Review article: nuclear receptors and liver disease – current understanding and new therapeutic implications

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 30, 816–825 Summary Background The important role of nuclear receptors and their contribution to liver function in both physiological and pathological conditions has come to attention in recent years and has advanced our understanding of several liver diseases. These findings led to the introduction of targeting nuclear receptors as treatment strategies for various liver diseases. Aims To review the new insights brought by the study of nuclear receptors to our understanding of the molecular basis of various liver diseases, and to summarize some of the recent studies that evaluated the efficacy of targeting nuclear receptor as a new approach in treating liver diseases. Methods Review of articles, using PubMed and article references. Results Nuclear receptor ligands in patients with liver diseases have been associated with a variety of toxicities. Some clinical results have not met the expectations predicted from animal experiments. Mechanistic explanations at the molecular level are needed for preventing toxicity and improving outcomes from nuclear receptor ligands. Conclusion The use of various nuclear receptor ligands in liver diseases is a promising approach that can benefit many patients suffering from these devastating diseases. However, we are far from a full understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors work.