The Role of Carbohydrate Response Element-Binding Protein in the Development of Liver Diseases

ChREBP is a glucose-activated transcription factor that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. ChREBP is abundantly expressed in liver, adipose tissues, muscles, islets, kidneys, and intestines. Because high-carbohydrate diet feeding, ethanol drinking, and viral infection induce hepatic ChREBP-β expression and ChREBP transactivity, ChREBP is associated with the pathogenesis of several metabolic liver diseases. These include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, HBV hepatitis, HCV hepatitis, CMV hepatitis, HIV-associated NAFLD, hepatocellular carcinoma, and glycogen storage disease type 1. Moreover, natural bioactive products serve as AMPK activators, which suppress ChREBP transactivity. Therefore, natural bioactive products are beneficial for the prevention of developing NAFLD through suppression of ChREBP. These include polyunsaturated fatty acids, vinegars, ketogenic diets, and polyphenols. A combination of diet therapy and bioactive products may be beneficial for the treatment of NAFLD.