Pharmacological inhibition of ASK-1 in cirrhosis

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is activated by various pathological stimuli and induces cell apoptosis via activation of p38. In this study, researchers evaluated the effect of pharmacological inhibition of ASK1 on cirrhosis using preclinical in vivo and in vitro models. The effect was assessed in the short term (4-6 weeks) and long term (24-44 weeks). Short-term treatment significantly reduced phosphorylated p38, hepatocyte death and fibrosis in both models. The impact on fibrosis was 50%. In one model, long-term treatment reduced fibrosis by 25%. This pharmacological inhibition limited the development of liver cirrhosis.