title: Fatty liver diseases, bile acids, and FXR.
abstract: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide has increased at an alarming rate, which will likely result in enormous medical and economic burden. NAFLD presents as a spectrum of liver diseases ranging from simple steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A comprehensive understanding of the mechanism(s) of NAFLD-to-NASH transition remains elusive with various genetic and environmental susceptibility factors possibly involved. An understanding of the mechanism may provide novel strategies in the prevention and treatment to NASH. Abnormal regulation of bile acid homeostasis emerges as an important mechanism to liver injury. The bile acid homeostasis is critically regulated by the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) that is activated by bile acids. FXR has been known to exert tissue-specific effects in regulating bile acid synthesis and transport. Current investigations demonstrate FXR also plays a principle role in regulating lipid metabolism and suppressing inflammation in the liver. Therefore, the future determination of the molecular mechanism by which FXR protects the liver from developing NAFLD may shed light to the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Mentougou District Hospital, Beijing 102300, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Hongxia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Children׳s Liver Diseases Center, 302 Military Hospital of China, Beijing 100039, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Earnest Mario School of Pharmacy & Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, NJ 08854-8062, USA.
authors.forename: Grace L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Guo
keywords: Bile acids; Farnesoid X receptor; Liver lipid metabolism; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis