Obeticholic Acid

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Background

Obeticholic Acid (6alpha-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid, 6-ECDCA, INT-747) is a potent and selective agonist of FXR with EC50 value of 99 nM [1].
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear bile acid receptor involved in bile acid homeostasis, liver fibrosis, hepatic and intestinal inflammation and cardiovascular disease [2].
Obeticholic Acid is a potent and selective FXR agonist with anticholeretic activity [1]. Obeticholic Acid is a semisynthetic bile acid derivative and potent FXR ligand. In estrogen-induced cholestasis rats, 6-ECDCA protected against cholestasis induced by 17α-ethynylestradiol (E217α) [2]. In cirrhotic portal hypertension (PHT) rat models, INT-747 (30 mg/kg) reactivated the FXR downstream signaling pathway and reduced portal pressure by lowering total intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) without deleterious systemic hypotension. This effect was associated with an increased eNOS activity [3]. In the Dahl rat model of salt-sensitive hypertension and insulin-resistance (IR), high salt (HS) diet significantly increased systemic blood pressure and downregulated tissue DDAH expression. INT-747 enhanced insulin sensitivity and inhibited the decrease of DDAH expression [4].

[1]. Pellicciari R, Fiorucci S, Camaioni E, et al. 6alpha-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid (6-ECDCA), a potent and selective FXR agonist endowed with anticholestatic activity. J Med Chem, 2002, 45(17): 3569-3572.
[2]. Fiorucci S, Clerici C, Antonelli E, et al. Protective effects of 6-ethyl chenodeoxycholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor ligand, in estrogen-induced cholestasis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 2005, 313(2): 604-612.
[3]. Verbeke L, Farre R, Trebicka J, et al. Obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, improves portal hypertension by two distinct pathways in cirrhotic rats. Hepatology, 2014, 59(6): 2286-2298.
[4]. Ghebremariam YT, Yamada K, Lee JC, et al. FXR agonist INT-747 upregulates DDAH expression and enhances insulin sensitivity in high-salt fed Dahl rats. PLoS One, 2013, 8(4): e60653.