The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) as a new target in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

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-incluced 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. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.