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Di Ciaula A, Bonfrate L, Khalil M, Portincasa P. The interaction of bile acids and gut inflammation influences the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:2181-2197. [PMID: 37515676 PMCID: PMC10635993 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03343-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Bile acids (BA) are amphipathic molecules originating from cholesterol in the liver and from microbiota-driven biotransformation in the colon. In the gut, BA play a key role in fat digestion and absorption and act as potent signaling molecules on the nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and membrane-associated G protein-coupled BA receptor-1 (GPBAR-1). BA are, therefore, involved in the maintenance of gut barrier integrity, gene expression, metabolic homeostasis, and microbiota profile and function. Disturbed BA homeostasis can activate pro-inflammatory pathways in the gut, while inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can induce gut dysbiosis and qualitative and/or quantitative changes of the BA pool. These factors contribute to impaired repair capacity of the mucosal barrier, due to chronic inflammation. A better understanding of BA-dependent mechanisms paves the way to innovative therapeutic tools by administering hydrophilic BA and FXR agonists and manipulating gut microbiota with probiotics and prebiotics. We discuss the translational value of pathophysiological and therapeutic evidence linking BA homeostasis to gut inflammation in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri" and Division Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri" and Division Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Mohamad Khalil
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri" and Division Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri" and Division Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePre-J), University "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Policlinico Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
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Di Ciaula A, Bonfrate L, Baj J, Khalil M, Garruti G, Stellaard F, Wang HH, Wang DQH, Portincasa P. Recent Advances in the Digestive, Metabolic and Therapeutic Effects of Farnesoid X Receptor and Fibroblast Growth Factor 19: From Cholesterol to Bile Acid Signaling. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14234950. [PMID: 36500979 PMCID: PMC9738051 DOI: 10.3390/nu14234950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bile acids (BA) are amphiphilic molecules synthesized in the liver (primary BA) starting from cholesterol. In the small intestine, BA act as strong detergents for emulsification, solubilization and absorption of dietary fat, cholesterol, and lipid-soluble vitamins. Primary BA escaping the active ileal re-absorption undergo the microbiota-dependent biotransformation to secondary BA in the colon, and passive diffusion into the portal vein towards the liver. BA also act as signaling molecules able to play a systemic role in a variety of metabolic functions, mainly through the activation of nuclear and membrane-associated receptors in the intestine, gallbladder, and liver. BA homeostasis is tightly controlled by a complex interplay with the nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR), the enterokine hormone fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) or the human ortholog FGF19 (FGF19). Circulating FGF19 to the FGFR4/β-Klotho receptor causes smooth muscle relaxation and refilling of the gallbladder. In the liver the binding activates the FXR-small heterodimer partner (SHP) pathway. This step suppresses the unnecessary BA synthesis and promotes the continuous enterohepatic circulation of BAs. Besides BA homeostasis, the BA-FXR-FGF19 axis governs several metabolic processes, hepatic protein, and glycogen synthesis, without inducing lipogenesis. These pathways can be disrupted in cholestasis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, targeting FXR activity can represent a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and the treatment of liver and metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro” Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro” Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Jacek Baj
- Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Mohamad Khalil
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro” Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Garruti
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantations, University of Bari “Aldo Moro” Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Frans Stellaard
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Venusberg-Campus 1, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Helen H. Wang
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - David Q.-H. Wang
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro” Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-328-4687215
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Chen L, Yang H, Li H, He C, Yang L, Lv G. Insights into modifiable risk factors of cholelithiasis: A Mendelian randomization study. Hepatology 2022; 75:785-796. [PMID: 34624136 PMCID: PMC9300195 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The risk factors of cholelithiasis have not been clearly identified, especially for total cholesterol. Here, we try to identify these causal risk factors. APPROACH AND RESULTS We obtained genetic variants associated with the exposures at the genome-wide significance (p < 5 × 10-8 ) level from corresponding genome-wide association studies. Summary-level statistical data for cholelithiasis were obtained from FinnGen and UK Biobank (UKB) consortia. Both univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted to identify causal risk factors of cholelithiasis. Results from FinnGen and UKB were combined using the fixed-effect model. In FinnGen, the odds of cholelithiasis increased per 1-SD increase of body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.631, p = 2.16 × 10-7 ), together with body fat percentage (OR = 2.108, p = 4.56 × 10-3 ) and fasting insulin (OR = 2.340, p = 9.09 × 10-3 ). The odds of cholelithiasis would also increase with lowering of total cholesterol (OR = 0.789, p = 8.34 × 10-5 ) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR = 0.792, p = 2.45 × 10-4 ). However, LDL-C was not significant in multivariable MR. In UKB, the results of BMI, body fat percentage, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were replicated. In meta-analysis, the liability to type 2 diabetes mellitus and smoking could also increase the risk of cholelithiasis. Moreover, there were no associations with other predominant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Our MR study corroborated the risk factors of cholelithiasis from previous MR studies. Furthermore, lower total cholesterol level could be an independent risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunJilinChina
| | - Hongqun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunJilinChina
| | - Haitao Li
- Department of OrthopedicsThe China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunJilinChina
| | - Chang He
- Department of Molecular BiologyCollege of Basic Medical SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunJilinChina
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of NeurologyHuashan HospitalShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Guoyue Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunJilinChina
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Yin Y, Wang M, Gu W, Chen L. Intestine-specific FXR agonists as potential therapeutic agents for colorectal cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 186:114430. [PMID: 33556338 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most malignant cancers in the world. A major cause of death in CRC patients is the limited therapeutic options in its advanced stages. The Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear superfamily, which is effective in slowing the progression of colorectal cancer in addition to its extraordinary role in regulating metabolic disorders. Due to the systemic side-effects caused by non-selective agonists, the intestine-restricted FXR agonists can induce a whole-body benefit without activating the hepatic FXR, suggesting intestinal FXR activation as a potentially safer therapy in the treatment of CRC. This review highlights the effects of FXR on the disturbed bile acid circulation and the carcinogenesis of CRC and with a specific emphasis on listing the functions of several intestinal-restricted FXR agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Yin
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengge Wang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenjie Gu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lili Chen
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Molina-Molina E, Baccetto RL, Wang DQH, de Bari O, Krawczyk M, Portincasa P. Exercising the hepatobiliary-gut axis. The impact of physical activity performance. Eur J Clin Invest 2018; 48:e12958. [PMID: 29797516 PMCID: PMC8118139 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical inactivity puts the populations at risk of several health problems, while regular physical activity brings beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease, mortality and other health outcomes, including obesity, glycaemic control and insulin resistance. The hepatobiliary tract is greatly involved in several metabolic aspects which include digestion and absorption of nutrients in concert with intestinal motility, bile acid secretion and flow across the enterohepatic circulation and intestinal microbiota. Several metabolic abnormalities, including nonalcoholic fatty liver as well as cholesterol cholelithiasis, represent two conditions explained by changes of the aforementioned pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS This review defines different training modalities and discusses the effects of physical activity in two metabolic disorders, that is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cholelithiasis. Emphasis is given to pathogenic mechanisms involving intestinal bile acids, microbiota and inflammatory status. RESULTS A full definition of physical activity includes the knowledge of aerobic and endurance exercise, metabolic equivalent tasks, duration, frequency and intensity, beneficial and harmful effects. Physical activity influences the hepatobiliary-gut axis at different levels and brings benefits to fat distribution, liver fat and gallbladder disease while interacting with bile acids as signalling molecules, intestinal microbiota and inflammatory changes in the body. CONCLUSIONS Several beneficial effects of physical activity are anticipated on metabolic disorders linking liver steatosis, gallstone disease, gut motility, enterohepatic circulation of signalling bile acids in relation to intestinal microbiota and inflammatory changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Molina-Molina
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Raquel Lunardi Baccetto
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - David Q.-H. Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ornella de Bari
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Marcin Krawczyk
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Metabolic Liver Diseases, Centre for Preclinical Research, Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Abstract
The high prevalence of cholesterol gallstones, the availability of new information about pathogenesis, and the relevant health costs due to the management of cholelithiasis in both children and adults contribute to a growing interest in this disease. From an epidemiologic point of view, the risk of gallstones has been associated with higher risk of incident ischemic heart disease, total mortality, and disease-specific mortality (including cancer) independently from the presence of traditional risk factors such as body weight, lifestyle, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. This evidence points to the existence of complex pathogenic pathways linking the occurrence of gallstones to altered systemic homeostasis involving multiple organs and dynamics. In fact, the formation of gallstones is secondary to local factors strictly dependent on the gallbladder (that is, impaired smooth muscle function, wall inflammation, and intraluminal mucin accumulation) and bile (that is, supersaturation in cholesterol and precipitation of solid crystals) but also to "extra-gallbladder" features such as gene polymorphism, epigenetic factors, expression and activity of nuclear receptors, hormonal factors (in particular, insulin resistance), multi-level alterations in cholesterol metabolism, altered intestinal motility, and variations in gut microbiota. Of note, the majority of these factors are potentially manageable. Thus, cholelithiasis appears as the expression of systemic unbalances that, besides the classic therapeutic approaches to patients with clinical evidence of symptomatic disease or complications (surgery and, in a small subgroup of subjects, oral litholysis with bile acids), could be managed with tools oriented to primary prevention (changes in diet and lifestyle and pharmacologic prevention in subgroups at high risk), and there could be relevant implications in reducing both prevalence and health costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Division of Internal Medicine - Hospital of Bisceglie, ASL BAT, Bisceglie, Italy
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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