Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Measurement of Fatty Acid β-Oxidation in a Suspension of Freshly Isolated Mouse Hepatocytes
Published on: September 9, 2021
Glucose regulates the expression of the farnesoid X receptor in liver
Daniel Duran-Sandoval1, Gisèle Mautino, Geneviève Martin
1Atherosclerosis Department, Unité de Recherche 545 Institute National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Pasteur Institute of Lille, and Faculty of Pharmacy, Lille2 University, Lille, France.
Abstract:
An increased prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and gallbladder disease occurs in patients with diabetes or insulin resistance. Hypertriglyceridemia is positively associated to gall bladder disease risk. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor that plays a key role in bile acid and triglyceride homeostasis. The mechanisms controlling FXR gene expression are poorly understood. This study evaluated whether FXR gene expression is regulated by alterations in glucose homeostasis. FXR expression was decreased in livers of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and normalized upon insulin supplementation. Concomitantly with diabetes progression, FXR expression also decreased in aging diabetic Zucker rats. In primary rat hepatocytes, D-glucose increased FXR mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whereas insulin counteracted this effect. Addition of xylitol, a precursor of xylulose-5-phosphate, to primary rat hepatocytes increased FXR expression to a comparable level as D-glucose. Finally, expression of the FXR target genes, SHP and apolipoprotein C-III, were additively regulated by D-glucose and FXR ligands. This study demonstrates that FXR is decreased in animal models of diabetes. In addition, FXR is regulated by glucose likely via the pentose phosphate pathway. Dysregulation of FXR expression may contribute to alterations in lipid and bile acid metabolism in patients with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
