Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss
Published on: July 19, 2024
Hepatic Transporters Alternations Associated with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Systematic Review
Navid Omidkhoda1, Simin Zare1, Sina Mahdiani2
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Background And Objectives:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive liver disorder and is usually accompanied by obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. NAFLD progression can lead to impaired functions of hepatocytes such as alternations in expression and function of hepatic transporters. The present study aimed to summarize and discuss the results of clinical and preclinical human studies that investigate the effect of NAFLD on hepatic transporters.
Methods:
The databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched systematically up to 1 March 2022. The risk of bias was assessed for cross-sectional studies through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score.
Results:
Our review included ten cross-sectional studies consisting of 485 participants. Substantial alternations in hepatic transporters were seen during NAFLD progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in comparison with control groups. A significant reduction in expression and function of several hepatic uptake transporters, upregulation of many efflux transporters, downregulation of cholesterol efflux transporters, and mislocalization of canalicular transporter ABCC2 are associated with NAFLD progression.
Conclusion:
Since extensive changes in hepatic transporters could alter the pharmacokinetics of the drugs and potentially affect the safety and efficacy of drugs, close monitoring of drug administration is highly suggested in patients with NASH.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatic Drug Clearance: Role of Transporters
Physiological Pharmacokinetic Models: Incorporating Hepatic Transporter-Mediated Clearance
A recent model describes pravastatin's hepatobiliary excretion,...
Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Role of Transporters
Polymorphisms occurring in drug transporters can alter...
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors
Hepatic Drug Clearance: Effect of Protein Binding
For low-extraction-ratio drugs that are less than 80% protein-bound, minor changes in protein binding...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...

