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Published on: November 11, 2025
Farnesoid X Receptor Expression Reduced in Obese Rat Model With Insulin Resistance
Shuguang Pang1, Li Yu, Yong Lu
1Departments of Endocrinology (SP, YL, QJ, LH, LD, CW) and Otorhinolaryngology (LY), Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China; Department of Medicine (RS), Taishan Medical University, Taian, China; Lithotriptic Center of Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University (GD), Jinan, China.
Background:
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays important roles in regulation of lipid, glucose and energy metabolism. The aim of the study was to observe expression level of FXR in obese rat models with insulin (INS) resistance.
Methods:
A total of 100 Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to either standard diet (n = 20) or high-fat diet (HFD, n = 80) for 6 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance tests were administrated, and the extent of INS resistance was assessed at the end of the 6th weeks. In addition, the expression of FXR in the liver was tested by techniques of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Obese rats in HFD group showed elevated body weight, area under blood glucose curve, fasting INS, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and serum bile acid levels compared with rats in standard diet group (P < 0.05). The level of INS remained high at all time points after the INS injection in oral glucose tolerance tests. As for FXR expression levels, a nearly 50% reduction was calculated in the liver of HFD rats compared with rats fed normal diet.
Conclusions:
FXR is decreased in obese animal models associated with INS resistance. Regulation of bile acids and FXR in the stage of obesity may prevent more metabolism disorders.
