Bile acid sequestrants: glucose-lowering mechanisms

Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2010 Dec:8 Suppl 1:S3-8. doi: 10.1089/met.2010.0096. Epub 2010 Oct 26.

Abstract

Bile acids are not only intestinal detergents, but also act as signaling molecules to control bile acid and metabolic homeostasis. By binding to the nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) or the membrane receptor TGR5, bile acids regulate lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism. The removal of bile acids from the enterohepatic cycle by orally administered sequestrants, nonabsorbable resins that complex bile acids in the intestinal lumen, is an effective treatment to reduce plasma cholesterol concentrations in dyslipidemia. In diabetic patients, sequestrants further lower hyperglycemia, and are thus useful in glycemic control. Here, we review the signaling pathways involved in the glucose-regulatory function of bile acids and our current understanding of the mechanisms behind the glucose-lowering effect of bile acid sequestrants.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / metabolism
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Bile Acids and Salts / pharmacology
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Models, Biological
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents