Tijmen Moll
Glucocorticoids regulate many aspects of hepatic lipid metabolism. Both excessive glucocorticoid exposure and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonism may therefore enhance hepatic lipid accumulation, contributing to the development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Current treatment options for NAFLD are limited. As NAFLD may progress into Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma, it is important to find treatment options. My research focuses on the use of selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators (SGRMs) as a potential treatment for NAFLD. SGRMs are GR ligands that induce a unique combination of glucocorticoid receptor agonism and antagonism and can thereby potentially serve as a therapeutic strategy for NAFLD. We additionally focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of GR modulation.