Clichy, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou
- Service d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, Clichy, France
| | - Elba Llop
- Liver Unit, Hospital U, Puerta de Hierro. Universidad Autònoma de Madrid, CIBERehd, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Téllez
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Albillos
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Ignacio Fortea
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Health Research Institute Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Angela Puente
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Health Research Institute Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Giulia Tosetti
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundation IRCCS Cá Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Primignani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundation IRCCS Cá Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexander Zipprich
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Internal Medicine IV, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Elise Vuille-Lessard
- Hepatology, Inselspital, University Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine (UVCM), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Hepatology, Inselspital, University Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine (UVCM), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Madalina-Gabriela Taru
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Octavian fodor", Hepatology Department and "luliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3(rd) Medical Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad Taru
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Octavian fodor", Hepatology Department and "luliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3(rd) Medical Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan Procopet
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Octavian fodor", Hepatology Department and "luliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3(rd) Medical Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Christian Jansen
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Praktiknjo
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Wenyi Gu
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Luis Ibanez-Samaniego
- Servicio de Medicina del Aparato Digestivo. IiSGM. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Complutense. CIBERehd. Madrid. Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Servicio de Medicina del Aparato Digestivo. IiSGM. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Complutense. CIBERehd. Madrid. Spain
| | - Jesús Rivera-Esteban
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan M Pericas
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Genesca
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Edilmar Alvarado
- Servei de Patología Digestiva, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona Spain. Universitat autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Candid Villanueva
- Servei de Patología Digestiva, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona Spain. Universitat autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Helene Larrue
- Department of Hepato-gastroenterology, Purpan Hospital, CHU Toulouse, InSERM U858, University of Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier Touluse, France
| | - Christophe Bureau
- Department of Hepato-gastroenterology, Purpan Hospital, CHU Toulouse, InSERM U858, University of Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier Touluse, France
| | - Wim Laleman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alba Ardevol
- Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Helena Masnou
- Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sven Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Alrehaili BD. Unravelling the therapeutic landscape of bile acid-based therapies in gastrointestinal disorders. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2024:00936815-990000000-00080. [PMID: 38708898 DOI: 10.4103/sjg.sjg_53_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Bile acids serve as endogenous ligands for nuclear and cell membrane receptors and play a crucial role in bile acid and lipid metabolism. These detergent-like compounds promote bile flow and aid in the absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the intestine. Synthesized in the liver as end products of cholesterol catabolism, bile acids exhibit a chemical structure comprising a nucleus and a side chain featuring a carboxyl group, with diverse steric arrangements and potential polar substituents. Critical interactions occur between bile acid species and various nuclear and cell membrane receptors, including the farnesoid X receptor and G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1. This research aimed to review the literature on bile acids and their roles in treating different diseases. Currently, numerous investigations are concentrating on specific bile acid species that target nuclear receptors in the gastrointestinal system, aiming to improve the treatment of conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Given the global attention this topic has garnered from research groups, it is considered relatively new, thus anticipating some gaps or incomplete data. Bile acid species have a significant therapeutic promise, especially in their ability to activate or inhibit nuclear receptors, such as farnesoid X receptor. This research provides to offer essential information for scientists and medical practitioners interested in discovering new studies that underscore the importance of bile acids in ameliorating and impeding the progression of disorders. Furthermore, it opens avenues for previously overlooked bile acid-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandar D Alrehaili
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Pharmacy College, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
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Fleishman JS, Kumar S. Bile acid metabolism and signaling in health and disease: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:97. [PMID: 38664391 PMCID: PMC11045871 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01811-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bile acids, once considered mere dietary surfactants, now emerge as critical modulators of macronutrient (lipid, carbohydrate, protein) metabolism and the systemic pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance. Bile acid metabolism and signaling pathways play a crucial role in protecting against, or if aberrant, inducing cardiometabolic, inflammatory, and neoplastic conditions, strongly influencing health and disease. No curative treatment exists for any bile acid influenced disease, while the most promising and well-developed bile acid therapeutic was recently rejected by the FDA. Here, we provide a bottom-up approach on bile acids, mechanistically explaining their biochemistry, physiology, and pharmacology at canonical and non-canonical receptors. Using this mechanistic model of bile acids, we explain how abnormal bile acid physiology drives disease pathogenesis, emphasizing how ceramide synthesis may serve as a unifying pathogenic feature for cardiometabolic diseases. We provide an in-depth summary on pre-existing bile acid receptor modulators, explain their shortcomings, and propose solutions for how they may be remedied. Lastly, we rationalize novel targets for further translational drug discovery and provide future perspectives. Rather than dismissing bile acid therapeutics due to recent setbacks, we believe that there is immense clinical potential and a high likelihood for the future success of bile acid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S Fleishman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA.
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Wei X, Su Y, Cheng Q, Liang S, Zhang T, Duan L, Shen X, Qiu X. Herb-drug interactions of silybinin and cilofexor in beagle dogs based on pharmacokinetics by UPLC-MS/MS. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1334402. [PMID: 38389926 PMCID: PMC10883330 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1334402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: A remarkably sensitive, accurate, and efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) approach was developed as a facile and expeditious method for measuring cilofexor concentration in beagle dogs, the herb-drug interactions between silybinin and cilofexor was explored based on pharmacokinetics. Methods: The plasma sample protein of the beagles were rapidly sedimented with acetonitrile, and cilofexor and tropifexor (internal standard, ISTD) were separated by gradient elution using a 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The concentrations were detected using positive ion multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Mass transfer pairs were m/z 587.91→267.91 for cilofexor and m/z 604.08→228.03 for ISTD, respectively. A two-period self-controlled experimental design was adopted for the HDIs experiment. In the first period (Group A), six beagle dogs were orally administered cilofexor at a dose of 1 mg/kg. In the second period (Group B), silybinin (3 mg/kg) was orally administered to the six beagle dogs twice a day for seven consecutive days, after which cilofexor was orally administered. The cilofexor concentration in beagle dogs was determined, and HDIs were evaluated based on their pharmacokinetics. Results: The accuracy and precision of cilofexor were both less than 15%, and the recoveries, matrix effects, and stability met the relevant requirements. The Cmax of cilofexor in group B was 49.62% higher than that in group A, whereas the AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-∞) of cilofexor in group B were 47.85% and 48.52% higher, respectively, than those in group A. Meanwhile, the t1/2 extended from 7.84 h to 9.45 h, CL and Vz decreased in Group B. Conclusion: A novel UPLC-MS/MS approach was successfully applied for the measurement of cilofexor in beagle dog plasma. Silybinin can alter the pharmacokinetics of cilofexor in beagle dogs, thereby increasing plasma exposure to cilofexor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wei
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Yanding Su
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Qian Cheng
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Songmao Liang
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Tingping Zhang
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Lengxin Duan
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Xiuwei Shen
- Ruian People's Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangjun Qiu
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China
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Kunst RF, Bolt I, van Dasselaar RD, Nijmeijer BA, Beuers U, Oude Elferink RP, van de Graaf SF. Combined inhibition of bile salt synthesis and intestinal uptake reduces cholestatic liver damage and colonic bile salts in mice. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:100917. [PMID: 38074508 PMCID: PMC10701132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Intestine-restricted inhibitors of the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT, or ileal bile acid transporter) are approved as treatment for several inheritable forms of cholestasis but are also associated with abdominal complaints and diarrhoea. Furthermore, blocking ASBT as a single therapeutic approach may be less effective in moderate to severe cholestasis. We hypothesised that interventions that lower hepatic bile salt synthesis in addition to intestinal bile salt uptake inhibition provide added therapeutic benefit in the treatment of cholestatic disorders. Here, we test combination therapies of intestinal ASBT inhibition together with obeticholic acid (OCA), cilofexor, and the non-tumorigenic fibroblast growth factor 15 (Fgf15)/fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) analogue aldafermin in a mouse model of cholestasis. METHODS Wild-type male C57Bl6J/OlaHsd mice were fed a 0.05% 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet and received daily oral gavage with 10 mg/kg OCA, 30 mg/kg cilofexor, 10 mg/kg ASBT inhibitor (Linerixibat; ASBTi), or a combination. Alternatively, wild-type male C57Bl6J/OlaHsd mice were injected with adeno-associated virus vector serotype 8 (AAV8) to express aldafermin, to repress bile salt synthesis, or to control AAV8. During a 3-week 0.05% DDC diet, mice received daily oral gavage with 10 mg/kg ASBTi or placebo control. RESULTS Combination therapy of OCA, cilofexor, or aldafermin with ASBTi effectively reduced faecal bile salt excretion. Compared with ASBTi monotherapy, aldafermin + ASBTi further lowered plasma bile salt levels. Cilofexor + ASBTi and aldafermin + ASBTi treatment reduced plasma alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels and fibrotic liver immunohistochemistry stainings. The reduction in inflammation and fibrogenesis in mice treated with cilofexor + ASBTi or aldafermin + ASBTi was confirmed by gene expression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Combining pharmacological intestinal bile salt uptake inhibition with repression of bile salt synthesis may form an effective treatment strategy to reduce liver injury while dampening the ASBTi-induced colonic bile salt load. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Combined treatment of intestinal ASBT inhibition with repression of bile salt synthesis by farnesoid X receptor agonism (using either obeticholic acid or cilofexor) or by expression of aldafermin ameliorates liver damage in cholestatic mice. In addition, compared with ASBT inhibitor monotherapy, combination treatments lower colonic bile salt load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roni F. Kunst
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Bolt
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ulrich Beuers
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald P.J. Oude Elferink
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stan F.J. van de Graaf
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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8
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Adorini L, Trauner M. FXR agonists in NASH treatment. J Hepatol 2023; 79:1317-1331. [PMID: 37562746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a bile acid (BA)-activated nuclear receptor highly expressed in the liver and intestine, regulates the expression of genes involved in cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis, hepatic gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, inflammation and fibrosis, in addition to controlling intestinal barrier integrity, preventing bacterial translocation and maintaining gut microbiota eubiosis. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an advanced stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is characterized by hepatic steatosis, hepatocyte damage (ballooning) and inflammation, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NASH represents a major unmet medical need, but no pharmacological treatments have yet been approved. The pleiotropic mechanisms involved in NASH development offer a range of therapeutic opportunities and among them FXR activation has emerged as an established pharmacological target. Various FXR agonists with different physicochemical properties, which can be broadly classified as BA derivatives, non-BA-derived steroidal FXR agonists, non-steroidal FXR agonists, and partial FXR agonists, are in advanced clinical development. In this review we will summarize key preclinical and clinical features of the most advanced FXR agonists and critically evaluate their potential in NASH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Adorini
- Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc., 305 Madison Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960, USA.
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Fuchs CD, Sroda N, Scharnagl H, Gupta R, Minto W, Stojakovic T, Liles JT, Budas G, Hollenback D, Trauner M. Non-steroidal FXR agonist cilofexor improves cholestatic liver injury in the Mdr2-/- mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100874. [PMID: 37841639 PMCID: PMC10568427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims The nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a key regulator of hepatic bile acid (BA) and lipid metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. Here, we aimed to explore the potential of cilofexor (GS-9674), a non-steroidal FXR agonist, as a therapeutic approach for counteracting features of cholestatic liver injury by evaluating its efficacy and mechanisms in the Mdr2/Abcb4 knockout (-/-) mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. Methods FVB/N wild-type and Mdr2-/- or BALB/c wild-type and Mdr2-/- mice were treated with 0, 10, 30 or 90 mg/kg cilofexor by gavage every 24 h for 10 weeks. Serum biochemistry, gene expression profile, hydroxyproline content, and picrosirius red and F4/80 immunostaining, were investigated. Bile flow, biliary bicarbonate and BA output, and hepatic BA profile, were assessed. Results Cilofexor treatment improved serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase as well as BAs in Mdr2-/- animals. Hepatic fibrosis was improved, as reflected by the reduced picrosirius red-positive area and hydroxyproline content in liver sections of cilofexor-treated Mdr2-/- mice. Intrahepatic BA concentrations were lowered in cilofexor-treated Mdr2-/- mice, while hepatobiliary bile flow and bicarbonate output were increased. Conclusion Collectively the current data show that cilofexor treatment improves cholestatic liver injury and decreases hepatic fibrosis in the Mdr2-/- mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. Impact and implications Treatment with cilofexor, a non-steroidal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, improved histological features of sclerosing cholangitis, cholestasis and hepatic fibrosis in the Mdr2-/- mouse model. These findings indicate, that pharmacological stimulation of intestinal FXR-mediated gut-liver signaling, via fibroblast growth factor 15 (thereby reducing bile acid synthesis), may be sufficient to attenuate cholestatic liver injury in the Mdr2-/- mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis, thus arguing for potential therapeutic properties of cilofexor in cholestatic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia D. Fuchs
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Hubert Scharnagl
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Tatjana Stojakovic
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Graz, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Michael Trauner
- Hans Popper Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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10
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Abstract
Chronic liver diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or viral hepatitis are characterized by persistent inflammation and subsequent liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis critically determines long-term morbidity (for example, cirrhosis or liver cancer) and mortality in NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Inflammation represents the concerted response of various hepatic cell types to hepatocellular death and inflammatory signals, which are related to intrahepatic injury pathways or extrahepatic mediators from the gut-liver axis and the circulation. Single-cell technologies have revealed the heterogeneity of immune cell activation concerning disease states and the spatial organization within the liver, including resident and recruited macrophages, neutrophils as mediators of tissue repair, auto-aggressive features of T cells as well as various innate lymphoid cell and unconventional T cell populations. Inflammatory responses drive the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and HSC subsets, in turn, modulate immune mechanisms via chemokines and cytokines or transdifferentiate into matrix-producing myofibroblasts. Current advances in understanding the pathogenesis of inflammation and fibrosis in the liver, mainly focused on NAFLD or NASH owing to the high unmet medical need, have led to the identification of several therapeutic targets. In this Review, we summarize the inflammatory mediators and cells in the diseased liver, fibrogenic pathways and their therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hammerich
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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11
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Vitulo M, Gnodi E, Rosini G, Meneveri R, Giovannoni R, Barisani D. Current Therapeutical Approaches Targeting Lipid Metabolism in NAFLD. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12748. [PMID: 37628929 PMCID: PMC10454602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD, including nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)) is a high-prevalence disorder, affecting about 1 billion people, which can evolve to more severe conditions like cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is often concomitant with conditions of the metabolic syndrome, such as central obesity and insulin-resistance, but a specific drug able to revert NAFL and prevent its evolution towards NASH is still lacking. With the liver being a key organ in metabolic processes, the potential therapeutic strategies are many, and range from directly targeting the lipid metabolism to the prevention of tissue inflammation. However, side effects have been reported for the drugs tested up to now. In this review, different approaches to the treatment of NAFLD are presented, including newer therapies and ongoing clinical trials. Particular focus is placed on the reverse cholesterol transport system and on the agonists for nuclear factors like PPAR and FXR, but also drugs initially developed for other conditions such as incretins and thyromimetics along with validated natural compounds that have anti-inflammatory potential. This work provides an overview of the different therapeutic strategies currently being tested for NAFLD, other than, or along with, the recommendation of weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Vitulo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (E.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Elisa Gnodi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (E.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Giulia Rosini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56021 Pisa, Italy; (G.R.); (R.G.)
| | - Raffaella Meneveri
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (E.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberto Giovannoni
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56021 Pisa, Italy; (G.R.); (R.G.)
| | - Donatella Barisani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (M.V.); (E.G.); (R.M.)
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12
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Mik P, Barannikava K, Surkova P. Biased Quantification of Rat Liver Fibrosis-Meta-Analysis with Practical Recommendations and Clinical Implications. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5072. [PMID: 37568474 PMCID: PMC10420125 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155072] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
For liver fibrosis assessment, the liver biopsy is usually stained with Masson's trichrome (MT) or picrosirius red (PSR) to quantify liver connective tissue (LCT) for fibrosis scoring. However, several concerns of such semiquantitative assessments have been raised, and when searching for data on the amount of LCT in healthy rats, the results vastly differ. Regarding the ongoing reproducibility crisis in science, it is necessary to inspect the results and methods, and to design an unbiased and reproducible method of LCT assessment. We searched the Medline database using search terms related to liver fibrosis, LCT and collagen, rat strains, and staining methods. Our search identified 74 eligible rat groups in 57 studies. We found up to 170-fold differences in the amount of LCT among healthy Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats, with significant differences even within individual studies. Biased sampling and quantification probably caused the observed differences. In addition, we also found incorrect handling of liver fibrosis scoring. Assessment of LCT using stereological sampling methods (such as systematic uniform sampling) would provide us with unbiased data. Such data could eventually be used not only for the objective assessment of liver fibrosis but also for validation of noninvasive methods of the assessment of early stages of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Mik
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Center and Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Katsiaryna Barannikava
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Polina Surkova
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic
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13
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Amatya R, Lee D, Min KA, Shin MC. Pharmaceutical Strategies to Improve Druggability of Potential Drug Candidates in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1963. [PMID: 37514148 PMCID: PMC10386216 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become globally prevalent and is the leading cause of chronic liver disease. Although NAFLD is reversible without medical intervention in the early stage, the condition could be sequentially worsened to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and, eventually, cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. The progression of NAFLD is related to various factors such as genetics, pre-disposed metabolic disorders, and immunologic factors. Thankfully, to date, there have been accumulating research efforts and, as a result, different classes of potent drug candidates have been discovered. In addition, there have also been various attempts to explore pharmaceutical strategies to improve the druggability of drug candidates. In this review, we provided a brief overview of the drug candidates that have undergone clinical trials. In the latter part, strategies for developing better drugs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reeju Amatya
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju Daero, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghee Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju Daero, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Ah Min
- College of Pharmacy and Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Inje University, 197 Injero, Gimhae 50834, Republic of Korea
| | - Meong Cheol Shin
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju Daero, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
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14
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Tacke F, Puengel T, Loomba R, Friedman SL. An integrated view of anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic targets for the treatment of NASH. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00218-0. [PMID: 37061196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Successful development of treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been challenging. Because NASH and fibrosis lead to NAFLD progression towards cirrhosis and to clinical outcomes, approaches have either sought to attenuate metabolic dysregulation and cell injury, or directly target the inflammation and fibrosis that ensue. Targets for reducing the activation of inflammatory cascades include nuclear receptor agonists (thyroid hormone receptor-beta, e.g. resmetirom, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor [PPAR], e.g. lanifibranor, farnesoid X receptor [FXR], e.g. obeticholic acid), modulators of lipotoxicity (e.g. aramchol, acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors) or modification of genetic variants (e.g. PNPLA3 gene silencing). Extrahepatic inflammatory signals from circulation, adipose tissue or gut are targets of hormonal agonists (e.g. glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] like semaglutide, fibroblast growth factor [FGF]-19 or FGF21), microbiota or lifestyle (weight loss, diet, exercise) interventions. Stress signals and hepatocyte death activate immune responses engaging innate (macrophages, lymphocytes) and adaptive (auto-aggressive T-cells) mechanisms. Therapies seek to blunt immune cell activation, recruitment (chemokine receptor inhibitors) and responses (e.g. galectin 3 inhibition, anti-platelet drugs). The disease-driving pathways of NASH converge to elicit fibrosis, which is reversible. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) into matrix-producing myofibroblasts can be inhibited by antagonizing soluble factors (e.g. integrins, cytokines), cellular crosstalk (e.g. with macrophages), and agonizing nuclear receptor signaling (e.g. FXR or PPAR agonists). In advanced fibrosis, cell therapy with restorative macrophages or reprogrammed T-cells (e.g., CAR T) may accelerate repair through HSC deactivation or killing, or by enhancing matrix degradation. Heterogeneity of disease - either due to genetics or divergent disease drivers - is an obstacle to defining effective drugs for all patients with NASH that will be incrementally overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Tobias Puengel
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
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15
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Luo L, Chang Y, Sheng L. Gut-liver axis in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: From the microbial derivatives-centered perspective. Life Sci 2023; 321:121614. [PMID: 36965522 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the world's most common chronic liver diseases. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. With the deepening of research, NAFLD is considered a metabolic syndrome associated with the environment, heredity, and metabolic disorders. Recently, the close relationship between the intestinal microbiome and NAFLD has been discovered, and the theory of the "gut-liver axis" has been proposed. In short, the gut bacteria directly reach the liver via the portal vein through the damaged intestinal wall or indirectly participate in the development of NAFLD through signaling pathways mediated by their components and metabolites. This review focuses on the roles of microbiota-derived lipopolysaccharide, DNA, peptidoglycan, bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, endogenous ethanol, choline and its metabolites, indole and its derivatives, and bilirubin and its metabolites in the progression of NAFLD, which may provide significative insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment for this highly prevalent liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Luo
- Department of Drug Metabolism, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Non-Clinical Drug Metabolism and PK/PD Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Yongchun Chang
- Department of Drug Metabolism, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Non-Clinical Drug Metabolism and PK/PD Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Li Sheng
- Department of Drug Metabolism, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Non-Clinical Drug Metabolism and PK/PD Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China.
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16
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Trauner M, Chung C, Sterling K, Liu X, Lu X, Xu J, Tempany-Afdhal C, Goodman ZD, Färkkilä M, Tanaka A, Trivedi P, Kowdley KV, Bowlus CL, Levy C, Myers RP. PRIMIS: design of a pivotal, randomized, phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the nonsteroidal farnesoid X receptor agonist cilofexor in noncirrhotic patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:75. [PMID: 36922785 PMCID: PMC10015541 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02653-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic progressive liver disease leading to biliary fibrosis and cirrhosis. Cilofexor is a nonsteroidal farnesoid X receptor agonist that demonstrated significant improvements in liver biochemistry and markers of cholestasis in patients with PSC in a phase 2 study. We describe here the rationale, design, and implementation of the phase 3 PRIMIS trial, the largest placebo-controlled trial in PSC. METHODS Adults with large-duct PSC without cirrhosis are randomized 2:1 to receive oral cilofexor 100 mg once daily or placebo for up to 96 weeks during the blinded phase. Patients completing the blinded phase are eligible to receive open-label cilofexor 100 mg daily for up to 96 weeks. The primary objective is to evaluate whether cilofexor reduces the risk of fibrosis progression compared with placebo. Liver biopsy is performed at screening and Week 96 of the blinded phase for histologic assessment of fibrosis. The primary endpoint-chosen in conjunction with guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-is the proportion of patients with ≥ 1-stage increase in fibrosis according to Ludwig histologic classification at week 96. Secondary objectives include evaluation of changes in liver biochemistry, serum bile acids, liver fibrosis assessed by noninvasive methods, health-related quality of life, and safety of cilofexor. CONCLUSION The phase 3 PRIMIS study is the largest randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in PSC to date and will allow for robust evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cilofexor in noncirrhotic patients with large-duct PSC. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03890120; registered 26/03/2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Kate Sterling
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 333 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Xiangyu Liu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 333 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Xiaomin Lu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 333 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA.
| | - Jun Xu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 333 Lakeside Dr, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Clare Tempany-Afdhal
- Department of Radiology, Ferenc Jolesz National Center for Image Guided Therapy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, L1 Rm 050, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Zachary D Goodman
- Hepatic Pathology Consultation and Research, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 8110 Gatehouse Rd, Falls Church, VA, 22042, USA
| | - Martti Färkkilä
- Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1, Kaga, Itabashi-Ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Palak Trivedi
- National Institute for Health Research Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, ITM Building, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kris V Kowdley
- Liver Institute Northwest, 3216 NE 45 Pl #212, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Christopher L Bowlus
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UC Davis School of Medicine, 4150 V Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Cynthia Levy
- Schiff Center for Liver Diseases, University of Miami, Jackson Medical Towers, 1500 NW 12 Ave, Suite 1101 ET, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
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17
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Akl MG, Widenmaier SB. Immunometabolic factors contributing to obesity-linked hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1089124. [PMID: 36712976 PMCID: PMC9877434 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1089124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major public health concern that is promoted by obesity and associated liver complications. Onset and progression of HCC in obesity is a multifactorial process involving complex interactions between the metabolic and immune system, in which chronic liver damage resulting from metabolic and inflammatory insults trigger carcinogenesis-promoting gene mutations and tumor metabolism. Moreover, cell growth and proliferation of the cancerous cell, after initiation, requires interactions between various immunological and metabolic pathways that provide stress defense of the cancer cell as well as strategic cell death escape mechanisms. The heterogenic nature of HCC in addition to the various metabolic risk factors underlying HCC development have led researchers to focus on examining metabolic pathways that may contribute to HCC development. In obesity-linked HCC, oncogene-induced modifications and metabolic pathways have been identified to support anabolic demands of the growing HCC cells and combat the concomitant cell stress, coinciding with altered utilization of signaling pathways and metabolic fuels involved in glucose metabolism, macromolecule synthesis, stress defense, and redox homeostasis. In this review, we discuss metabolic insults that can underlie the transition from steatosis to steatohepatitis and from steatohepatitis to HCC as well as aberrantly regulated immunometabolic pathways that enable cancer cells to survive and proliferate in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss therapeutic modalities targeted at HCC prevention and regression. A full understanding of HCC-associated immunometabolic changes in obesity may contribute to clinical treatments that effectively target cancer metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- May G. Akl
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,Department of Physiology, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Scott B. Widenmaier
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,*Correspondence: Scott B. Widenmaier,
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18
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Felli E, Nulan Y, Selicean S, Wang C, Gracia-Sancho J, Bosch J. Emerging Therapeutic Targets for Portal Hypertension. CURRENT HEPATOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 22:51-66. [PMID: 36908849 PMCID: PMC9988810 DOI: 10.1007/s11901-023-00598-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Portal hypertension is responsible of the main complications of cirrhosis, which carries a high mortality. Recent treatments have improved prognosis, but this is still far from ideal. This paper reviews new potential therapeutic targets unveiled by advances of key pathophysiologic processes. Recent Findings Recent research highlighted the importance of suppressing etiologic factors and a safe lifestyle and outlined new mechanisms modulating portal pressure. These include intrahepatic abnormalities linked to inflammation, fibrogenesis, vascular occlusion, parenchymal extinction, and angiogenesis; impaired regeneration; increased hepatic vascular tone due to sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction with insufficient NO availability; and paracrine liver cell crosstalk. Moreover, pathways such as the gut-liver axis modulate splanchnic vasodilatation and systemic inflammation, exacerbate liver fibrosis, and are being targeted by therapy. We have summarized studies of new agents addressing these targets. Summary New agents, alone or in combination, allow acting in complementary mechanisms offering a more profound effect on portal hypertension while simultaneously limiting disease progression and favoring regression of fibrosis and of cirrhosis. Major changes in treatment paradigms are anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Felli
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yelidousi Nulan
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Selicean
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, CIBEREHD, IDIBAPS Research Institute, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Bosch
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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19
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Finney AC, Das S, Kumar D, McKinney MP, Cai B, Yurdagul A, Rom O. The interplay between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1116861. [PMID: 37200978 PMCID: PMC10185914 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1116861] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches that lower circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol significantly reduced the burden of cardiovascular disease over the last decades. However, the persistent rise in the obesity epidemic is beginning to reverse this decline. Alongside obesity, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has substantially increased in the last three decades. Currently, approximately one third of world population is affected by NAFLD. Notably, the presence of NAFLD and particularly its more severe form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), serves as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), thus, raising interest in the relationship between these two diseases. Importantly, ASCVD is the major cause of death in patients with NASH independent of traditional risk factors. Nevertheless, the pathophysiology linking NAFLD/NASH with ASCVD remains poorly understood. While dyslipidemia is a common risk factor underlying both diseases, therapies that lower circulating LDL-cholesterol are largely ineffective against NASH. While there are no approved pharmacological therapies for NASH, some of the most advanced drug candidates exacerbate atherogenic dyslipidemia, raising concerns regarding their adverse cardiovascular consequences. In this review, we address current gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms linking NAFLD/NASH and ASCVD, explore strategies to simultaneously model these diseases, evaluate emerging biomarkers that may be useful to diagnose the presence of both diseases, and discuss investigational approaches and ongoing clinical trials that potentially target both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Finney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Sandeep Das
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Dhananjay Kumar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - M. Peyton McKinney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Bishuang Cai
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, United States
| | - Arif Yurdagul
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Correspondence: Arif Yurdagul Oren Rom
| | - Oren Rom
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Correspondence: Arif Yurdagul Oren Rom
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20
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Sakiani S, Heller T, Koh C. Current and investigational drugs in early clinical development for portal hypertension. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:974182. [PMID: 36300180 PMCID: PMC9589453 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.974182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The development of portal hypertension leads to a majority of complications associated with chronic liver disease. Therefore, adequate treatment of portal hypertension is crucial in the management of such patients. Current treatment options are limited and consist mainly of medications that decrease the hyperdynamic circulation, such as non-selective beta blockers, and treatment of hypervolemia with diuretics. Despite these options, mortality rates have not improved over the last two decades. Newer, more effective treatment options are necessary to help improve survival and quality of life in these patients. Areas covered Multiple preclinical models and clinical studies have demonstrated potential efficacy of a variety of new treatment modalities. We introduce treatment options including the use of vasodilation promotors, vasoconstriction inhibitors, anticoagulants, antiangiogenics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. We examine the most recent studies for treatment options within these drug classes and offer insights as to which show the most promise in this field. Methodology Published studies that identified novel medical treatment options of portal hypertension were searched using PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). Clinical trials listed in Clinicaltrials.gov were also searched with a focus on more recent and ongoing studies, including those with completed recruitment. Searching with key terms including "portal hypertension" as well as individually searching specific treatment medications that were listed in other publications was carried out. Finally, current societal guidelines and recent review articles relevant to the management of portal hypertension were evaluated, and listed references of interest were included. Conclusion Many ongoing early phase studies demonstrate promising results and may shape the field of portal hypertension management in future. As concrete results become available, larger RCTs will be required before making definitive conclusions regarding safety and efficacy and whether or not they can be incorporated into routine clinical practice. Statins, anticoagulants, and PDE inhibitors have been among the most studied and appear to be most promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Sakiani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Theo Heller
- Liver Diseases Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Christopher Koh
- Liver Diseases Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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21
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Zhang YL, Li ZJ, Gou HZ, Song XJ, Zhang L. The gut microbiota–bile acid axis: A potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:945368. [PMID: 36189347 PMCID: PMC9519863 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.945368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis involves the proliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix on liver tissues owing to various etiologies (including viral, alcohol, immune, and metabolic factors), ultimately leading to structural and functional abnormalities in the liver. If not effectively treated, liver fibrosis, a pivotal stage in the path to chronic liver disease, can progress to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer; unfortunately, no specific clinical treatment for liver fibrosis has been established to date. In liver fibrosis cases, both the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism are disrupted. As metabolites of the gut microbiota, bile acids have been linked to the progression of liver fibrosis via various pathways, thus implying that the gut microbiota–bile acid axis might play a critical role in the progression of liver fibrosis and could be a target for its reversal. Therefore, in this review, we examined the involvement of the gut microbiota–bile acid axis in liver fibrosis progression to the end of discovering new targets for the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of chronic liver diseases, including liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lin Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Jiao Li
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong-Zhong Gou
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Song
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Zhang,
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22
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Duan S, Li X, Fan G, Liu R. Targeting bile acid signaling for the treatment of liver diseases: From bench to bed. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 152:113154. [PMID: 35653887 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver diseases and related complications have become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet effective medicine or approved treatment approach is still limited. Thus, novel therapy is urgently required to prevent or at least slow down the growing burden of liver transplantation or even death caused by malignant liver diseases. As the irreplaceable modulator of hepatic and intestinal signaling cascades, bile acids (BAs) play complex physiological as well as pathological roles in regulating energy and immune homeostasis in various liver diseases, including but not limited to metabolic diseases and cholangiopathies, making them highly attractive therapeutic targets. In the current review, recent progress in the research of enterohepatic circulation of BAs and potential therapeutic targets of BAs signaling, especially the development of currently available treatments, including agonizts of FXR and TGR5, analogs of FGF19, inhibitors of ASBT, and the regulation of gut microbiome through fecal microbiota transplantation were extensively summarized. Their protective effects, molecular mechanisms, and outcomes of clinical trials were highlighted. The structural features of these candidates and perspectives for their future development were further discussed. In conclusion, we believe that pharmacological therapies targeting BAs signaling represent promising and efficient strategies for the treatment of complex and multifactorial liver disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuni Duan
- School of Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Guifang Fan
- School of Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Runping Liu
- School of Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing 100029, China.
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23
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Teng T, Qiu S, Zhao Y, Zhao S, Sun D, Hou L, Li Y, Zhou K, Yu X, Yang C, Li Y. Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies Related to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147841. [PMID: 35887189 PMCID: PMC9322253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the most common types of chronic liver disease, is strongly correlated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and genetic components. The pathological progression of NAFLD, consisting of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and liver cirrhosis, is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes. Although patients with mild NAFL are considered to show no obvious clinical symptoms, patients with long-term NAFL may culminate in NASH and further liver fibrosis. Even though various drugs are able to improve NAFLD, there are no FDA-approved medications that directly treat NAFLD. In this paper, the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the potential therapeutic targets, and their underlying mechanisms of action were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tieshan Teng
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
- School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Shuai Qiu
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
- School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yiming Zhao
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Siyuan Zhao
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Dequan Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Lingzhu Hou
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Yihang Li
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Ke Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Xixi Yu
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Changyong Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
- School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
- Correspondence: or (C.Y.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yanzhang Li
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; (T.T.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (S.Z.); (D.S.); (L.H.); (Y.L.); (K.Z.); (X.Y.)
- Correspondence: or (C.Y.); (Y.L.)
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24
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Panzitt K, Zollner G, Marschall HU, Wagner M. Recent advances on FXR-targeting therapeutics. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 552:111678. [PMID: 35605722 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The bile acid receptor FXR has emerged as a bona fide drug target for chronic cholestatic and metabolic liver diseases, ahead of all non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). FXR is highly expressed in the liver and intestine and activation at both sites differentially contributes to its desired metabolic effects. Unrestricted FXR activation, however, also comes along with undesired effects such as a pro-atherogenic lipid profile, pruritus and hepatocellular toxicity under certain conditions. Several pre-clinical studies have confirmed the potency of FXR activation for cholestatic and metabolic liver diseases, but overall it remains still open whether selective activation of intestinal FXR is advantageous over pan-FXR activation and whether restricted or modulated FXR activation can limit some of the side effects. Even more, FXR antagonist also bear the potential as intestinal-selective drugs in NAFLD models. In this review we will discuss the molecular prerequisites for FXR activation, pan-FXR activation and intestinal FXR in/activation from a therapeutic point of view, different steroidal and non-steroidal FXR agonists, ways to restrict FXR activation and finally what we have learned from pre-clinical models and clinical trials with different FXR therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Panzitt
- Research Unit for Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gernot Zollner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hanns-Ulrich Marschall
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Wallenberg Laboratory, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin Wagner
- Research Unit for Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
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25
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Li H. Intercellular crosstalk of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dig Liver Dis 2022; 54:598-613. [PMID: 34344577 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intercellular crosstalk among various liver cells plays an important role in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) precedes fibrosis and accumulating evidence suggests that the crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells is critical in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. LSECs dysfunction, a key event in the progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis, and subsequently obstruction of hepatic sinuses and increased intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) contribute to development of portal hypertension (PHT) and cirrhosis. More importantly, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is closely related to the crosstalk between LSECs and immune liver cells like CD8+ T cells, promotes advances tumorigenesis, especially HCC. However, the connections within the crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells during the progression from liver fibrosis to cirrhosis to HCC have yet to be discussed. In this review, we first summarize the current knowledge of how different crosstalk between LSECs and other liver cells, including hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), macrophoges, immune cells in liver and extra cellular matrix (ECM) contribute to the physiological function and the progrssion from liver fibrosis to cirrhosis, or even to HCC. Then we examine current treatment strategies for LSECs crosstalk in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Central Laboratory, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, NO. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, PR China.
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26
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Jiang L, Liu X, Wei H, Dai S, Qu L, Chen X, Guo M, Chen Y. Structural insight into the molecular mechanism of cilofexor binding to the farnesoid X receptor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 595:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.01.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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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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28
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Gallo C, Howardson BO, Cristoferi L, Carbone M, Gershwin ME, Invernizzi P. An Update on Novel Pharmacological Agents for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:69-77. [PMID: 35040733 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2030707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare chronic cholestatic liver disease with heterogeneous phenotypes that may lead to liver transplantation and/or end-stage liver disease. Its multifactorial etiopathogenesis remains uncertain, but gut-liver axis and bile composition and excretion are widely demonstrated to influence the immune-mediated fibrogenic reactive cascade. AREAS COVERED : Different experimental therapeutic options are under investigation, mainly aiming at modulating bile acids excretion, limiting inflammatory-cascade reactions, and changing intestinal microbiota composition; none of them yet demonstrated to prolong transplant free survival. This review provides a comprehensive description of the experimental drugs recently tested and/or currently under investigation. A bibliographical search was performed in Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID and clinicaltrial.gov until July 2021. EXPERT OPINION : The heterogeneity and poor prevalence of PSC, its uncertain pathophysiology, and the lack of surrogate endpoints are the major challenges in drug discovery. Strategies that synergistically target microbiota, bile acids, and liver fibrosis are needed. In parallel, we must enhance biomarker discovery to develop surrogate endpoints, as biochemical markers' fluctuations over the time hamper their effectiveness. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography tools that accurately measure bile duct changes represent a potential, novel marker for disease monitoring. A collaboration between academia, research consortia, patient's associations and industry is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Gallo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Bright Oworae Howardson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Laura Cristoferi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Marco Carbone
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis California 95616 USA
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
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Nuclear Receptors in Energy Metabolism. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1390:61-82. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11836-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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30
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Rojas Á, Lara-Romero C, Muñoz-Hernández R, Gato S, Ampuero J, Romero-Gómez M. Emerging pharmacological treatment options for MAFLD. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2022; 13:20420188221142452. [PMID: 36533188 PMCID: PMC9747889 DOI: 10.1177/20420188221142452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) prevalence and incidence is rising globally. It is associated with metabolic comorbidities, obesity, overweight, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and at least two metabolic risk factors, such as hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk, increasing the risk of mortality. The excessive accumulation of fat comprises apoptosis, necrosis, inflammation and ballooning degeneration progressing to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver decompensations including hepatocellular carcinoma development. The limitation of approved drugs to prevent MAFLD progression is a paradigm. This review focuses on recent pathways and targets with evidence results in phase II/III clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Rojas
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Calle Antonio Maura Montaner s/n, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta 0 28029 Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Lara-Romero
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rocío Muñoz-Hernández
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sheila Gato
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Ampuero
- SeLiver Group, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Hepatic and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
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31
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Prasoppokakorn T, Pitisuttithum P, Treeprasertsuk S. Pharmacological Therapeutics: Current Trends for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:939-946. [PMID: 34966657 PMCID: PMC8666366 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new term from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is a positive diagnosis based on histopathology, imaging, or blood biomarkers. MAFLD is one of the common causes of liver dysfunction worldwide, likely due to the increase in metabolic syndrome as well as the high burden of disease and its relationship to other extrahepatic conditions. However, effective pharmacological therapeutic agents are still lacking; current management largely focuses on weight reduction and lifestyle modification. The purpose of this review was to summarize the updated evidence of novel therapies targeting different pathogenetic pathways in MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaninee Prasoppokakorn
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panyavee Pitisuttithum
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sombat Treeprasertsuk
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Correspondence to: Sombat Treeprasertsuk, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, 1873 Rama 4 Road, Pathumwan district, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6459-8329. Tel: +66-2-256-4265, Fax: +66-2-252-7839, +66-2-652-4219, E-mail: ,
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32
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Yang M, Khoukaz L, Qi X, Kimchi ET, Staveley-O’Carroll KF, Li G. Diet and Gut Microbiota Interaction-Derived Metabolites and Intrahepatic Immune Response in NAFLD Development and Treatment. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121893. [PMID: 34944709 PMCID: PMC8698669 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with pathogenesis ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to the advanced form of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) affects about 25% of the global population. NAFLD is a chronic liver disease associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, which is the most increasing factor that causes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although advanced progress has been made in exploring the pathogenesis of NAFLD and penitential therapeutic targets, no therapeutic agent has been approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. Gut microbiota-derived components and metabolites play pivotal roles in shaping intrahepatic immunity during the progression of NAFLD or NASH. With the advance of techniques, such as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), each subtype of immune cells in the liver has been studied to explore their roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. In addition, new molecules involved in gut microbiota-mediated effects on NAFLD are found. Based on these findings, we first summarized the interaction of diet-gut microbiota-derived metabolites and activation of intrahepatic immunity during NAFLD development and progression. Treatment options by targeting gut microbiota and important molecular signaling pathways are then discussed. Finally, undergoing clinical trials are selected to present the potential application of treatments against NAFLD or NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (L.K.); (X.Q.); (E.T.K.)
| | - Lea Khoukaz
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (L.K.); (X.Q.); (E.T.K.)
| | - Xiaoqiang Qi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (L.K.); (X.Q.); (E.T.K.)
| | - Eric T. Kimchi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (L.K.); (X.Q.); (E.T.K.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Kevin F. Staveley-O’Carroll
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (L.K.); (X.Q.); (E.T.K.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Correspondence: (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
| | - Guangfu Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.Y.); (L.K.); (X.Q.); (E.T.K.)
- Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Correspondence: (K.F.S.-O.); (G.L.)
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33
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Polyzos SA, Xanthopulos K, Kountouras J. Cilofexor for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2021; 20:111-113. [PMID: 34886776 DOI: 10.2174/1570161119666211209161023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stergios A Polyzos
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki. Greece
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki. Greece
| | - Jannis Kountouras
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki. Greece
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34
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Floreani A, De Martin S. Treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Dig Liver Dis 2021; 53:1531-1538. [PMID: 34011480 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by progressive fibro-stenotic strictures and destruction of the biliary tree. Currently, there is no effective treatment which can delay its progression or ameliorate the transplant-free survival. Moreover, a major chontroversy in PSC is whether to use UDCA. More recently, novel pharmacological agents emerged aiming at: i) modulation of bile composition; ii) immunomodulation; iii) targeting the gut microbiome; iv) targeting fibrosis. Successful PSC therapy, however, will be most likely a personalized combination of different drugs plus endoscopic treatment. This review aims at offering an overview on the experimental pharmacological strategies currently exploited for PSC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarosa Floreani
- Scientific Consultant, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Negrar, Verona, Italy; Senior Scholar, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
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35
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Simbrunner B, Trauner M, Reiberger T. Review article: therapeutic aspects of bile acid signalling in the gut-liver axis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2021; 54:1243-1262. [PMID: 34555862 PMCID: PMC9290708 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bile acids are important endocrine modulators of intestinal and hepatic signalling cascades orchestrating critical pathophysiological processes in various liver diseases. Increasing knowledge on bile acid signalling has stimulated the development of synthetic ligands of nuclear bile acid receptors and other bile acid analogues. AIM This review summarises important aspects of bile acid-mediated crosstalk between the gut and the liver ("gut-liver axis") as well as recent findings from experimental and clinical studies. METHODS We performed a literature review on bile acid signalling, and therapeutic applications in chronic liver disease. RESULTS Intestinal and hepatic bile acid signalling pathways maintain bile acid homeostasis. Perturbations of bile acid-mediated gut-liver crosstalk dysregulate transcriptional networks involved in inflammation, fibrosis and endothelial dysfunction. Bile acids induce enterohepatic feedback signalling by the release of intestinal hormones, and regulate enterohepatic circulation. Importantly, bile acid signalling plays a central role in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and antibacterial defense, which is particularly relevant in cirrhosis, where bacterial translocation has a profound impact on disease progression. The nuclear bile acid farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a central intersection in bile acid signalling and has emerged as a relevant therapeutic target. CONCLUSIONS Experimental evidence suggests that bile acid signalling improves the intestinal barrier and protects against bacterial translocation in cirrhosis. FXR agonists have displayed efficacy for the treatment of cholestatic and metabolic liver disease in randomised controlled clinical trials. However, similar effects remain to be shown in advanced liver disease, particularly in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Christian‐Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver FibrosisMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Christian‐Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver FibrosisMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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36
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Abstract
Antifibrotic therapies for the treatment of liver fibrosis represent an unconquered area of drug development. The significant involvement of the gut microbiota as a driving force in a multitude of liver disease, be it pathogenesis or fibrotic progression, suggest that targeting the gut–liver axis, relevant signaling pathways, and/or manipulation of the gut’s commensal microbial composition and its metabolites may offer opportunities for biomarker discovery, novel therapies and personalized medicine development. Here, we review potential links between bacterial translocation and deficits of host-microbiome compartmentalization and liver fibrosis that occur in settings of advanced chronic liver disease. We discuss established and emerging therapeutic strategies, translated from our current knowledge of the gut–liver axis, targeted at restoring intestinal eubiosis, ameliorating hepatic fibrosis and rising portal hypertension that characterize and define the course of decompensated cirrhosis.
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37
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Orozco-Aguilar J, Simon F, Cabello-Verrugio C. Redox-Dependent Effects in the Physiopathological Role of Bile Acids. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:4847941. [PMID: 34527174 PMCID: PMC8437588 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4847941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bile acids (BA) are recognized by their role in nutrient absorption. However, there is growing evidence that BA also have endocrine and metabolic functions. Besides, the steroidal-derived structure gives BA a toxic potential over the biological membrane. Thus, cholestatic disorders, characterized by elevated BA on the liver and serum, are a significant cause of liver transplant and extrahepatic complications, such as skeletal muscle, central nervous system (CNS), heart, and placenta. Further, the BA have an essential role in cellular damage, mediating processes such as membrane disruption, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. The purpose of this review is to describe the BA and their role on hepatic and extrahepatic complications in cholestatic diseases, focusing on the association between BA and the generation of oxidative stress that mediates tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Orozco-Aguilar
- Laboratory of Muscle Pathology, Fragility, and Aging, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370146, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8370146, Chile
- Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA), Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 8350709, Chile
| | - Felipe Simon
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8370146, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus of Ion Channel-Associated Diseases (MiNICAD), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8370146, Chile
- Laboratory of Integrative Physiopathology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370146, Chile
| | - Claudio Cabello-Verrugio
- Laboratory of Muscle Pathology, Fragility, and Aging, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370146, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago 8370146, Chile
- Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA), Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 8350709, Chile
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38
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Fallowfield JA, Jimenez-Ramos M, Robertson A. Emerging synthetic drugs for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2021; 26:149-163. [PMID: 33856246 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2021.1918099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The number of deaths and prevalent cases of cirrhosis are increasing worldwide, but there are no licensed antifibrotic or pro-regenerative medicines and liver transplantation is a limited resource. Cirrhosis is characterized by extreme liver fibrosis, organ dysfunction, and complications related to portal hypertension. Advances in our understanding of liver fibrosis progression and regression following successful etiological therapy betray vulnerabilities in common and disease-specific mechanisms that could be targeted pharmacologically.Area covered: This review summarizes the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of cirrhosis as a preface to discussion of the current drug development landscape. The dominant indication for global pharma R&D pipelines is cirrhosis related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We searched Clinicaltrials.gov, GlobalData, Pharmaprojects and PubMed for pertinent information on emerging synthetic drugs for cirrhosis, with a focus on compounds listed in phase 2 and phase 3 trials.Expert opinion: Although cirrhosis can regress following successful etiological treatment, there are no specific antifibrotic or pro-regenerative drugs approved for this condition. Obstacles to drug development in cirrhosis include intrinsic biological factors, a heterogeneous patient population, and lack of acceptable surrogate endpoints. Nevertheless, several synthetic drugs are being evaluated in clinical trials and the NASH field is rapidly embracing a drug combination approach.
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