Abstract
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that is mainly expressed in liver, intestine, kidney and adipose tissue. On activation by bile acids, FXR regulates a wide variety of target genes that are critically involved in the control of bile acid, lipid and glucose homeostasis. Thus, FXR appears to be a promising target for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Notably, FXR activation inhibits hepatic de novo lipogenesis, increases insulin sensitivity and protects hepatocytes against bile acid-induced cytotoxicity. More recent data also indicate a critical role of FXR in liver regeneration and hepatocarcinogenesis. For this reason, the development of FXR agonists and/or modulators (SBARMs) may prove to be clinically useful for treating NASH. While preclinical studies in rodents support this hypothesis, clinical studies are still warranted in humans.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
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Chromosome Mapping
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12
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DNA-Binding Proteins / agonists
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DNA-Binding Proteins / drug effects
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Fatty Liver / drug therapy
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Fatty Liver / physiopathology*
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Humans
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Insulin / physiology
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Isoxazoles / therapeutic use
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Liver Regeneration / drug effects
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Liver Regeneration / physiology
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Mice
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / agonists
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / drug effects
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology*
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Transcription Factors / agonists
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Transcription Factors / drug effects
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / physiology*
Substances
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Bile Acids and Salts
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Insulin
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Isoxazoles
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Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
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Transcription Factors
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farnesoid X-activated receptor