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Review
. 2022 Apr 14;10(4):901.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10040901.

Potential Therapeutic Targets and Promising Agents for Combating NAFLD

Atsushi Umemura  1   2 , Seita Kataoka  2 , Keiichiro Okuda  2 , Yuya Seko  2 , Kanji Yamaguchi  2 , Michihisa Moriguchi  2 , Takeshi Okanoue  3 , Yoshito Itoh  2
Affiliations
Review

Potential Therapeutic Targets and Promising Agents for Combating NAFLD

Atsushi Umemura et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a growing cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide because of the global increases in obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Contrary to the advancements in therapies for viral hepatitis, effective treatments remain unestablished for patients with NAFLD. NAFLD, including NASH, is characterized by steatosis, inflammation, hepatic necrosis, and fibrosis. Despite our understanding of its pathophysiology, there are currently no effective treatments for NAFLD. In this review, we provide an update on the known pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of NAFLD and the role of hepatic stellate cells, and summarize the potential therapeutic agents, including natural products, for NAFLD.

Keywords: HCC; HSC; NAFLD; NASH; honokiol.

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Conflict of interest statement

Seko, Y. has received speaker honorariums from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (Osaka, Japan), AbbVie GK (Tokyo, Japan), EA Pharma Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan), Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan), and Kowa Company, Ltd. (Aichi, Japan). Moriguchi, M. has received speaker honorariums from Eisai Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan), Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd (Tokyo, Japan), and Eli Lilly Japan K.K. (Kobe, Japan). Okanoue, T. has received a speaker honorarium from Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan). Itoh, Y. has received speaker honorariums from Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd.; AbbVie GK (Tokyo, Japan); Bristol–Myers Squibb Company (Tokyo, Japan); MSD K.K. (Tokyo, Japan); Eli Lilly Japan K.K. (Kobe, Japan); NichiNichi pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Mie, Japan); Pfizer Japan Inc. (Tokyo, Japan); Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan); and Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan). Itoh, Y. has received research and scholarship grants from AbbVie GK. (Tokyo, Japan); Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo, Japan); EA Pharma Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan); Eisai Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan); Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd (Tokyo, Japan); Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan); Bristol–Myers Squibb Company (Tokyo, Japan); MSD K.K. (Tokyo, Japan); Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. (Tokyo, Japan); Nissan Chemical Corporation (Tokyo, Japan); FUJIREBIO Inc. (Tokyo, Japan); and Sogo Rinsho Medefi Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan). All other authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The actions of honokiol.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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