Farnesoid X Receptor an Emerging Target to Combat Obesity

Abstract

Obesity and its associated diseases, including type 2 diabetes, have reached epidemic levels worldwide. However, available treatment options are limited and ineffective in managing the disease. There is therefore an urgent need for the development of new pharmacological solutions. The bile acid (BA) Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has recently emerged as an attractive candidate. Initially described for their role in lipid and vitamin absorption from diet, BAs are hormones with powerful effects on whole body lipid and glucose metabolism. In this review, we focus on FXR and how 2 decades of work on this receptor, both in rodents and humans, have led to the development of drug agonists with potential use in humans for treatment of conditions ranging from obesity-associated diseases to BA dysregulation.