Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a broad-spectrum disease,ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,which can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.Abnormal hepatic lipid accumula...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a broad-spectrum disease,ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,which can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.Abnormal hepatic lipid accumulation is the major manifestation of this disease,and lipotoxicity promotes NAFLD progression.In addition,intermediate metabolites such as succinate can stimulate the activation of hepatic stellate cells to produce extracellular matrix proteins,resulting in progression of NAFLD to fibrosis and even cirrhosis.G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)have been shown to play essential roles in metabolic disorders,such as NAFLD and obesity,through their function as receptors for bile acids and free fatty acids.In addition,GPCRs link gut microbiota-mediated connections in a variety of diseases,such as intestinal diseases,hepatic steatosis,diabetes,and cardiovascular diseases.The latest findings show that gut microbiota-derived acetate contributes to liver lipogenesis by converting dietary fructose into hepatic acetyl-CoA and fatty acids.GPCR agonists,including peptides and natural products like docosahexaenoic acid,have been applied to investigate their role in liver diseases.Therapies such as probiotics and GPCR agonists may be applied to modulate GPCR function to ameliorate liver metabolism syndrome.This review summarizes the current findings regarding the role of GPCRs in the development and progression of NAFLD and describes some preclinical and clinical studies of GPCR-mediated treatment.Overall,understanding GPCR-mediated signaling in liver disease may provide new therapeutic options for NAFLD.展开更多
The intensive crosstalk between the liver and the intestine performs many essential functions.This crosstalk is important for natural immune surveillance,adaptive immune response regulation and nutrient metabolism and...The intensive crosstalk between the liver and the intestine performs many essential functions.This crosstalk is important for natural immune surveillance,adaptive immune response regulation and nutrient metabolism and elimination of toxic bacterial metabolites.The interaction between the gut microbiome and bile acids is bidirectional.The gut microbiome regulates the synthesis of bile acids and their biological signaling activity and circulation via enzymes.Similarly,bile acids also shape the composition of the gut microbiome by modulating the host’s natural antibacterial defense and the intestinal immune system.The interaction between bile acids and the gut microbiome has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many intestinal and extra intestinal diseases,especially liver diseases.As essential mediators of the gut-liver crosstalk,bile acids regulate specific host metabolic pathways and modulate the inflammatory responses through farnesoid X-activated receptor and G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1.Several clinical trials have demonstrated the signaling effects of bile acids in the context of liver diseases.We hypothesize the existence of a gut microbiome-bile acids-liver triangle and explore the potential therapeutic strategies for liver diseases targeting the triangle.展开更多
Maintaining bile acid homeostasis is essential for metabolic health.Bile acid homeostasis encompasses a complex interplay between biosynthesis,conjugation,secretion,and reabsorption.Beyond their vital role in digestio...Maintaining bile acid homeostasis is essential for metabolic health.Bile acid homeostasis encompasses a complex interplay between biosynthesis,conjugation,secretion,and reabsorption.Beyond their vital role in digestion and absorption of lipid-soluble nutrients,bile acids are pivotal in systemic metabolic regulation.Recent studies have linked bile acid dysregulation to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases,including obesity,type 2 diabetes melli-tus(T2DM),and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD).Bile acids are essential signaling molecules that regulate many critical biological processes,including lipid metabolism,energy expenditure,insulin sensitivity,and glucose metabolism.Disruption in bile acid homeostasis contributes to metabolic disease via altered bile acid feedback mechanisms,hormonal dysregu-lation,interactions with the gut microbiota,and changes in the expression and function of bile acid transporters and receptors.This review summarized the essential molecular pathways and regulatory mechanisms through which bile acid dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of obesity,T2DM,and MASLD.We aim to underscore the significance of bile acids as potential diag-nostic markers and therapeutic agents in the context of metabolic diseases,providing insights into their application in translational medicine.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide.Fat accumulation“sensitizes”the liver to insult and leads to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).G protein-coupled receptor 35...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide.Fat accumulation“sensitizes”the liver to insult and leads to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).G protein-coupled receptor 35(GPR35)is involved in metabolic stresses,but its role in NAFLD is unknown.We report that hepatocyte GPR35 mitigates NASH by regulating hepatic cholesterol homeostasis.Specifically,we found that GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes protected against high-fat/cholesterol/fructose(HFCF)diet-induced steatohepatitis,whereas loss of GPR35 had the opposite effect.Administration of the GPR35 agonist kynurenic acid(Kyna)suppressed HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice.Kyna/GPR35 induced expression of StAR-related lipid transfer protein 4(STARD4)through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway,ultimately resulting in hepatic cholesterol esterification and bile acid synthesis(BAS).The overexpression of STARD4 increased the expression of the BAS rate-limiting enzymes cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1(CYP7A1)and CYP8B1,promoting the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid.The protective effect induced by GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes disappeared in hepatocyte STARD4-knockdown mice.STARD4 overexpression in hepatocytes reversed the aggravation of HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis caused by the loss of GPR35 expression in hepatocytes in mice.Our findings indicate that the GPR35–STARD4 axis is a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD.展开更多
Bile acids(BAs)play important roles in the digestion of dietary fats and molecular signal transduction,and modulation of the BA composition usually affects the progression of metabolic diseases.While the liver produce...Bile acids(BAs)play important roles in the digestion of dietary fats and molecular signal transduction,and modulation of the BA composition usually affects the progression of metabolic diseases.While the liver produces primary BAs,the gut microbiota modifies these products into various forms that greatly increase their diversity and biological functions.Mechanistically,BAs can regulate their own metabolism and transport as well as other key aspects of metabolic processes via dedicated BA receptors.Disruption of BA transport and homeostasis leads to the progression of liver diseases,including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Here,we summarize the microbial transformations of BAs and their downstream signaling in the development of metabolic diseases and present new insights into novel therapeutic strategies targeting BA pathways that may contribute to these diseases.展开更多
Bile acids are a family of atypical steroids generated at the interface of liver-intestinal microbiota acting on a ubiquitously expressed family of membrane and nuclear receptors known as bile acid activated receptors...Bile acids are a family of atypical steroids generated at the interface of liver-intestinal microbiota acting on a ubiquitously expressed family of membrane and nuclear receptors known as bile acid activated receptors.The two best characterized receptors of this family are the nuclear receptor,farnesoid X re-ceptor(FXR)and the G protein-coupled receptor,G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1(GPBAR1).FXR and GPBAR1 regulate major aspects of lipid and glucose metabolism,energy balance,autophagy and immunity and have emerged as potential pharmaceutical targets for the treatment of metabolic and inflammatory disorders.Clinical trials in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),however,have shown that selective FXR agonists cause side effects while their efficacy is partial.Because FXR and GPBAR1 exert additive effects,dual FXR/GPBAR1 ligands have been developed for the treatment of metabolic disorders and are currently advanced to clinical trials.Here,we will review the role of FXR and GPBAR1 agonism in NAFLD and how the two receptors could be exploited to target multiple components of the disease.展开更多
Bile acids are physiological detergents derived from cholesterol that aid in digestion and nutrient ab-sorption,and they play roles in glucose,lipid,and energy metabolism and in gut microbiome and metabolic homeostasi...Bile acids are physiological detergents derived from cholesterol that aid in digestion and nutrient ab-sorption,and they play roles in glucose,lipid,and energy metabolism and in gut microbiome and metabolic homeostasis.Bile acids mediate crosstalk between the liver and gut through bactericidal modulation of the gut microbiome,while gut microbes influence the composition of the circulating bile acid pool.Recent research indicates bile acids may also be important mediators of neurological disease by acting as peripheral signaling molecules that activate bile acid receptors in the blood-brain barrier and in the brain itself.This review highlights the role of bile acids in maintaining liver and gut microbe homeostasis,as well as their function as mediators of cellular signaling in the liver-gut-brain axis.展开更多
Bile acids modulate several gastrointestinal(GI)functions including electrolyte secretion and absorption,gastric emptying,and small intestinal and colonic motility.High concentrations of bile acids lead to diarrhea an...Bile acids modulate several gastrointestinal(GI)functions including electrolyte secretion and absorption,gastric emptying,and small intestinal and colonic motility.High concentrations of bile acids lead to diarrhea and are implicated in the development of esophageal,gastric and colonic cancer.Alterations in bile acid homeostasis are also implicated in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)and inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these effects of bile acids on gut functions has been greatly enhanced by the discovery of bile acid receptors,including the nuclear receptors:farnesoid X receptor(FXR),vitamin D receptor(VDR),pregnane X receptor(PXR),and constitutive androstane receptor(CAR);and G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs):Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5(TGR5),sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2(S1PR2),and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3(M3R).For example,various studies provided evidence demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of FXR and TGR5 activation in models of intestinal inflammation.In addition,the activation of TGR5 in enteric neurons was recently shown to increase colonic motility,which may lead to bile acid-induced diarrhea(BAD).Interestingly,TGR5 induces the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)from L-cells to enhance insulin secretion and modulate glucose metabolism.Because of the importance of these receptors,agonists of TGR5 and intestine-specific FXR agonists are currently being tested as an option for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and primary bile acid diarrhea,respectively.This review summarizes current knowledge of the functional roles of bile acid receptors in the GI tract.展开更多
Many receptors can be activated by bile acids(BAs)and their derivatives.These include nuclear receptors farnesoid X receptor(FXR),pregnane X receptor(PXR),and vitamin D receptor(VDR),as well as membrane receptors Take...Many receptors can be activated by bile acids(BAs)and their derivatives.These include nuclear receptors farnesoid X receptor(FXR),pregnane X receptor(PXR),and vitamin D receptor(VDR),as well as membrane receptors Takeda G protein receptor 5(TGR5),sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2(S1PR2),and cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2(CHRM2).All of them are implicated in the development of metabolic and immunological diseases in response to endobiotic and xenobiotic exposure.Because epigenetic regulation is critical for organisms to adapt to constant environmental changes,this review article summarizes epigenetic regulation as well as post-transcriptional modification of bile acid re-ceptors.In addition,the focus of this review is on the liver and digestive tract although these receptors may have effects on other organs.Those regulatory mechanisms are implicated in the disease process and critically important in uncovering innovative strategy for prevention and treatment of metabolic and immunological diseases.展开更多
Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase(CYP7A1,EC1.14)is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the classic bile acid synthesis pathway.Much progress has been made in understanding the transcriptional regulation of CYP7A1 gene...Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase(CYP7A1,EC1.14)is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the classic bile acid synthesis pathway.Much progress has been made in understanding the transcriptional regulation of CYP7A1 gene expression and the underlying molecular mechanisms of bile acid feedback regulation of CYP7A1 and bile acid synthesis in the last three decades.Discovery of bile acid-activated receptors and their roles in the regulation of lipid,glucose and energy metabolism have been translated to the development of bile acid-based drug therapies for the treatment of liver-related metabolic diseases such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases,liver cirrhosis,diabetes,obesity and hepatocellular carcinoma.This review will provide an update on the advances in our understanding of the molecular biology and mechanistic insights of the regulation of CYP7A1 in bile acid synthesis in the last 40 years.展开更多
基金University of Missouri,Postdoctoral Research Award.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a broad-spectrum disease,ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,which can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.Abnormal hepatic lipid accumulation is the major manifestation of this disease,and lipotoxicity promotes NAFLD progression.In addition,intermediate metabolites such as succinate can stimulate the activation of hepatic stellate cells to produce extracellular matrix proteins,resulting in progression of NAFLD to fibrosis and even cirrhosis.G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)have been shown to play essential roles in metabolic disorders,such as NAFLD and obesity,through their function as receptors for bile acids and free fatty acids.In addition,GPCRs link gut microbiota-mediated connections in a variety of diseases,such as intestinal diseases,hepatic steatosis,diabetes,and cardiovascular diseases.The latest findings show that gut microbiota-derived acetate contributes to liver lipogenesis by converting dietary fructose into hepatic acetyl-CoA and fatty acids.GPCR agonists,including peptides and natural products like docosahexaenoic acid,have been applied to investigate their role in liver diseases.Therapies such as probiotics and GPCR agonists may be applied to modulate GPCR function to ameliorate liver metabolism syndrome.This review summarizes the current findings regarding the role of GPCRs in the development and progression of NAFLD and describes some preclinical and clinical studies of GPCR-mediated treatment.Overall,understanding GPCR-mediated signaling in liver disease may provide new therapeutic options for NAFLD.
基金Supported by National Science and Technology Major Project of China,No.2018ZX10302206.
文摘The intensive crosstalk between the liver and the intestine performs many essential functions.This crosstalk is important for natural immune surveillance,adaptive immune response regulation and nutrient metabolism and elimination of toxic bacterial metabolites.The interaction between the gut microbiome and bile acids is bidirectional.The gut microbiome regulates the synthesis of bile acids and their biological signaling activity and circulation via enzymes.Similarly,bile acids also shape the composition of the gut microbiome by modulating the host’s natural antibacterial defense and the intestinal immune system.The interaction between bile acids and the gut microbiome has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many intestinal and extra intestinal diseases,especially liver diseases.As essential mediators of the gut-liver crosstalk,bile acids regulate specific host metabolic pathways and modulate the inflammatory responses through farnesoid X-activated receptor and G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1.Several clinical trials have demonstrated the signaling effects of bile acids in the context of liver diseases.We hypothesize the existence of a gut microbiome-bile acids-liver triangle and explore the potential therapeutic strategies for liver diseases targeting the triangle.
基金supported by VA Merit Award 5I01BX005730NIH 1R01AA030180,2R56DK115377-05A1.
文摘Maintaining bile acid homeostasis is essential for metabolic health.Bile acid homeostasis encompasses a complex interplay between biosynthesis,conjugation,secretion,and reabsorption.Beyond their vital role in digestion and absorption of lipid-soluble nutrients,bile acids are pivotal in systemic metabolic regulation.Recent studies have linked bile acid dysregulation to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases,including obesity,type 2 diabetes melli-tus(T2DM),and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD).Bile acids are essential signaling molecules that regulate many critical biological processes,including lipid metabolism,energy expenditure,insulin sensitivity,and glucose metabolism.Disruption in bile acid homeostasis contributes to metabolic disease via altered bile acid feedback mechanisms,hormonal dysregu-lation,interactions with the gut microbiota,and changes in the expression and function of bile acid transporters and receptors.This review summarized the essential molecular pathways and regulatory mechanisms through which bile acid dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of obesity,T2DM,and MASLD.We aim to underscore the significance of bile acids as potential diag-nostic markers and therapeutic agents in the context of metabolic diseases,providing insights into their application in translational medicine.
基金supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(#82225008,China)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(#82070608)+1 种基金the Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation(#2108085Y28,China)the Research Improvement Program of Anhui Medical University(#2019xkjT007,China).
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide.Fat accumulation“sensitizes”the liver to insult and leads to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).G protein-coupled receptor 35(GPR35)is involved in metabolic stresses,but its role in NAFLD is unknown.We report that hepatocyte GPR35 mitigates NASH by regulating hepatic cholesterol homeostasis.Specifically,we found that GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes protected against high-fat/cholesterol/fructose(HFCF)diet-induced steatohepatitis,whereas loss of GPR35 had the opposite effect.Administration of the GPR35 agonist kynurenic acid(Kyna)suppressed HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice.Kyna/GPR35 induced expression of StAR-related lipid transfer protein 4(STARD4)through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway,ultimately resulting in hepatic cholesterol esterification and bile acid synthesis(BAS).The overexpression of STARD4 increased the expression of the BAS rate-limiting enzymes cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1(CYP7A1)and CYP8B1,promoting the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid.The protective effect induced by GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes disappeared in hepatocyte STARD4-knockdown mice.STARD4 overexpression in hepatocytes reversed the aggravation of HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis caused by the loss of GPR35 expression in hepatocytes in mice.Our findings indicate that the GPR35–STARD4 axis is a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82130022,31925021)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2018YFA0800700 and 2022YFC3401500).
文摘Bile acids(BAs)play important roles in the digestion of dietary fats and molecular signal transduction,and modulation of the BA composition usually affects the progression of metabolic diseases.While the liver produces primary BAs,the gut microbiota modifies these products into various forms that greatly increase their diversity and biological functions.Mechanistically,BAs can regulate their own metabolism and transport as well as other key aspects of metabolic processes via dedicated BA receptors.Disruption of BA transport and homeostasis leads to the progression of liver diseases,including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Here,we summarize the microbial transformations of BAs and their downstream signaling in the development of metabolic diseases and present new insights into novel therapeutic strategies targeting BA pathways that may contribute to these diseases.
文摘Bile acids are a family of atypical steroids generated at the interface of liver-intestinal microbiota acting on a ubiquitously expressed family of membrane and nuclear receptors known as bile acid activated receptors.The two best characterized receptors of this family are the nuclear receptor,farnesoid X re-ceptor(FXR)and the G protein-coupled receptor,G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1(GPBAR1).FXR and GPBAR1 regulate major aspects of lipid and glucose metabolism,energy balance,autophagy and immunity and have emerged as potential pharmaceutical targets for the treatment of metabolic and inflammatory disorders.Clinical trials in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),however,have shown that selective FXR agonists cause side effects while their efficacy is partial.Because FXR and GPBAR1 exert additive effects,dual FXR/GPBAR1 ligands have been developed for the treatment of metabolic disorders and are currently advanced to clinical trials.Here,we will review the role of FXR and GPBAR1 agonism in NAFLD and how the two receptors could be exploited to target multiple components of the disease.
基金This work was supported by the USA National Institutes of Health AA015951 to J.M.Ferrell,and DK44442 and DK58379 to J.Y.L.Chiang.
文摘Bile acids are physiological detergents derived from cholesterol that aid in digestion and nutrient ab-sorption,and they play roles in glucose,lipid,and energy metabolism and in gut microbiome and metabolic homeostasis.Bile acids mediate crosstalk between the liver and gut through bactericidal modulation of the gut microbiome,while gut microbes influence the composition of the circulating bile acid pool.Recent research indicates bile acids may also be important mediators of neurological disease by acting as peripheral signaling molecules that activate bile acid receptors in the blood-brain barrier and in the brain itself.This review highlights the role of bile acids in maintaining liver and gut microbe homeostasis,as well as their function as mediators of cellular signaling in the liver-gut-brain axis.
基金The work in the authors'laboratories was supported by merit review grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs,United States(VA):BX000152(W.A.Alrefai)and BX002011(P.K.Dudeja)F30 grant DK117535(A.L.Ticho)and R01 grants:DK109709(W.A.Alrefai),DK54016(P.K.Dudeja),DK81858(P.K.Dudeja),DK92441(P.K.Dudeja),DK98170(R.K.Gill),from the USA National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/National Institutes of Health,United States.
文摘Bile acids modulate several gastrointestinal(GI)functions including electrolyte secretion and absorption,gastric emptying,and small intestinal and colonic motility.High concentrations of bile acids lead to diarrhea and are implicated in the development of esophageal,gastric and colonic cancer.Alterations in bile acid homeostasis are also implicated in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)and inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these effects of bile acids on gut functions has been greatly enhanced by the discovery of bile acid receptors,including the nuclear receptors:farnesoid X receptor(FXR),vitamin D receptor(VDR),pregnane X receptor(PXR),and constitutive androstane receptor(CAR);and G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs):Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5(TGR5),sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2(S1PR2),and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3(M3R).For example,various studies provided evidence demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of FXR and TGR5 activation in models of intestinal inflammation.In addition,the activation of TGR5 in enteric neurons was recently shown to increase colonic motility,which may lead to bile acid-induced diarrhea(BAD).Interestingly,TGR5 induces the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)from L-cells to enhance insulin secretion and modulate glucose metabolism.Because of the importance of these receptors,agonists of TGR5 and intestine-specific FXR agonists are currently being tested as an option for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and primary bile acid diarrhea,respectively.This review summarizes current knowledge of the functional roles of bile acid receptors in the GI tract.
基金This study was supported by grants funded by the USA National Institutes of Health(NIH)U01CA179582 and R01 CA222490.
文摘Many receptors can be activated by bile acids(BAs)and their derivatives.These include nuclear receptors farnesoid X receptor(FXR),pregnane X receptor(PXR),and vitamin D receptor(VDR),as well as membrane receptors Takeda G protein receptor 5(TGR5),sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2(S1PR2),and cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2(CHRM2).All of them are implicated in the development of metabolic and immunological diseases in response to endobiotic and xenobiotic exposure.Because epigenetic regulation is critical for organisms to adapt to constant environmental changes,this review article summarizes epigenetic regulation as well as post-transcriptional modification of bile acid re-ceptors.In addition,the focus of this review is on the liver and digestive tract although these receptors may have effects on other organs.Those regulatory mechanisms are implicated in the disease process and critically important in uncovering innovative strategy for prevention and treatment of metabolic and immunological diseases.
基金This research is supported by grants DK58379 and DK44442 from the USA National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,National Institutes of Health.
文摘Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase(CYP7A1,EC1.14)is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the classic bile acid synthesis pathway.Much progress has been made in understanding the transcriptional regulation of CYP7A1 gene expression and the underlying molecular mechanisms of bile acid feedback regulation of CYP7A1 and bile acid synthesis in the last three decades.Discovery of bile acid-activated receptors and their roles in the regulation of lipid,glucose and energy metabolism have been translated to the development of bile acid-based drug therapies for the treatment of liver-related metabolic diseases such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases,liver cirrhosis,diabetes,obesity and hepatocellular carcinoma.This review will provide an update on the advances in our understanding of the molecular biology and mechanistic insights of the regulation of CYP7A1 in bile acid synthesis in the last 40 years.