Insights on FXR selective modulation. Speculation on bile acid chemical space in the discovery of potent and selective agonists

Sci Rep. 2016 Jan 7:6:19008. doi: 10.1038/srep19008.

Abstract

Bile acids are the endogenous modulators of the nuclear receptor FXR and the membrane receptor GPBAR1. FXR represents a promising pharmacological target for the treatment of cholestatic liver disorders. Currently available semisynthetic bile acid derivatives cover the same chemical space of bile acids and therefore they are poorly selective toward BA receptors, increasing patient risk for adverse side effects. In this report, we have investigated around the structure of CDCA describing the synthesis and the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of a novel family of compounds modified on the steroidal tetracyclic core and on the side chain. Pharmacological characterization resulted in the identification of several potent and selective FXR agonists. These novel agents might add utility in the treatment of cholestatic disorders by potentially mitigating side effects linked to unwanted activation of GPBAR1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cholic Acids / chemical synthesis
  • Cholic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / agonists*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / agonists
  • Transcriptional Activation / drug effects

Substances

  • Cholic Acids
  • GPBAR1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • farnesoid X-activated receptor