Peretinoin is an oral acyclic retinoid with a vitamin A-like structure that targets retinoid nuclear receptors such as retinoid X receptor (RXR) and retinoic acid receptor (RAR). Peretinoin reduces the mRNA level of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) in vitro by downregulating a transcription factor, Sp1[1]. Peretinoin prevents the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through activating the autophagy pathway by increased Atg16L1 expression[2]. Peretinoin inhibits HCV RNA amplification and virus release by altering lipid metabolism with a EC50 of 9 µM[3].
