Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis
08:58

Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis

Published on: March 11, 2017

15.8K

Targeting AMPK as a potential treatment for hepatic fibrosis in MASLD

Xavier Palomer1, Jue-Rui Wang1, Claudia Escalona1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Pediatric Research Institute, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|April 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation shows promise for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) fibrosis. This review explores AMPK

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology and Metabolic Research
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent condition often leading to liver fibrosis and failure.
  • Current pharmacological treatments for MASLD-related fibrosis are limited.
  • AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is increasingly recognized as a crucial regulator in fibrogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms connecting AMPK to hepatic fibrosis.
  • To evaluate emerging AMPK-directed therapies for MASLD fibrosis.
  • To provide a comprehensive perspective on targeting AMPK for fibrosis treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent mechanistic discoveries and therapeutic developments.
  • Analysis of the role of AMPK in fibrotic pathways.
  • Discussion of clinical translation challenges for AMPK-based therapies.

Main Results:

  • AMPK activation demonstrates potential in mitigating liver fibrosis.
  • Advances in AMPK activators offer new therapeutic avenues.
  • Understanding AMPK's role in fibrogenesis is key to developing effective treatments.

Conclusions:

  • AMPK represents a promising therapeutic target for MASLD-related fibrosis.
  • Further research into AMPK activators and their clinical application is warranted.
  • Targeting AMPK pathways could offer a novel strategy to combat liver fibrosis progression.
Keywords:
MASHapoptosishepatic stellate cellsinflammationmetformin

More Related Videos

Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method08:04

Isolation of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes for Nascent Protein Synthesis Analysis by Non-radioactive L-azidohomoalanine Labeling Method

Published on: October 23, 2018

18.7K
Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss07:03

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss

Published on: July 19, 2024

658

Related Concept Videos

MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
7.3K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.1K
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways01:25

cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways

Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an essential second messenger that activates protein kinase A (PKA) and regulates various biological processes. A single epinephrine molecule binds to GPCR and activates several heterotrimeric G proteins, each stimulating multiple adenylyl cyclase, amplifying the signal, and synthesizing large numbers of cAMP molecules. Small changes in cAMP concentration affect PKA activity. The binding of four cAMP molecules induces a conformational change in PKA,...
7.3K
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...
120