Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and a risk factor for both cardiovascular and hepatic related morbidity and mortality. The increasing prevalence of this disease requires novel therapeutic approaches to prevent disease progression. Farnesoid X receptors are bile acid receptors with roles in lipid, glucose, and energy homeostasis. Synthetic farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists have been developed to specifically target these receptors for therapeutic use in NAFLD patients. Here, we present a review of bile acid physiology and how agonism of FXR receptors has been examined in pre-clinical and clinical NAFLD. Early evidence suggests a potential role for synthetic FXR agonists in the management of NAFLD; however, additional studies are needed to clarify their effects on lipid and glucose parameters in humans.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
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Chenodeoxycholic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
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Chenodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use
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Cholagogues and Choleretics / therapeutic use*
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Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / drug therapy
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Humans
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NF-kappa B / metabolism
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / drug therapy*
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / metabolism
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PPAR alpha / metabolism
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Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP) / metabolism
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / agonists*
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
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Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / metabolism
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Ursodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use*
Substances
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Bile Acids and Salts
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Cholagogues and Choleretics
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NF-kappa B
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PPAR alpha
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
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SREBF1 protein, human
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Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
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obeticholic acid
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farnesoid X-activated receptor
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Chenodeoxycholic Acid
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Ursodeoxycholic Acid
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PCK2 protein, human
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Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP)