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.
CITATION STYLE
Carr, R. M., & Reid, A. E. (2015, April 1). FXR Agonists as Therapeutic Agents for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Current Atherosclerosis Reports. Current Medicine Group LLC 1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-015-0500-2
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