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Title: Review article: therapeutic bile acids and the risks for hepatotoxicity

Journal Article · · Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14678· OSTI ID:1434973
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [3];  [4]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics National Center for Toxicological Research US Food and Drug Administration Jefferson AR USA
  2. Office of Computational Science Center for Drug Evaluation and Research US Food and Drug Administration Silver Spring MD USA
  3. Hannover Medical School Center of Pharmacology and Toxicology Hannover Germany
  4. Division of Gastroenterology and Inborn Error Products Center for Drug Evaluation and Research US Food and Drug Administration Silver Spring MD USA

Summary Background Bile acids play important roles in cholesterol metabolism and signal through farnesoid X receptor and G protein‐coupled receptors. Given their importance in liver biology, bile acid therapy enables therapeutic applications beyond the treatment of cholestatic liver disease. However, predicting hepatotoxicity of bile acids in humans is obscured due to inconsistent extrapolations of animal data to humans. Aim To review the evidence that could explain discordant bile acids hepatotoxicity observed in humans and animals. Method Literature search was conducted in PubMed using keywords “bile acid,” “transporter,” “hepatotoxicity,” “clinical study,” “animal study,” “species difference,” “mechanism,” “genetic disorder.” Relevant articles were selected for review. Results Clinically significant hepatotoxicity was reported in response to certain bile acids, namely chenodeoxycholic acid, which was given a boxed warning for potential hepatotoxicity. The chemical structure, specifically the number and orientation of hydroxyl groups, significantly affects their hydrophobicity, an important factor in bile acid toxicity. Experimental studies show that hydrophobic bile acids can lead to liver injury through various mechanisms, such as death receptor signalling, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation. Although animal studies play a central role in investigating bile acid safety, there are considerable differences in bile acid composition, metabolism and hepatobiliary disposition across species. This does not allow appropriate safety inference, especially for predicting hepatotoxicity in humans. Exploring evidences stemming from inborn errors, genetic models of disease and toxicology studies further improves an understanding of bile acid hepatotoxicity. Conclusion Species differences should be considered in the development of bile acid related therapeutics. Although the mechanism of bile acid hepatotoxicity is still not fully understood, continued mechanistic studies will deepen our understanding.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1434973
Journal Information:
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Journal Name: Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Vol. 47 Journal Issue: 12; ISSN 0269-2813
Publisher:
Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 33 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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