Research Article Details
Article ID: | A27936 |
PMID: | 16950832 |
Source: | Gut |
Title: | The role of the nuclear receptor constitutive androstane receptor in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common liver injury, but the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remain unclear. The pathological roles of the nuclear receptor constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a key regulator of drug-metabolising enzymes, in the development of NASH were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: CAR(+/+) and CAR(-/-) mice were given a methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet to establish a dietary model of NASH. Increases in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and in infiltration of inflammatory cells were dominant in CAR(+/+) mice at 8 weeks. There was no significant difference in the lipid concentration of the liver - namely, the first hit between CAR(+/+) and CAR(-/-) mice. The index of lipid peroxidation increased in liver of the CAR(+/+) mice, as demonstrated by 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (F2-isoprostanes). Western blotting analysis showed that nuclear translocation of CAR occurred in CAR(+/+) mice fed the MCD diet. As a result, the CAR activation caused the lipid peroxidation - namely, the second hit. The expressions of cytochrome P450 (CYP)2B10, 2C29, 3A11 all increased considerably in the CAR(+/+) mice. Furthermore, alpha smooth muscle actin immunohistochemistry and Sirius red staining showed an increase in the degree of fibrosis in CAR(+/+) mice fed the MCD diet at 16 weeks. The mRNA expressions of collagen alpha1(1) and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 were found to be elevated in CAR(+/+) mice. CONCLUSION: CAR caused the worsening of the hepatic injury and fibrosis in the dietary model of NASH. Our results suggest that the CAR nuclear receptor may thus play a critical role in the pathogenesis of NASH. |
DOI: | 10.1136/gut.2006.093260 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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 |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class |
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Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D199 | L-alanine | Chemical drug | DB00160 | KYNU | -- | Failed in clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D075 | Choline | Supplement | DB00122 | PLD2 product of; PLD1 product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D248 | Obeticholic Acid | Chemical drug | DB05990 | NR1H4 activator; NR1H4 agonist; FXR agonist | Enhance lipid metabolism | Approval rejected | Details |
D316 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine | Chemical drug | DB00118 | GNMT cofactor | Antiviral | Under clinical trials | Details |