Role of Bile Acids in the Regulation of Food Intake, and Their Dysregulation in Metabolic Disease

• Published in: Nutrients 2021-03, Vol.13 (4), p.1104
• Main Authors: Xie, Cong, Huang, Weikun, Young, Richard L, Jones, Karen L, Horowitz, Michael, Rayner, Christopher K, Wu, Tongzhi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Bile; Bile acids; Bile Acids and Salts - metabolism; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body weight; Body Weight - drug effects; Cholesterol; Eating - drug effects; Energy; Energy expenditure; Energy intake; Energy metabolism; Energy Metabolism - drug effects; Food intake; FXR; G protein-coupled receptors; Gallbladder; gastrointestinal hormones; Gastrointestinal Hormones - metabolism; Gastrointestinal surgery; Glucagon; Glucagon-like peptide 1; Gluconeogenesis; Glucose; Glucose metabolism; Glycogen; Glycogens; Hormones; Humans; Intestinal microflora; Large intestine; Lipid metabolism; Lipid Metabolism - drug effects; Lipids; Liver; Membrane proteins; Metabolic Diseases - metabolism; Metabolic disorders; Metabolism; Metabolites; Metformin; Microbiomes; Motility; Oral administration; Peptides; Physiology; Plasma; Review; Secretion; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Small intestine; TGR-5
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu13041104

Bile acids are cholesterol-derived metabolites with a well-established role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fat. More recently, the discovery of bile acids as natural ligands for the nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and membrane Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), and the recognition of the effects of FXR and TGR5 signaling have led to a paradigm shift in knowledge regarding bile acid physiology and metabolic health. Bile acids are now recognized as signaling molecules that orchestrate blood glucose, lipid and energy metabolism. Changes in FXR and/or TGR5 signaling modulates the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY), hepatic gluconeogenesis, glycogen synthesis, energy expenditure, and the composition of the gut microbiome. These effects may contribute to the metabolic benefits of bile acid sequestrants, metformin, and bariatric surgery. This review focuses on the role of bile acids in energy intake and body weight, particularly their effects on gastrointestinal hormone secretion, the changes in obesity and T2D, and their potential relevance to the management of metabolic disorders.