The selective PPAR-delta agonist seladelpar reduces ethanol-induced liver disease by restoring gut barrier function and bile acid homeostasis in mice

Alcohol-associated liver disease is accompanied by dysregulation of bile acid metabolism and gut barrier dysfunction. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARδ) agonists are key metabolic regulators and have anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we evaluated the effect of the selective PPAR-delta agonist seladelpar (MBX-8025) on gut barrier function and bile acid metabolism in a mouse model of ethanol-induced liver disease. Wild type C57BL/6 mice were fed LieberDeCarli diet containing 0%–36% ethanol (caloric) for 8 weeks followed by a single binge of ethanol (5 g/kg). Pair fed mice received an isocaloric liquid diet as control. MBX-8025 (10 mg/kg/d) or vehicle were added to the liquid diet during the entire feeding period (prevention), or during the last 4 weeks of Lieber DeCarli diet feeding (intervention). In both prevention and intervention trials, MBX-8025 protected mice from ethanol-induced liver disease, characterized by lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, hepatic triglycerides, and inflammation. Chronic ethanol intake disrupted bile acid metabolism by increasing the total bile acid pool and serum bile acids. MBX-8025 reduced serum total and secondary bile acids, and the total bile acid pool as compared with vehicle treatment in both prevention and intervention trials. MBX-8025 restored ethanol-induced gut dysbiosis and gut barrier dysfunction. Data from this study demonstrates that seladelpar prevents and treats ethanol-induced liver damage in mice by direct PPARδ agonism in both the liver and the intestine.