Traci Ann Mansfield

Hepatoprotection by the farnesoid X receptor agonist GW4064 in rat models of intra- and extrahepatic cholestasis

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated transcription factor that is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. Fxr-null mice exhibit a phenotype similar to Byler disease, an inherited cholestatic liver disorder. In the liver, activation of FXR induces transcription of transporter genes involved in promoting bile acid clearance and represses genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. We investigated whether the synthetic FXR agonist GW4064 could protect against cholestatic liver damage in rat models of extrahepatic and intrahepatic cholestasis. In the bile duct-ligation and alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate models of cholestasis, GW4064 treatment resulted in significant reductions in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, as well as other markers of liver damage. Rats that received GW4064 treatment also had decreased incidence and extent of necrosis, decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased bile duct proliferation. Analysis of gene expression in livers from GW4064-treated cholestatic rats revealed decreased expression of bile acid biosynthetic genes and increased expression of genes involved in bile acid transport, including the phospholipid flippase MDR2. The hepatoprotection seen in these animal models by the synthetic FXR agonist suggests FXR agonists may be useful in the treatment of cholestatic liver disease.

Comprehensive Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Profiling Reveals That Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Activation Has Coordinate Effects on Gene Expression in Multiple Insulin-Sensitive Tissues

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists, including the glitazone class of drugs, are insulin sensitizers that reduce glucose and lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. To more fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying their therapeutic actions, we have characterized the effects of the potent, tyrosine-based PPARγ ligand GW1929 on serum glucose and lipid parameters and gene expression in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. In time-course studies, GW1929 treatment decreased circulating FFA levels before reducing glucose and triglyceride levels. We used a comprehensive and unbiased messenger RNA profiling technique to identify genes regulated either directly or indirectly by PPARγ in epididymal white adipose tissue, interscapular brown adipose tissue, liver, and soleus skeletal muscle. PPARγ activation stimulated the expression of a large number of genes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid metabolism in both white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue. In muscle...