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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2014; 20(37): 13493-13500
Published online Oct 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i37.13493
Recent insights into farnesoid X receptor in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Jiao-Ya Xu, Zhong-Ping Li, Li Zhang, Guang Ji
Jiao-Ya Xu, Zhong-Ping Li, Li Zhang, Guang Ji, Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
Guang Ji, E-Institute of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
Author contributions: Xu JY and Li ZP contributed equally to this work; Xu JY and Li ZP wrote the manuscript under the close supervision of Ji G; Zhang L revised the paper.
Supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China, No. 81273727 and No. 81302927; and Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, No.14YZ054
Correspondence to: Guang Ji, MD, PhD, Professor, Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 725 South Wanping Road, Shanghai 200032, China. jiliver@vip.sina.com
Telephone: +86-21-64286261 Fax: +86-21-64286261
Received: April 13, 2014
Revised: May 22, 2014
Accepted: June 25, 2014
Published online: October 7, 2014
Processing time: 177 Days and 2.2 Hours
Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is one of the most prevalent liver disorders worldwide. NAFLD can gradually progress to liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex, and no efficient pharmaceutic treatments have yet been established for NAFLD. Accumulating data have shown that the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays important roles not only in bile acid metabolism, but also in lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis, inflammatory responses, among others. In this review, we aim to highlight the role of FXR in the pathogenesis and treatment of NAFLD.

Keywords: Farnesoid X receptor; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Mechanism; Therapy; Lipid metabolism

Core tip: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent liver disorders worldwide and has great risk potentials. While the mechanisms under NAFLD are still in the mist, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) provides a new aspect in this field. In addition to regulate bile acid metabolism, FXR can also be actively involved in lipid (cholesterol, triglyceride, fatty acid) and glucose metabolism, furthermore, FXR participates in regulating inflammation and NAFLD progression. Several FXR agonists are identified and both experimentally and clinically proved to be optimistic in preventing and treating NAFLD, indicating FXR quite a therapeutic target for NAFLD.