Apical Sodium-dependent Bile Acid Transporter (ASBT) actively reabsorbs bile acids (BAs) from the gut lumen. This process is a critical step in the enterohepatic circulation (EHC) of BAs and plays important roles in the homeostasis of BAs in the body. Therefore, ASBT is considered a favorite target for intervention to regulate the levels of BAs, cholesterol, lipid and glucose etc. In addition, ASBT is also a popular delivery target for developing prodrugs, due to its intestinal localization, high expression and high uptake capacity. In the past ten years, ASBT has been the focus by both academia and pharmaceutical industry as research targets not only for BA-related diseases but also for prodrug delivery. Numerous studies have been published and many candidate ASBT inhibitors are being developed. Here we review and summarize the current states of ASBT research with a focus on the therapeutic applications of ASBT as a target for therapy as well as a delivery target for prodrugs. The current and future challenges in ASBT research and outlook of drug developments are discussed.

中文翻译：

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顶端钠依赖性胆汁酸转运蛋白、胆汁酸相关疾病的药物靶点和前药的递送靶点：当前和未来的挑战。

顶端钠依赖性胆汁酸转运蛋白 (ASBT) 从肠腔主动重新吸收胆汁酸 (BA)。该过程是 BAs 肠肝循环 (EHC) 的关键步骤，在体内 BAs 的稳态中起重要作用。因此，ASBT 被认为是调节 BA、胆固醇、脂质和葡萄糖等水平的干预靶点。此外，由于其肠道定位、高表达和高摄取能力，ASBT 也是开发前药的热门递送靶点. 在过去的十年中，ASBT 不仅作为 BA 相关疾病的研究目标，而且还作为前药递送的研究对象，成为学术界和制药业的关注焦点。许多研究已经发表，许多候选 ASBT 抑制剂正在开发中。在这里，我们回顾和总结了 ASBT 研究的现状，重点关注 ASBT 作为治疗靶点和前药递送靶点的治疗应用。讨论了 ASBT 研究中当前和未来的挑战以及药物开发的前景。