Letter to the Editor
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2024; 30(40): 4393-4398
Published online Oct 28, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i40.4393
Elafibranor: A promising treatment for alcoholic liver disease, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease
Hang Zhang, Xuan Dong, Lei Zhu, Fu-Shan Tang
Hang Zhang, Xuan Dong, Lei Zhu, Fu-Shan Tang, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, Guizhou Province, China
Hang Zhang, Xuan Dong, Lei Zhu, Fu-Shan Tang, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, Guizhou Province, China
Hang Zhang, Xuan Dong, Lei Zhu, Fu-Shan Tang, Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy in Zunyi City, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, Guizhou Province, China
Author contributions: Zhang H and Dong X contributed to the manuscript outline and composed the initial draft; Zhu L improved the manuscript outline and reviewed the paper; Tang FS originated the concept for this manuscript, provided supervision, reviewed the paper, and finalized the manuscript. All authors have approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors have nothing to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Fu-Shan Tang, PhD, Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, No. 6 Xuefu West Road, Xinpu New District, Zunyi 563006, Guizhou Province, China. fstang@vip.163.com
Received: August 1, 2024
Revised: September 15, 2024
Accepted: September 23, 2024
Published online: October 28, 2024
Processing time: 75 Days and 15.6 Hours
Abstract

Liver diseases pose a significant threat to human health. Although effective therapeutic agents exist for some liver diseases, there remains a critical need for advancements in research to address the gaps in treatment options and improve patient outcomes. This article reviews the assessment of Elafibranor's effects on liver fibrosis and intestinal barrier function in a mouse model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), as reported by Koizumi et al in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. We summarize the impact and mechanisms of Elafibranor on ALD, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease based on current research. We also explore its potential as a dual agonist of PPARα/δ, which is undergoing Phase III clinical trials for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis. Our goal is to stimulate further investigation into Elafibranor's use for preventing and treating these liver diseases and to provide insights for its clinical application.

Keywords: Elafibranor; Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor; Liver fibrosis; Alcoholic liver disease; Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease; Metabolic-associated steatohepatitis; Cholestatic liver disease; Primary biliary cholangitis; Liver diseases

Core Tip: This article provides a critical evaluation of the study by Koizumi et al on the effects of Elafibranor on liver fibrosis and gut barrier function in a mouse model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). It reviews recent advancements in the use of Elafibranor for treating ALD, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease, and explores its therapeutic potential. Additionally, it outlines future prospects for Elafibranor’s application. The aim is to promote broader use of Elafibranor in managing these liver conditions and to highlight its potential role in advancing clinical treatments.