Research Article Details
Article ID: | A37897 |
PMID: | 12830008 |
Source: | Hepatology |
Title: | Hepatic gene expression in histologically progressive nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. |
Abstract: | Although the molecular basis for the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is poorly understood, insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction are physiologic hallmarks of this condition. We sought evidence of a transcriptional or pretranscriptional basis for insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction through measurement of hepatic gene expression (messenger RNA [mRNA]) using high-density synthetic oligonucleotide microarray analysis (Hu6800 GeneChip, Affymetrix, CA). Global hepatic gene expression was determined in snap-frozen liver biopsy specimens from 4 groups: (1) patients with cirrhotic-stage NASH (n = 6), (2) patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) (n = 6), (3) patients with cirrhosis secondary to primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) (n = 6), and (4) healthy controls (n = 6). Genes were considered to be expressed differentially in NASH only if there was a greater than 2-fold difference in abundance of mRNA when compared with each of the control groups. Sixteen genes were uniquely differentially expressed (4 overexpressed and 12 underexpressed) in patients with cirrhotic-stage NASH. Genes that were significantly underexpressed included genes important for maintaining mitochondrial function (copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, aldehyde oxidase, and catalase). Glucose 6-phospatase, alcohol dehydrogenase, elongation factor-TU, methylglutaryl coenzyme A (CoA), acyl CoA synthetase, oxoacyl CoA thiolase, and ubiquitin also were underexpressed in NASH. Genes that were overexpressed in NASH included complement component C3 and hepatocyte-derived fibrinogen-related protein, potentially contributing to impaired insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, these studies provide evidence for a transcriptional or pretranscriptional basis for impaired mitochondrial function (attenuated capacity for the dismutation of reactive oxygen species) and diminished insulin sensitivity (increased acute phase reactants) in patients with histologically progressive NASH. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism and the physiologic significance of these findings. |
DOI: | 10.1053/jhep.2003.50290 |

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 |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name |
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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 |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D545 | Pig placenta extract | Biological extract | -- | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D395 | Zinc | Chemical drug | DB01593 | PSPH; CCS; HDAC1 cofactor; HDAC4 cofactor; INS; UTRN; ASPA cofactor; TP73 cofactor; A2M; AGT; APOBR; APOE; APOL1; C3; C5; CFB; CFH; CFI; CLU; CP; CPN2; DSP; F12; F13B; FGA; GSN; HBB; HPR; JUP; SELENOP; TTR; VTN | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D460 | HU6 | Biological drug | -- | -- | Controlled Metabolic Accelerators | Under clinical trials | Details |
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |