Research Article Details
| Article ID: | A20272 |
| PMID: | 26052375 |
| Source: | World J Hepatol |
| Title: | Pathophysiological mechanisms involved in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and novel potential therapeutic targets. |
| Abstract: | Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health care problem and represents the hepatic expression of the metabolic syndrome. NAFLD is classified as non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) or simple steatosis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is characterized by the presence of steatosis and inflammation with or without fibrosis. The physiopathology of NAFL and NASH and their progression to cirrhosis involve several parallel and interrelated mechanisms, such as, insulin resistance (IR), lipotoxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, and recently the gut-liver axis interaction has been described. Incretin-based therapies could play a role in the treatment of NAFLD. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an intestinal mucosa-derived hormone which is secreted into the bloodstream in response to nutrient ingestion; it favors glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, inhibition of postprandial glucagon secretion and delayed gastric emptying. It also promotes weight loss and is involved in lipid metabolism. Once secreted, GLP-1 is quickly degraded by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Therefore, DPP-4 inhibitors are able to extend the activity of GLP-1. Currently, GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors represent attractive options for the treatment of NAFLD and NASH. The modulation of lipid and glucose metabolism through nuclear receptors, such as the farsenoid X receptor, also constitutes an attractive therapeutic target. Obeticholic acid is a potent activator of the farnesoid X nuclear receptor and reduces liver fat content and fibrosis in animal models. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a hydrophilic bile acid with immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic properties. UDCA can improve IR and modulate lipid metabolism through its interaction with nuclear receptors such as, TGR5, farnesoid X receptor-α, or the small heterodimeric partner. Finally, pharmacologic modulation of the gut microbiota could have a role in the therapy of NAFLD and NASH. Probiotics prevent bacterial translocation and epithelial invasion, inhibit mucosal adherence by bacteria, and stimulate host immunity. In animal models, probiotics prevent obesity, decrease transaminase levels, and improve IR and liver histology in NASH. |
| DOI: | 10.4254/wjh.v7.i10.1297 |
| Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
| S02 | Enhance lipid metabolism | triglyceride-lowering; lipid tolerance; lipid metabolism | 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) inhibitor; Decreases intestinal cholesterol absorption; FXR agonist; ACC inhibitor; FAS inhibitor; DGAT2 inhibitor; SCD-1 inhibitor | Atorvastatin; Ezetimibe; Obeticholic Acid; GS-9674; GS-0976; TVB-2640; IONIS-DGAT2rx; Aramchol; | Details |
| S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | Details |
| S04 | Anti-oxidative stress | oxidative stress | α-tocopherol: antioxidant | Vitamin E | Details |
| S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
| S06 | Regulating intestinal flora | intestine gut microbiota; gut microbiota | farnesoid X receptor (FXR); fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF19) | Probiotics; Prebiotics; Rifaximin; Yaq-001; Cilofexor; EDP-305; EYP001a; INT-767 | Details |
| S08 | Lifestyle measures | Lifestyle intervention; weight loss; diet adaptation; dietary interventions; lifestyle modifications; Exercise | -- | -- | Details |
| Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
| I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
| Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D010 | Amoxicillin | Chemical drug | DB01060 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D316 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine | Chemical drug | DB00118 | GNMT cofactor | Antiviral | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D248 | Obeticholic Acid | Chemical drug | DB05990 | NR1H4 activator; NR1H4 agonist; FXR agonist | Enhance lipid metabolism | Approval rejected | Details |
| D155 | Glucagon | Biological drug | DB00040 | GCGR agonist | Antidiabetic drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D284 | Probiotic | Supplement | -- | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D381 | Ursodeoxycholic acid | Chemical drug | DB01586 | AKR1C2 inducer | Anti-inflammatory | Under clinical trials | Details |