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Makri ES, Makri E, Goulas A, Xanthopoulos K, Polyzos SA. Animal studies of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Ann Gastroenterol 2024; 37:280-290. [PMID: 38779641 PMCID: PMC11107411 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2024.0884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered one of the most common chronic liver diseases. Modern lifestyle, characterized by increasing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has led to a "pandemic" of NAFLD that imposes a personal health and socioeconomic burden. Apart from overnutrition and insulin resistance, various metabolic aberrations, gut microbiota and genetic predispositions are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The multifactorial nature of NAFLD's pathogenesis makes the development of pharmacological therapies for patients with this disease challenging. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are antidiabetic agents that reduce blood glucose mainly by increasing its renal excretion. As T2DM is one of the major contributors to NAFLD, SGLT-2i have emerged as promising agents for the management of NAFLD. In this review, we summarize the main animal studies on SGLT-2i in models of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia S. Makri
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Evangelia S. Makri, Eleftheria Makri, Antonis Goulas, Stergios A. Polyzos)
| | - Eleftheria Makri
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Evangelia S. Makri, Eleftheria Makri, Antonis Goulas, Stergios A. Polyzos)
| | - Antonis Goulas
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Evangelia S. Makri, Eleftheria Makri, Antonis Goulas, Stergios A. Polyzos)
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Konstantinos Xanthopoulos)
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology, Thessaloniki (Konstantinos Xanthopoulos), Greece
| | - Stergios A. Polyzos
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Evangelia S. Makri, Eleftheria Makri, Antonis Goulas, Stergios A. Polyzos)
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Ong Lopez AMC, Pajimna JAT. Efficacy of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2122. [PMID: 38267513 PMCID: PMC10808406 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52603-5] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a substantial contributor to liver-related morbidity worldwide, and yet, there are no standard, universal pharmacologic therapies approved for this indication. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of SGLT-2 inhibitors in improving hepatic steatosis and hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. An extensive electronic database search was done to identify studies published from inception until December 2023, without any language restrictions. All randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors for patients with NAFLD, regardless of diabetes mellitus status, were included. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was used to assess the risk of bias of each study included. Evidence from all studies were synthesized as mean differences for continuous data, and as risk ratio for dichotomous outcomes. An inverse variance or Mantel-Haenszel test was used in conjunction with a random-effects meta-analysis model, where necessary. 18 eligible RCTs involving 1330 participants were analyzed, all of which had risk of bias ranging from low to some concerns. Significant difference in means was observed for controlled attenuation parameter (6 trials, n = 372; MD: - 10.59 dB/m, 95% CI [- 18.25, - 2.92], p = 0.007, I2 = 0%); L/S ratio (3 trials, n = 163; MD: 0.11, 95% CI [0.01, 0.21], p = 0.04, I2 = 78%); LSM (7 trials, n = 447; MD: - 0.67 kPa, 95% CI [- 1.19, - 0.16], p = 0.010, I2 = 69%); MRI-PDFF (5 trials, n = 330; MD: - 2.61%, 95% CI [- 5.05, - 0.17], p = 0.04, I2 = 78%), and FIB-4 index (10 trials, n = 648; MD: - 0.12, 95% CI [- 0.21, - 0.04], p = 0.005, I2 = 16%) after SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment as compared to controls. In conclusion, the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors may lead to slight improvement of hepatic steatosis and/or fibrosis as compared to controls in patients with NAFLD and Type 2 diabetes mellitus based on imaging and histopathology biomarkers with low to moderate certainty of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Macaire C Ong Lopez
- Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, St. Luke's Medical Center- Quezon City, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Ave, 1112, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
| | - Janine Audrei T Pajimna
- Department of Medicine, St. Luke's Medical Center-Quezon City, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Ave, 1112, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
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Li X, Peng X, Zoulikha M, Boafo GF, Magar KT, Ju Y, He W. Multifunctional nanoparticle-mediated combining therapy for human diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:1. [PMID: 38161204 PMCID: PMC10758001 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01668-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Combining existing drug therapy is essential in developing new therapeutic agents in disease prevention and treatment. In preclinical investigations, combined effect of certain known drugs has been well established in treating extensive human diseases. Attributed to synergistic effects by targeting various disease pathways and advantages, such as reduced administration dose, decreased toxicity, and alleviated drug resistance, combinatorial treatment is now being pursued by delivering therapeutic agents to combat major clinical illnesses, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Combinatorial therapy involves combining or co-delivering two or more drugs for treating a specific disease. Nanoparticle (NP)-mediated drug delivery systems, i.e., liposomal NPs, polymeric NPs and nanocrystals, are of great interest in combinatorial therapy for a wide range of disorders due to targeted drug delivery, extended drug release, and higher drug stability to avoid rapid clearance at infected areas. This review summarizes various targets of diseases, preclinical or clinically approved drug combinations and the development of multifunctional NPs for combining therapy and emphasizes combinatorial therapeutic strategies based on drug delivery for treating severe clinical diseases. Ultimately, we discuss the challenging of developing NP-codelivery and translation and provide potential approaches to address the limitations. This review offers a comprehensive overview for recent cutting-edge and challenging in developing NP-mediated combination therapy for human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 2111198, PR China
| | - Xiuju Peng
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 2111198, PR China
| | - Makhloufi Zoulikha
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 2111198, PR China
| | - George Frimpong Boafo
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, PR China
| | - Kosheli Thapa Magar
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 2111198, PR China
| | - Yanmin Ju
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 2111198, PR China.
| | - Wei He
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200443, China.
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Jin Z, Yuan Y, Zheng C, Liu S, Weng H. Effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors on liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Diabetes Complications 2023; 37:108558. [PMID: 37499274 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) has been verified to improve Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in previous clinical practice. We mainly aim to investigate the effects of SGLT2i on liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS We conducted a comprehensive literature search utilizing the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, and extracted continuous data in the form of mean and standard deviation of the difference before and after treatment. RevMan 5.3 software was used to chart the pooled forest plot and perform heterogeneity, sensitivity and subgroup analysis. This study is conducted under the protocol registered with the Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY protocol 4946, INPLASY202360058). RESULTS A total of 16 articles involving 699 patients were included. Indicators of liver fibrosis, containing Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM), Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP), Serum ferritin, Serum type 4 collagen 7s, and FIB-4 index, were found to be considerably reduced by SGLT2i medication and subgroup analysis manifested pronounced dose-dependence. Additionally, SGLT2i therapy decreased BMI, lipid buildup and insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS SGLT2 inhibitors significantly ameliorated liver fibrosis and liver fat content, improved body conditions and insulin resistance, demonstrating that SGLT2i might reduce the risk of the progression of liver fibrosis and have a positive effect on NAFLD patients with T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Jin
- Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yan Yuan
- Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chen Zheng
- Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shijian Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Child Health Advocacy Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
| | - Hongbo Weng
- Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Koureta E, Cholongitas E. Combination therapies in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease using antidiabetic and disease-specific drugs. Ann Gastroenterol 2023; 36:378-391. [PMID: 37396007 PMCID: PMC10304532 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2023.0806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common diseases in the world, affecting approximately one fourth of the worldwide population. Glucose metabolism dysregulation and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as part of the metabolic syndrome, are important factors implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Although a great deal of research has already been conducted regarding possible therapeutic medications for NAFLD/NASH, no drugs have been approved until now. Combination therapies in NAFLD seem to represent an attractive approach concerning treatment of the disease, as multiple pathophysiologic pathways contribute to the development and advance of NAFLD. In this review we discuss the impact of combining antidiabetic drugs, focusing on pioglitazone, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. We also include data from the literature concerning combinations of newer "NAFLD-specific" drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Koureta
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Cholongitas
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Camacho RC, Polidori D, Chen T, Chen B, Hsu HH, Gao B, Marella M, Lubomirski M, Beavers T, Cabrera J, Wong P, Nawrocki AR. Validation of a diet-induced Macaca fascicularis model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with dietary and pioglitazone interventions. Diabetes Obes Metab 2023; 25:1068-1079. [PMID: 36546607 DOI: 10.1111/dom.14955] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM To develop an obese, insulin-resistant cynomolgus monkey model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with fibrosis with a high fat/high cholesterol (HFHC) diet (with or without high fructose) and test its responsiveness to caloric restriction or pioglitazone. METHODS First, two groups of monkeys (n = 24/group) with histologically proven NASH and fibrosis were fed the HFHC diet for 17 weeks. The treatment group was subjected to a 40% caloric restriction (CR) and had their diet switched from the HFHC diet to a chow diet (DSCR). Paired liver biopsies were taken before and 17 weeks after DSCR. Subsets of monkeys (nine/group) had whole liver fat content assessed by MRI. Next, two groups of monkeys with histologically proven NASH and fibrosis were treated with vehicle (n = 9) or pioglitazone (n = 20) over 24 weeks. RESULTS The HFHC and DSCR groups lost 0.9% and 11.4% of body weight, respectively. After 17 weeks, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) improvement was observed in 66.7% of the DSCR group versus 12.5% of the HFHC group (P < .001). Hepatic fat was reduced to 5.2% in the DSCR group versus 23.0% in the HFHC group (P = .0001). After 24 weeks, NAS improvement was seen in 30% of the pioglitazone group versus 0% of the vehicle group (P = .08). CONCLUSIONS Both weight loss induced by DSCR and treatment with pioglitazone improve the histological features of NASH in a diet-induced cynomolgus monkey model. This model provides a translational preclinical model for testing novel NASH therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul C Camacho
- Cardiovascular Metabolism, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Polidori
- Cardiovascular Metabolism, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tao Chen
- Preclincial Sciences and Translational Safety, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Preclincial Sciences and Translational Safety, Shanghai, China
| | - Helen Han Hsu
- Preclincial Sciences and Translational Safety, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Translational Medicine and Early Development Statistics, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Mariusz Lubomirski
- Translational Medicine and Early Development Statistics, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Traymon Beavers
- Translational Medicine and Early Development Statistics, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Javier Cabrera
- Translational Medicine and Early Development Statistics, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peggy Wong
- Quantitative Sciences, Janssen R&D, Raritan, New Jersey, USA
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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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Zhou Y, Li Z, Xu M, Zhang D, Ling J, Yu P, Shen Y. O-GlycNacylation Remission Retards the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223637. [PMID: 36429065 PMCID: PMC9688300 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease spectrum associated with insulin resistance (IR), from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). O-GlcNAcylation is a posttranslational modification, regulated by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Abnormal O-GlcNAcylation plays a key role in IR, fat deposition, inflammatory injury, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis. However, the specific mechanisms and clinical treatments of O-GlcNAcylation and NAFLD are yet to be elucidated. The modification contributes to understanding the pathogenesis and development of NAFLD, thus clarifying the protective effect of O-GlcNAcylation inhibition on liver injury. In this review, the crucial role of O-GlcNAcylation in NAFLD (from NAFL to HCC) is discussed, and the effect of therapeutics on O-GlcNAcylation and its potential mechanisms on NAFLD have been highlighted. These inferences present novel insights into the pathogenesis and treatments of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Branch of Nationlal Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Zhangwang Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Minxuan Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Branch of Nationlal Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Deju Zhang
- Food and Nutritional Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - Jitao Ling
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Branch of Nationlal Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Peng Yu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Branch of Nationlal Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330006, China
- Correspondence: (P.Y.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yunfeng Shen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Branch of Nationlal Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Institute for the Study of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang 330006, China
- Correspondence: (P.Y.); (Y.S.)
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Theofilis P, Sagris M, Oikonomou E, Antonopoulos AS, Siasos G, Tsioufis K, Tousoulis D. The impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in rodents. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 111:109080. [PMID: 35908505 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibition of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) has received remarkable attention due to the beneficial effects observed in diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and kidney disease. Several mechanisms have been proposed for these pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory ones. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of SGLT2 inhibition on inflammatory markers in experimental models. METHODS A literature search was conducted to detect studies examining the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on inflammatory markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6), C reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)]. Consequently, a meta-analysis of the included studies was performed, assessing the differences in the levels of the inflammatory markers between the treatment groups as its primary outcome. Moreover, risk of bias, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were evaluated. RESULTS The systematic literature review yielded 30 studies whose meta-analysis suggested that treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor resulted in decreases of IL-6 [standardized mean difference (SMD): -1.56, 95% CI -2.06 to -1.05), CRP (SMD: -2.17, 95% CI -2.80 to -1.53), TNF-α (SMD: -1.75, 95% CI -2.14 to -1.37), and MCP-1 (SMD: -2.04, 95% CI -2.91 to -1.17). The effect on CRP and TNF-α was of lesser magnitude in cases of empagliflozin use. Moderate-to-substantial heterogeneity and possible publication bias were noted. The findings remained largely unaffected after the sensitivity analyses, the exclusion of outlying studies, and trim-and-fill analyses. CONCLUSION The present meta-analysis suggests that SGLT2 inhibition results in reduction of inflammatory markers in animal models, further validating the suggested anti-inflammatory mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Theofilis
- 1st Cardiology Department, "Hippokration" General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Sagris
- 1st Cardiology Department, "Hippokration" General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- 1st Cardiology Department, "Hippokration" General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; 3rd Cardiology Department, "Sotiria" Regional Hospital for Chest Diseases, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios S Antonopoulos
- 1st Cardiology Department, "Hippokration" General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- 1st Cardiology Department, "Hippokration" General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; 3rd Cardiology Department, "Sotiria" Regional Hospital for Chest Diseases, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Tsioufis
- 1st Cardiology Department, "Hippokration" General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Tousoulis
- 1st Cardiology Department, "Hippokration" General Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece.
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Yoneda M, Kobayashi T, Honda Y, Ogawa Y, Kessoku T, Imajo K, Nogami A, Taguri M, Kirikoshi H, Saito S, Nakajima A. Combination of tofogliflozin and pioglitazone for NAFLD: Extension to the ToPiND randomized controlled trial. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2273-2285. [PMID: 35578445 PMCID: PMC9426404 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently increased and is related to obesity and the associated surge in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndromes. This trial follows up on our previous work and forms part of the ToPiND study. We aimed to combine tofogliflozin and pioglitazone treatment for hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD and T2DM. In this open‐label, prospective, single‐center, randomized clinical trial, patients with NAFLD with T2DM and a hepatic fat fraction of ≥10% were assessed based on magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction. Eligible patients received either 20 mg tofogliflozin or 15–30 mg pioglitazone orally, once daily for 24 weeks, followed by combination therapy with both medicines for an additional 24 weeks. The effects on diabetes mellitus and hepatic steatosis were examined at baseline and after the completion of monotherapy and combination therapy. Thirty‐two eligible patients received the combination therapy of tofogliflozin and pioglitazone. The combination therapy showed additional improvement in glycated hemoglobin compared with each monotherapy group and showed improvement in steatosis, hepatic stiffness, and alanine aminotransferase levels compared with the tofogliflozin monotherapy group. Pioglitazone monotherapy–mediated increase in body weight decreased following concomitant use of tofogliflozin. The combination therapy resulted in lower triglyceride, higher high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, higher adiponectin, and higher ketone body levels. Conclusion: In addition to the additive effects of tofogliflozin and pioglitazone in patients with T2DM and NAFLD, combination therapy was suggested to reduce weight gain and induce cardioprotective effect. Further studies with more patients are needed to investigate the combination therapy of various drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Yoneda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takashi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasushi Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yuji Ogawa
- Gastroenterology Division, National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takaomi Kessoku
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kento Imajo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shin-yurigaoka General Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Asako Nogami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masataka Taguri
- Department of Data Science, Yokohama City University School of Data Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kirikoshi
- Laboratory of Physiology, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Satoru Saito
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
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SGLT-2 Inhibitors in NAFLD: Expanding Their Role beyond Diabetes and Cardioprotection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063107. [PMID: 35328527 PMCID: PMC8953901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an ‘umbrella’ term, comprising a spectrum ranging from benign, liver steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD has evolved as a major health problem in recent years. Discovering ways to prevent or delay the progression of NAFLD has become a global focus. Lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstone of NAFLD treatment, even though various pharmaceutical interventions are currently under clinical trial. Among them, sodium-glucose co-transporter type-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are emerging as promising agents. Processes regulated by SGLT-2i, such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis are all implicated in NAFLD pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the NAFLD pathophysiology, and specifically focus on the potential impact of SGLT-2i in NAFLD development and progression, providing current evidence from in vitro, animal and human studies. Given this evidence, further mechanistic studies would advance our understanding of the exact mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the potential beneficial actions of SGLT-2i in the context of NAFLD treatment.
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Abstract
Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are the latest class of antidiabetic medications. They prevent glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule to decrease blood sugar. Several animal studies revealed that SGLT-2 is profoundly involved in the inflammatory response, fibrogenesis, and regulation of numerous intracellular signaling pathways. Likewise, SGLT-2 inhibitors markedly attenuated inflammation and fibrogenesis and improved the function of damaged organ in animal studies, observational studies, and clinical trials. SGLT-2 inhibitors can decrease blood pressure and ameliorate hypertriglyceridemia and obesity. Likewise, they improve the outcome of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and ischemic heart disease. SGLT-2 inhibitors are associated with lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality as well. Meanwhile, they protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and improve micro- and macroalbuminuria. SGLT-2 inhibitors can reprogram numerous signaling pathways to improve NAFLD, cardiovascular diseases, and renal diseases. For instance, they enhance lipolysis, ketogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy while they attenuate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, lipogenesis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrogenesis. This review explains the beneficial effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on NAFLD and cardiovascular and renal diseases and dissects the underlying molecular mechanisms in detail. This narrative review explains the beneficial effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on NAFLD and cardiovascular and renal diseases using the results of latest observational studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses. Thereafter, it dissects the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the clinical effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Ala
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
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Effects of a 12-Month Treatment with Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors, and Their Combination on Oxidant and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10091379. [PMID: 34573011 PMCID: PMC8468804 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Imbalance between oxidative stress burden and antioxidant capacity is implicated in the course of atherosclerosis among type 2 diabetic patients. We addressed the effects of insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA), sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i), and their combination on levels of oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers. We recruited a total of 160 type 2 diabetics, who received insulin (n = 40), liraglutide (n = 40), empagliflozin (n = 40), or their combination (GLP-1RA+SGLT-2i) (n = 40). We measured at baseline, at 4 and at 12 months of treatment: (a) Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), (b) Malondialdehyde (MDA), (c) Reducing Power (RP), (d) 2,2¢-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical (ABTS) and (e) Total Antioxidant Capacity TAC). Dual treatment resulted in significant improvement of TBARS, MDA, and ABTS at four months compared with the other groups (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). At twelve months, all participants improved TBARS, MDA, and ABTS (p < 0.05). At 12 months, GLP1-RA and GLP-1RA+SGLT2-i provided a greater reduction of TBARS (−8.76% and −9.83%) compared with insulin or SGLT2i (−0.5% and 3.22%), (p < 0.05). GLP1-RA and GLP-1RA+SGLT-2i showed a greater reduction of MDA (−30.15% and −31.44%) compared with insulin or SGLT2i (4.72% and −3.74%), (p < 0.05). SGLT2i and GLP-1RA+SGLT2-i showed increase of ABTS (12.87% and 14.13%) compared with insulin or GLP1-RA (2.44% and −3.44%), (p < 0.05). Only combined treatment resulted in increase of TAC compared with the other groups after 12 months of treatment (p < 0.05).12-month treatment with GLP1-RA and SGLT2i resulted in reduction of biomarkers responsible for oxidative modifications and increase of antioxidant biomarker, respectively. The combination treatment was superior and additive to each separate agent and also the beneficial effects appeared earlier.
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Tobe K, Maegawa H, Nakamura I, Uno S. Effect of ipragliflozin on liver function in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: subgroup analysis of a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study (STELLA-LONG TERM). Endocr J 2021; 68:905-918. [PMID: 33827996 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej20-0765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The STELLA-LONG TERM prospective post-marketing surveillance study assessed ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This subgroup analysis of patients with liver impairment used the final 3-year results. Data on patients, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and changes in glycemic parameters and liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [γ-GTP] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) were collected, and the fatty liver index (FLI) was calculated. In the effectiveness analysis (n = 8,763), baseline liver function was normal in 2,605 patients (ALT <31/<21 U/L [men/women]) and abnormal in 3,277 (ALT ≥31/≥21 U/L). The abnormal liver function group had higher mean body weight and BMI than the normal liver function group (p < 0.001). In the safety analysis (n = 11,051), urinary tract infections, genital infections and hepatic disorders were more common in the abnormal than normal liver function group (2.25% vs. 1.07%; 1.78% vs. 1.14% and 1.85% vs. 1.01%). In the abnormal liver function group, there were significant (p < 0.001) decreases from baseline at 36 months in AST and ALT (from 38.8 and 53.7 U/L to 29.3 and 37.7 U/L, respectively), γ-GTP (from 75.4 to 51.7 U/L) and ALP (from 254.8 to 234.5 U/L), which were greater than in the normal liver function group. FLI reductions at 36 months were significant (p < 0.001) in subgroups with baseline FLI of ≥30 or ≥60. In conclusion, ipragliflozin improved liver function over 3 years in patients with impaired liver function, although ADRs occurred more frequently than in the normal liver function group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyuki Tobe
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Maegawa
- Department of Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nakamura
- Operational Excellence, Medical Affairs Japan, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tokyo, 103-8411, Japan
| | - Satoshi Uno
- Data Science, Development, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tokyo, 103-8411, Japan
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Stojsavljevic-Shapeski S, Duvnjak M, Virovic-Jukic L, Hrabar D, Smircic Duvnjak L. New Drugs on the Block-Emerging Treatments for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:51-59. [PMID: 33604255 PMCID: PMC7868699 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2020.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are at higher risk of progression to advanced stages of fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and other end-stage liver disease complications. When addressing treatment of NASH, we have limited approved options, and the mainstay of therapy is lifestyle intervention. Extensive research and revelation in the field of pathogenesis of NASH has offered new possibilities of treatment and emerging new drugs that are being tested currently in numerous preclinical and clinical trials. These drugs target almost all steps in the pathogenesis of NASH to improve insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid metabolism, to inhibit de novo lipogenesis and delivery of lipids to the liver, and to influence apoptosis, inflammation and fibrogenesis. Although NASH is a multifactorial disease, in the future we could identify the predominating pathological mechanism and, by choosing the most appropriate specific medication, tailor the treatment for every patient individually.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marko Duvnjak
- Polyclinic Duvnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Applied Health Science, Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence to: Marko Duvnjak, Polyclinic Duvnjak, Kukuljeviceva 2, Zagreb 10000, Croatia. Tel: +38-5989838930, E-mail:
| | - Lucija Virovic-Jukic
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Hrabar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lea Smircic Duvnjak
- University of Applied Health Science, Zagreb, Croatia
- Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic-UH Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
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Yabiku K. Efficacy of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Patients With Concurrent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Review of the Evidence. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:768850. [PMID: 34950104 PMCID: PMC8688740 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.768850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide, and more than half of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes concurrently present with NAFLD. There is a bidirectional pathological relationship between the two conditions, whereby NAFLD increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes contributes to and accelerates the progression of NAFLD. Furthermore, over 30% of patients with NAFLD progress to non-alcoholic liver steatohepatitis (NASH), which then increases the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its high prevalence and the potential clinical implications, the underlying pathogenesis of NAFLD has yet to be fully elucidated, and there is no consensus regarding standard diagnosis and treatment for either NALFD or NASH. As patients with both NASH and type 2 diabetes have impaired hepatic function owing to chronic inflammation and the resulting structural changes caused by hepatic fat accumulation, they face reduced options for antidiabetic treatment. SGLT-2 inhibitors inhibit glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule, with increased excretion of glucose in urine and decreased glucose levels in plasma, and their glycemia-lowering effect is insulin-independent. Several other beneficial effects have been reported for SGLT-2 inhibitors, including reduced risks of cardiovascular and renal diseases, improved blood pressure control, body weight reduction, and reductions in liver fat content. Experimental studies in mouse models have suggested that SGLT-2 inhibitors may have beneficial modulatory effects on NAFLD/NASH. Several trials in patients with type 2 diabetes have also suggested that these drugs may be useful in treating both type 2 diabetes and NAFLD or NASH. However, further research is needed to identify the mechanisms by which SGLT-2 inhibitors affect fatty liver and steatohepatitis. In this state-of-the-art review, we explore the literature on the efficacy of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes and NASH, and present arguments for and against the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in this patient population.
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Heyens LJM, Busschots D, Koek GH, Robaeys G, Francque S. Liver Fibrosis in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: From Liver Biopsy to Non-invasive Biomarkers in Diagnosis and Treatment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:615978. [PMID: 33937277 PMCID: PMC8079659 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.615978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing percentage of people have or are at risk to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide. NAFLD comprises different stadia going from isolated steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a chronic state of liver inflammation that leads to the transformation of hepatic stellate cells to myofibroblasts. These cells produce extra-cellular matrix that results in liver fibrosis. In a normal situation, fibrogenesis is a wound healing process that preserves tissue integrity. However, sustained and progressive fibrosis can become pathogenic. This process takes many years and is often asymptomatic. Therefore, patients usually present themselves with end-stage liver disease e.g., liver cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease or even hepatocellular carcinoma. Fibrosis has also been identified as the most important predictor of prognosis in patients with NAFLD. Currently, only a minority of patients with liver fibrosis are identified to be at risk and hence referred for treatment. This is not only because the disease is largely asymptomatic, but also due to the fact that currently liver biopsy is still the golden standard for accurate detection of liver fibrosis. However, performing a liver biopsy harbors some risks and requires resources and expertise, hence is not applicable in every clinical setting and is unsuitable for screening. Consequently, different non-invasive diagnostic tools, mainly based on analysis of blood or other specimens or based on imaging have been developed or are in development. In this review, we will first give an overview of the pathogenic mechanisms of the evolution from isolated steatosis to fibrosis. This serves as the basis for the subsequent discussion of the current and future diagnostic biomarkers and anti-fibrotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen J. M. Heyens
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Gastro-Enterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium
| | - Dana Busschots
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ger H. Koek
- School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Gastro-Enterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sven Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Sven Francque
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Lambrecht J, van Grunsven LA, Tacke F. Current and emerging pharmacotherapeutic interventions for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 21:1637-1650. [PMID: 32543284 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1774553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic liver disease is due to various causes of persistent liver damage and will eventually lead to the development of liver fibrosis. If no treatment is initiated, this condition may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatments comprise the elimination of the cause of injury, such as by lifestyle changes, alcohol abstinence, and antiviral agents. However, such etiology-driven therapy is often insufficient in patients with late-stage fibrosis/cirrhosis, therefore maintaining the need for efficient antifibrotic pharmacotherapeutic interventions. AREAS COVERED The authors discuss the recent advances in the development of antifibrotic drugs, which target various pathways of the fibrogenesis process, including cell death, inflammation, gut-liver axis, and myofibroblast activation. Due to the significant burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), various agents which specifically target metabolic pathways and their related receptors/ligands have been developed. For some of them, e.g., obeticholic acid, advanced stage clinical trials indicate antifibrotic efficacy in NAFLD and NASH. EXPERT OPINION Significant advances have been made in the development of novel antifibrotic pharmacotherapeutics. The authors expect that the development of combinatorial therapies, which combine compounds that target various pathways of fibrosis progression, will have a major impact as future etiology-independent therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joeri Lambrecht
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leo A van Grunsven
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medical Center , Berlin, Germany
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