Retinoids in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Liver Diseases.

TitleRetinoids in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Liver Diseases.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsMelis M, Tang X-H, Trasino SE, Gudas LJ
JournalNutrients
Volume14
Issue7
Date Published2022 Mar 31
ISSN2072-6643
KeywordsHumans, Liver Diseases, Receptors, Retinoic Acid, Retinoids, Tretinoin, Vitamin A
Abstract

Vitamin A (VA), all-trans-retinol (ROL), and its analogs are collectively called retinoids. Acting through the retinoic acid receptors RARα, RARβ, and RARγ, all-trans-retinoic acid, an active metabolite of VA, is a potent regulator of numerous biological pathways, including embryonic and somatic cellular differentiation, immune functions, and energy metabolism. The liver is the primary organ for retinoid storage and metabolism in humans. For reasons that remain incompletely understood, a body of evidence shows that reductions in liver retinoids, aberrant retinoid metabolism, and reductions in RAR signaling are implicated in numerous diseases of the liver, including hepatocellular carcinoma, non-alcohol-associated fatty liver diseases, and alcohol-associated liver diseases. Conversely, restoration of retinoid signaling, pharmacological treatments with natural and synthetic retinoids, and newer agonists for specific RARs show promising benefits for treatment of a number of these liver diseases. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the literature demonstrating a role for retinoids in limiting the pathogenesis of these diseases and in the treatment of liver diseases.

DOI10.3390/nu14071456
Alternate JournalNutrients
PubMed ID35406069
PubMed Central IDPMC9002467
Grant ListR01DK113088 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R21 AA027637 / AA / NIAAA NIH HHS / United States
5SC2GM127206-0 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
N/A / / Weill Cornell funds /