Bile acids inhibit ferroptosis sensitivity through activating farnesoid X receptor in gastric cancer cells

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is associated with high mortality rates.Bile acids(BAs)reflux is a well-known risk factor for GC,but the specific mechanism remains unclear.During GC development in both humans and animals,BAs serve as signaling molecules that induce metabolic reprogramming.This confers additional cancer phenotypes,including ferroptosis sensitivity.Ferroptosis is a novel mode of cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation that contributes universally to malignant progression.However,it is not fully defined if BAs can influence GC progression by modulating ferroptosis.AIM To reveal the mechanism of BAs regulation in ferroptosis of GC cells.METHODS In this study,we treated GC cells with various stimuli and evaluated the effect of BAs on the sensitivity to ferroptosis.We used gain and loss of function assays to examine the impacts of farnesoid X receptor(FXR)and BTB and CNC homology 1(BACH1)overexpression and knockdown to obtain further insights into the molecular mechanism involved.RESULTS Our data suggested that BAs could reverse erastin-induced ferroptosis in GC cells.This effect correlated with increased glutathione(GSH)concentrations,a reduced GSH to oxidized GSH ratio,and higher GSH peroxidase 4(GPX4)expression levels.Subsequently,we confirmed that BAs exerted these effects by activating FXR,which markedly increased the expression of GSH synthetase and GPX4.Notably,BACH1 was detected as an essential intermediate molecule in the promotion of GSH synthesis by BAs and FXR.Finally,our results suggested that FXR could significantly promote GC cell proliferation,which may be closely related to its anti-ferroptosis effect.CONCLUSION This study revealed for the first time that BAs could inhibit ferroptosis sensitivity through the FXR-BACH1-GSHGPX4 axis in GC cells.This work provided new insights into the mechanism associated with BA-mediated promotion of GC and may help identify potential therapeutic targets for GC patients with BAs reflux.

A Cell-based High-throughput Screening Assay for Farnesoid X Receptor Agonists

Objective To develop a high-throughput screening assay for Farnesoid X receptor （FXR） agonists based on mammalian one-hybrid system （a chimera receptor gene system） for the purpose of identifying new lead compounds for dyslipidaemia drug from the chemical library. Methods cDNA encoding the human FXR ligand binding domain （LBD） was amplified by RT-PCR from a human liver total mRNA and fused to the DNA binding domain （DBD） of yeast GAL4 of pBIND to construct a GAL4-FXR （LBD） chimera expression plasmid. Five copies of the GAL4 DNA binding site were synthesized and inserted into upstream of the SV40 promoter of pGL3-promoter vector to construct a reporter plasmid pG5-SV40 Luc. The assay was developed by transient co-transfection with pG5-SV40 Luc reporter plasmid and pBIND-FXR-LBD （189-472） chimera expression plasmid. Results After optimization, CDCA, a FXR natural agonist, could induce expression of the luciferase gene in a dose-dependent manner, and had a signal/noise ratio of 10 and Z＇ factor value of 0.65, Conclusion A stable and sensitive cell-based high-throughput screening model can be used in high-throughput screening for FXR agonists from the synthetic and natural compound library.

Pravastatin activates the expression of farnesoid X receptor and liver X receptor alpha in Hep3B cells

BACKGROUND: Statins are suggested to preserve gallbladder function by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and preventing cholesterol accumulation in gallbladder epithelial cells. They also affect cross-talk among the nuclear hormone receptors that regulate cholesterol-bile acid metabolism in the nuclei of hepatocytes. However, there is controversy over whether or how statins change the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR)α, PPARγ, liver X receptor α(LXRα), farnesoid X receptor(FXR), ABCG5, ABCG8, and 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) which are directly involved in the cholesterol saturation index in bile. METHODS: Human Hep3B cells were cultured on dishes. MTT assays were performed to determine the appropriate concentrations of reagents to be used. The protein expression of PPARα and PPARγ was measured by Western blotting analysis, and the mRNA expression of LXRα, FXR, ABCG5, ABCG8 and CYP7A1 was estimated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: In cultured Hep3B cells, pravastatin activated PPARα and PPARγ protein expression, induced stronger expression of PPARγ than that of PPARα, increased LXRα mRNA expression, activated ABCG5 and ABCG8 mRNA expression mediated by FXR as well as LXRα, enhanced FXR mRNA expression, and increased CYP7A1 mRNA expression mediated by the PPARγ and LXRα pathways, together or independently. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that pravastatin prevents cholesterol gallstone diseases via the increase of FXR, LXRαand CYP7A1 in human hepatocytes.

Inhibition of cervical cancer cell proliferation and cervical tumorigenicity caused by farnesoid X receptor activation or over-expression is related to CDKN2A-p14^(ARF)-MDM2-p53 pathway

OBJECTIVE Cervical cancer is the third most malignant tumor in the world.Farnesoid X receptor(FXR) is a member of nuclear receptor superfamily.It is highly expressed in liver,kidney and small intestine,while it showed low expression level in other tissues.It not only plays an important role in the metabolism of bile acids and sugars,but also in the production of chronic inflammation in the early stage of cancer,the proliferation and migration of tumor.Compared with the normal tissue,the expression of FXR in most tumor tissues decreased.But there is no correlation between cervical cancer and FXR.So we aimed to find out the relationship between FXR and cervical cancer.METHODS A clinical study using q PCR,western blot and immunohistochemistry detected the expression of FXR in tumor tissues and normal tissues of clinical patients.FXR was activated by agonists or over-expressed by lentivirus.MTT,clone formation and flow cytometry were used to detect the relationship between FXR and proliferation of cervical cell lines.Tumor growth ability of FXR was detected by nude mice tumorigenicity.The interaction between FXR and CDKN2A-p14^(ARF)-MDM2-p53 pathway was detected by q PCR,Western blot and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS FXR was decreased in cancer tissues compared to normal control.Activation of FXR by agonist or constitutively-over-expression of FXR inhibited cervical cell proliferation.Over-expressed FXR attenuated Caski,Hela and Siha xenograft tumor growth in nude mice compared with control.Over-expression of FXR caused G1 cell-cycle arresting and up-regulated CDKN2A-p14^(ARF)-MDM2-p53 pathway.CONCLUSION FXR inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation and cervical tumorigenicity which is related to CDKN2A-p14^(ARF)-MDM2-p53 pathway.Activation or overexpression of FXR may be a potential target for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Duodenal-jejunal bypass reduces serum ceramides via inhibiting intestinal bile acid-farnesoid X receptor pathway

BACKGROUND Bile acids play an important role in the amelioration of type 2 diabetes following duodenal-jejunal bypass(DJB).Serum bile acids are elevated postoperatively.However,the clinical relevance is not known.Bile acids in the peripheral circulation reflect the amount of bile acids in the gut.Therefore,a further investigation of luminal bile acids following DJB is of great significance.AIM To investigate changes of luminal bile acids following DJB.METHODS Salicylhydroxamic acid(SHAM),DJB,and DJB with oral chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA)supplementation were performed in a high-fat-diet/streptozotocininduced diabetic rat model.Body weight,energy intake,oral glucose tolerance test,luminal bile acids,serum ceramides and intestinal ceramide synthesis were analyzed at week 12 postoperatively.RESULTS Compared to SHAM,DJB achieved rapid and durable improvement in glucose tolerance and led to increased total luminal bile acid concentrations with preferentially increased proportion of farnesoid X receptor(FXR)-inhibitory bile acids within the common limb.Intestinal ceramide synthesis was repressed with decreased serum ceramides,and this phenomenon could be partially antagonized by luminal supplementation of FXR activating bile acid CDCA.CONCLUSION DJB significantly changes luminal bile acid composition with increased proportion FXR-inhibitory bile acids and reduces serum ceramide levels.There observations suggest a novel mechanism of bile acids in metabolic regulation after DJB.

Bile-acid-activated farnesoid X receptor regulates hydrogen sulfide production and hepatic microcirculation

AIM: To investigate whether the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) regulates expression of liver cystathionase (CSE), a gene involved in hydrogen sulfi de (H2S) generation. METHODS: The regulation of CSE expression in response to FXR ligands was evaluated in HepG2 cells and in wild-type and FXR null mice treated with 6-ethyl chenodeoxycholic acid (6E-CDCA), a synthetic FXR ligand. The analysis demonstrated an FXR responsive element in the 5'-flanking region of the human CSE gene. The function of this site was investigated by luciferase reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Livers obtained from rats treated with carbon tetrachloride alone, or in combination with 6-ethyl chenodeoxycholic acid, were studied for hydrogen sulphide generation and portal pressure measurement. RESULTS: Liver expression of CSE is regulated by bile acids by means of an FXR-mediated mechanism. Western blotting, qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, as well as immunohistochemical analysis, showed that expression of CSE in HepG2 cells and in mice is induced by treatment with an FXR ligand. Administration of 6E-CDCA to carbon tetrachloride treated rats protected against the down-regulation of CSE expression, increased H2S generation, reduced portal pressure and attenuated the endothelial dysfunction of isolated and perfused cirrhotic rat livers. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that CSE is an FXR-regulated gene and provide a new molecular explanation for the pathophysiology of portal hypertension.

Recent insights into farnesoid X receptor in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

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.

GW4064, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, upregulates adipokine expression in preadipocytes and HepG2 cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of GW4064 on the expression of adipokines and their receptors during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and in HepG2cells.METHODS:The mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma 2(PPAR-γ2),adiponectin,leptin,resistin,adiponectin receptor 1(AdipoR1),adiponectin receptor2(AdipoR2),and the long isoform of leptin receptor(OB-Rb)and protein levels of adiponectin,leptin,andresistin were determined using fluorescent real-time PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,respectively,on days 0,2,4,6,and 8 during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes exposed to GW4064.Moreover,mRNA expression of AdipoR2 and OB-Rb was also examined using fluorescent real-time PCR at 0,12,24,and 48 h in HepG2 cells treated with GW4064.RESULTS:The mRNA expression of FXR,PPAR-γ2,adiponectin,leptin,resistin,AdipoR1,AdipoR2,and OB-Rb and protein levels of adiponectin,leptin,and resistin increased along with differentiation of 3T3-L1preadipocytes(P<0.05 for all).The mRNA expression of FXR,PPAR-γ2,adiponectin,leptin,and AdipoR2in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes,and AdipoR2 and OB-Rb in HepG2 cells was significantly increased after treatment with GW4064,when compared with the control group(P<0.05 for all).A similar trend was observed for protein levels of adipokines(including adiponectin,leptin and resistin).However,the expression of resistin,AdipoR1,and OB-Rb in 3T3-L1 cells did not change after treatment with GW4064.CONCLUSION:The FXR agonist through regulating,at least partially,the expression of adipokines and their receptors could offer an innovative way for counteracting the progress of metabolic diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Farnesoid X receptor expression is reduced in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4) is a member of nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. Previously studies showed that FXR-/- mice spontaneously developed liver tumors when they aged, however, the relevance of which to human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. The aim of this study is to observe whether FXR expression is also downregulated in HCC and discuss the mechanism of the reduced FXR expression in HCC. Expression of FXR and small heterodimer partner (SHP) was measured by real-time PCR and immunohistochemical technique. Effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines on expression of FXR and its promoter activity were determined in primary hepatocytes or HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines. Our results showed that expression of FXR and its target gene SHP in human HCC was strongly downregulated compared to the normal liver tissues. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines were able to decrease FXR expression by inhibiting the FXR promoter activity. In conclusion this work demonstrates FXR expression is strongly downregulated in human HCC, which may be caused by decreased FXR promoter activity, suggesting a potential role of FXR in human HCC development.

A combined nanotherapeutic approach targeting farnesoid X receptor,ferroptosis,and fibrosis for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis treatment

Obeticholic acid(OCA),a farnesoid X receptor(FXR)agonist with favorable effects on fatty and glucose metabolism,has been considered the leading candidate drug for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)treatment.However,its limited effectiveness in resolving liver fibrosis and lipotoxicity-induced cell death remains a major drawback.Ferroptosis,a newly recognized form of cell death characterized by uncontrolled lipid peroxidation,is involved in the progression of NASH.Nitric oxide(NO)is a versatile biological molecule that can degrade extracellular matrix.In this study,we developed a PEGylated thiolated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSN)loaded with OCA,as well as a ferroptosis inhibitor liproxsatin-1 and a NO donor S-nitrosothiol(ONL@MSN).Biochemical analyses,histology,multiplexed flow cytometry,bulk-tissue RNA sequencing,and fecal 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing were utilized to evaluate the effects of the combined nanoparticle(ONL@MSN)in a mouse NASH model.Compared with the OCA-loaded nanoparticles(O@MSN),ONL@MSN not only protected against hepatic steatosis but also greatly ameliorated fibrosis and ferroptosis.ONL@MSN also displayed enhanced therapeutic actions on the maintenance of intrahepatic macrophages/monocytes homeostasis,inhibition of immune response/lipid peroxidation,and correction of microbiota dysbiosis.These findings present a promising synergistic nanotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of NASH by simultaneously targeting FXR,ferroptosis,and fibrosis.

Farnesoid X receptor regulators from natural products and their biological function

Metabolic syndrome(Met S)has been a growing public health concern worldwide without specific medicine.Through summarizing the chemical structure type and effect mechanisms of natural products targeted on farnesoid X receptor(FXR),to provide the research basis for exploring the treatment of Met S.The following databases were searched for natural products which targeting FXR:Pub Med,Embase,the Cochrane Library,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,Wanfang Database,China Science and Technology Journal Database,and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database.Totally 120 natural products were summarized,including terpenoids(51 compounds),steroidal saponins(27 compounds),phenylpropanolds(19 compounds),flavonoids(13 compounds),alkaloids(3 compounds)and others(7 compounds),most researches focus on terpenoids and part of synthetic FXR regulators were based on the structure of terpenoids.FXR regulators could improve cholestasis and liver injury,hyperlipidemia,diabetes and atherosclerosis.FXR is a potential target of treating Met S.Natural products are characteristics with unique novel structures and special biological activity,and they are important sources of bioactive precursor compounds and drug discovery.Exploring the effects and mechanism of natural products and its derivative on Met S by targeting FXR may be a new way to develop the new drugs of treating Met S.

Bile duct ligation differently regulates protein expressions of organic cation transporters in intestine,liver and kidney of rats through activation of farnesoid X receptor by cholate and bilirubin

Body is equipped with organic cation transporters(OCTs).These OCTs mediate drug transport and are also involved in some disease process.We aimed to investigate whether liver failure alters intestinal,hepatic and renal Oct expressions using bile duct ligation(BDL)rats.Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrates that BDL decreases plasma metformin exposure,associated with decreased intestinal absorption and increased urinary excretion.Western blot shows that BDL significantly downregulates intestinal Oct2 and hepatic Oct1 but upregulates renal and hepatic Oct2.In vitro cell experiments show that chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA),bilirubin and farnesoid X receptor(FXR)agonist GW4064 increase OCT2/Oct2 but decrease OCT1/Oct1,which are remarkably attenuated by glycine-β-muricholic acid and silencing FXR.Significantly lowered intestinal CDCA and increased plasma bilirubin levels contribute to different Octs regulation by BDL,which are confirmed using CDCA-treated and bilirubin-treated rats.A disease-based physiologically based pharmacokinetic model characterizing intestinal,hepatic and renal Octs was successfully developed to predict metformin pharmacokinetics in rats.In conclusion,BDL remarkably downregulates expressions of intestinal Oct2 and hepatic Oct1 protein while upregulates expressions of renal and hepatic Oct2 protein in rats,finally,decreasing plasma exposure and impairing hypoglycemic effects of metformin.BDL differently regulates Oct expressions via Fxr activation by CDCA and bilirubin.

Moxibustion improves experimental colitis in rats with Crohn's disease by regulating bile acid enterohepatic circulation and intestinal farnesoid X receptor

Objective:This study was conducted to explore the mechanism of intestinal inflammation and barrier repair in Crohn’s disease(CD)regulated by moxibustion through bile acid(BA)enterohepatic circulation and intestinal farnesoid X receptor(FXR).Methods:Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group,CD model group,mild moxibustion group and herb-partitioned moxibustion group.CD model rats induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid were treated with mild moxibustion or herb-partitioned moxibustion at Tianshu(ST25)and Qihai(CV6).The changes in CD symptoms were rated according to the disease activity index score,the serum and colon tissues of rats were collected,and the pathological changes in colon tissues were observed via histopathology.Western blot,immunohistochemistry(IHC)and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the improvement of moxibustion on intestinal inflammation and mucosal barrier in CD by the BA-FXR pathway.Results:Mild moxibustion and herb-partitioned moxibustion improved the symptoms of CD,inhibited inflammation and repaired mucosal damage to the colon in CD rats.Meanwhile,moxibustion could improve the abnormal expression of BA in the colon,liver and serum,downregulate the expression of interferon-γand upregulate the expression of FXR mRNA,and inhibit Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)and myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)mRNA.The IHC results showed that moxibustion could upregulate the expression of FXR and mucin2 and inhibit TLR4 expression.Western blot showed that moxibustion inhibited the protein expression of TLR4 and MyD88 and upregulated the expression of FXR.Immunofluorescence image analysis showed that moxibustion increased the colocalization sites and intensity of FXR with TLR4 or nuclear factor-κB p65.In particular,herb-partitioned moxibustion has more advantages in improving BA and upregulating FXR and TLR4 in the colon.Conclusion:Mild moxibustion and herb-partitioned moxibustion can improve CD by regulating the enterohepatic circulation stability of BA,activating colonic FXR,regulating the TLR4/MyD88 pathway,inhibiting intestinal inflammation and repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier.Herb-partitioned moxibustion seems to have more advantages in regulating BA enterohepatic circulation and FXR activation.Please cite this article as:Shen JC,Qi Q,Han D,Lu Y,Huang R,Zhu Y,Zhang LS,Qin XD,Zhang F,Wu HG,Liu HR.Moxibustion improves experimental colitis in rats with Crohn’s disease by regulating bile acid enterohepatic circulation and intestinal farnesoid X receptor.J Integr Med.2023;21(2):194–204.

Tropifexor,a selective non-acid farnesoid X receptor agonist,improved nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a phase 2 trial,but several issues remain to be resolved

As obesity continues to escalate worldwide,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has emerged as the most prevalent form of liver disease,with a reported global prevalence of 30.1%(1).The prevalence of NAFLD,which was around 25%in the 1990s,has been increasing year by year in recent years and has exceeded 35%in the past few years(1).The spectrum of disease includes nonalcoholic fatty liver(NAFL),characterized by macrovesicular hepatic steatosis that may be accompanied by mild inflammation,and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),which is additionally characterized by the presence of inflammation and cellular injury(2).

Farnesoid X receptor,the bile acid sensing nuclear receptor,in liver regeneration

The liver is unique in regenerative potential, which could recover the lost mass and function after injury from ischemia and resection. The underlying molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration have been extensively studied in the past using the partial hepatectomy(PH) model in rodents, where 2/3 PH is carried out by removing two lobes. The whole process of liver regeneration is complicated, orchestrated event involving a network of connected interactions, which still remain fully elusive. Bile acids(BAs) are ligands of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), a nuclear receptor of ligand-activated transcription factor. FXR has been shown to be highly involved in liver regeneration. BAs and FXR not only interact with each other but also regulate various downstream targets independently during liver regeneration. Moreover, recent findings suggest that tissue-specific FXR also contributes to liver regeneration significantly. These novel findings suggest that FXR has much broader role than regulating BA, cholesterol, lipid and glucose metabolism. Therefore, these researches highlight FXR as an important pharmaceutical target for potentialuse of FXR ligands to regulate liver regeneration in clinic. This review focuses on the roles of BAs and FXR in liver regeneration and the current underlying molecular mechanisms which contribute to liver regeneration.

Role of farnesoid X receptor and bile acids in alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease(ALD) is one of the major causes of liver morbidity and mortality worldwide. Chronic alcohol consumption leads to development of liver pathogenesis encompassing steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and in extreme cases, hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover,ALD may also associate with cholestasis. Emerging evidence now suggests that farnesoid X receptor(FXR) and bile acids also play important roles in ALD. In this review, we discuss the effects of alcohol consumption on FXR, bile acids and gut microbiome as well as their impacts on ALD. Moreover, we summarize the findings on FXR, Fox O3a(forkhead box-containing protein class O3a) and PPARα(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha) in regulation of autophagy-related gene transcription program and liver injury in response to alcohol exposure.

Effect of simvastatin on the expression of farnesoid X receptor in diabetic animal models of altered glucose homeostasis

Background Statin therapy has affected glucose homoeostasis of type 2 diabetes patients,which could be related with bile acids metabolism.Whether bile acid metabolism and the expression of farnesoid X receptor （FXR）,liver X receptor-α （LXR-α） and sterol regulatory element-binding protein （Srebp）-1c is regulated by hyperglycemia,or whether simvastatin therapy led to higher glucose is related with down-regulated expression of FXR in diabetic rats remained unclear.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups：normal control rats,insulin resistance rats,diabetic model rats,and the late simvastatin induced diabetic rats.Normal control rats were fed with standard diet,others were fed with high-fat diet.Diabetic model rats were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ）.The late simvastatin induced diabetic rats started simvastatin administration after STZ induced diabetic model rats.Characteristics of fasting blood glucose （FPG）,lipid files and total bile acids （TBAs） were measured and the oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was performed after overnight fasting at the eighth weekend.RNA and protein levels of FXR,LXR-α and Srebp-1c were tested by Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）.Results The insulin resistance rats showed higher glucose,lipid files and lower expression of FXR compared with normal control rats （P ＞0.05）.The diabetic model rats showed significantly higher glucose,lipid files,TBA and lower expression of FXR compared with insulin resistance rats （P ＜0.05）.The late simvastatin induced diabetic rats displayed higher glucose and TBA and lower expression of FXR compared with diabetic model rats （P ＜0.05）.Conclusions Changes in bile acid homeostasis,including the alterations of bile acid levels and bile acid receptors,are either a cause or a consequence of the metabolic disturbances observed during diabetic models.Statin therapy induced hyperglycemia may be related with FXR,SHP,LXR-α and Srebp-1 pathways.

Expressions of farnesoid X receptor and myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 protein are associated with poor prognosis in patients with gallbladder cancer

Background Farnesoid X receptor （FXR） regulates tumorigenesis, but its clinical significance in gallbladder cancer （GBC） remains unclear. This study investigated its clinical and prognostic significance in GBC patients, as well as its association with the anti-apoptotic protein, myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 （MCL1） protein. Methods FXR and MCL1 expression in 42 primary GBC and 15 normal gallbladder tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The patients and samples were collected from Ren Ji Hospital from January 2005 to December 2010. Their association with clinicopathologic factors and prognosis, as well as the correlation between FXR and MCL1 protein expression were analyzed by statistical analyses. Results Compared with normal gallbladder tissues, FXR expression was decreased and MCL1 expression was increased in GBC, during progression of tumor node metastasis （TNM） stage. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that FXR low-expression and MCL1 over-expression were significantly associated with overall poor survival. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that FXR and MCL1 are both prognostic factors for GBC patients. FXR low-expression was significantly correlated with MCL1 over-expression. Conclusion FXR might be a new molecular marker to predict the prognosis of patients with GBC and a novel therapeutic target. Chin Med J 2014;127 （14）： 2637-2642

Discovery of New Iridoids as Farnesoid X Receptor Agonists from Morinda officinalis: Agonistic Potentials and Molecular Stimulation

The investigation of Morinda officinalis led to the isolation of twelve compounds(1-12),including three new iridoid glycosides morindallns A-C(1-3)and nine known compounds(4-12).Their structural identifications were conducted using HRMS,1D and 2D NMR,and electronic circular dichroism(ECD)spectra as well as quantum chemical computations.Compound 6 displayed the most significantly agonistic activity against farnesoid X receptor(FXR)with an EC_(50) value of 7.18 μM,and its agonistic effect was verified through the investigation of FXR downstream target genes including small heterodimer partner 1(SHP1),bile salt export pump(BSEP),and organic solute transporter subunit alpha and beta(OSTα and OSTβ).The potential interaction of compound 6 with FXR was analyzed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics stimulation,revealing that amino acid residues Leu287;Thr288,and Ser332 played a crucial role in the activation of compound 6 towards FXR.These findings suggested that compound 6 could be regarded as a potential candidate for the development of FXR agonists.

Design, synthesis and metabolic regulation effect of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonistic benzoxepin-5-ones

A series of benzoxepin-5-ones were designed and synthesized by the cyclization of chalcones which were previously found as FXR antagonists. The cellular FXR antagonism of benzoxepines was investigated,among which the most potent compound 10 l was able to reduce the plasma and hepatic triglyceride and plasma ALT levels in mice.