Therapeutic potential of dithiolethiones for hepatic diseases.

Abstract

Comprehensive studies support the notion that oltipraz [4-methyl-5-(2-pyrazynyl)-1,2-dithiole-3-thione] and its congeners exert cancer chemopreventive effects by the prevention, inhibition or reversal of carcinogenic processes. Recently, it was found that dithiolethione compounds had the activities to prevent or treat fibrosis, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial protective effects in the liver by a mechanism involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and/or 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1). Moreover, chemical regulation of the AMPK-S6K1 pathway was found to affect Liver X receptor (LXR) activity and lipogenesis, leading to the identification of AMPK and S6K1 as targets for treating hepatic steatosis. These biological activities of dithiolethiones may offer a novel approach to pharmaceutical intervention. This review focuses on the interaction between oltipraz and the AMPK-mTOR-S6K1 pathway, which regulates genes that confer hepatocyte protection from intoxication, disrupted energy metabolism, and inflammation. In terms of therapeutic potential, the findings reviewed here demonstrate a new therapeutic potential for dithiolethiones, which function in a unique manner, and offer the possibility of new treatments for hepatic diseases.

• Authors: Samuel Carroll Brooks 3rd, Janie Sue Brooks, Woo Hyung Lee, Myung Gull Lee, Sang Geon Kim
• Journal: Pharmacology & therapeutics (Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 124 Issue 1 Pg. 31-43 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1879-016X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19563826 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta
• Pyrazines
• Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
• Thiones
• Thiophenes
• oltipraz
• Glutathione Transferase
• Protein Kinases
• MTOR protein, human
• Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa
• TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
• ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 70kD, polypeptide 1

Topics

• Animals
• CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta (metabolism)
• Fatty Liver (prevention & control)
• Glutathione Transferase (physiology)
• Humans
• Inactivation, Metabolic
• Insulin Resistance
• Liver (drug effects)
• Liver Cirrhosis (prevention & control)
• Liver Diseases (drug therapy)
• MAP Kinase Signaling System
• Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases (physiology)
• Protein Kinases (physiology)
• Pyrazines (pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon (drug effects)
• Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa (physiology)
• Signal Transduction
• TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
• Thiones
• Thiophenes