Atypical functions of xenobiotic receptors in lipid and glucose metabolism

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Jingyuan Wang1, Peipei Lu1, Wen Xie1,2

  • 1Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Medical Review (2021)
|February 14, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Xenobiotic receptors like AhR, PXR, and CAR have unexpected roles in regulating lipid and energy metabolism. Targeting these receptors may offer new treatments for metabolic disorders such as NAFLD, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Metabolic biochemistry
  • Molecular endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Xenobiotic receptors traditionally mediate xenobiotic metabolism and disposition.
  • Emerging evidence highlights their significant roles in endobiotic functions, including lipid and energy homeostasis.
  • Dyslipidemia, linked to metabolic disorders, necessitates understanding regulatory mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding the atypical roles of xenobiotic receptors in metabolic disorders.
  • To focus on the effects of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) on lipid and glucose metabolism.
  • To explore their potential as therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific publications.
  • Analysis of studies investigating xenobiotic receptors in metabolic regulation.
  • Synthesis of findings on the impact of AhR, PXR, and CAR on lipid and glucose homeostasis.

Main Results:

  • Xenobiotic receptors (AhR, PXR, CAR) exhibit significant endobiotic functions impacting metabolic pathways.
  • These receptors influence lipid and glucose metabolism, contributing to or mitigating metabolic disorders.
  • Dysregulation of these receptors is implicated in conditions like NAFLD, NASH, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions:

  • AhR, PXR, and CAR play crucial, albeit atypical, roles in maintaining metabolic homeostasis.
  • Targeting AhR, PXR, and CAR presents a promising therapeutic strategy for metabolic disorders.
  • Further research into these receptors could lead to novel treatments for NAFLD, NASH, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords:
aryl hydrocarbon receptorconstitutive androstane receptorlipid metabolismpregnane X receptorxenobiotic receptors

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