FXR agonists INT-787 and OCA increase RECK and inhibit liver steatosis and inflammation in diet-induced ob/ob mouse model of NASH

Background and Aims: We have previously shown in a model of hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion injury that the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) restores reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK), an inverse modulator of metalloproteases (MMPs) and inhibitor of the sheddases ADAM10 and ADAM17 involved in inflammation and fibrogenesis. Here, the effects of FXR agonists OCA and INT-787 on hepatic levels of RECK, MMPs, ADAM10 and ADAM17 were compared in a diet-induced ob/ob mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods: Lep ob/ob NASH mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or control diet (CD) for 9 weeks (wks) were treated with OCA or INT-787 0.05% dosed via HFD admixture (30 mg/kg/day) or HFD for further 12 wks. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and inflammatory cytokines, liver RECK, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity as well as ADAM10, ADAM17, collagen deposition (Sirius red), hepatic stellate cell activation (α-SMA) and pCK+ reactive biliary cells were quantified. Results: Only INT-787 significantly reduced serum ALT, IL-1β and TGF-β. A downregulation of RECK expression and protein levels observed in HFD groups (at 9 and 21 wks) was counteracted by both OCA and INT-787. HFD induced a significant increase in liver MMP-2 and MMP-9; OCA administration reduced both MMP-2 and MMP-9 while INT-787 markedly reduced MMP-2 expression. OCA and INT-787 reduced both ADAM10 and ADAM17 expression and number of pCK+ cells. INT-787 was superior to OCA in decreasing collagen deposition and α-SMA levels. Conclusion: INT-787 is superior to OCA in controlling specific cell types and clinically relevant anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic molecular mechanisms in NASH.