Li Yan, Lu Lun-Gen
Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2018 Dec 28;6(4):425-430. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2018.00025. Epub 2018 Oct 25.
Bile acids (BAs) are the major metabolic product of cholesterol, having detergent-like activities and being responsible for absorption of lipid and lipid-soluble vitamins. In addition, it has been increasingly recognized that BAs are important signaling molecules, regulating energy metabolism and immunity. Under physiological circumstances, synthesis and transport of BAs are precisely regulated to maintain bile acid homeostasis. Disruption of bile acid homeostasis results in pathological cholestasis and metabolic liver diseases. During the last decades, BAs have been gradually recognized as an important therapeutic target for novel treatment in chronic liver diseases. This review will provide an update on the current understanding of synthesis, transport and regulation of BAs, with a focus on the therapeutic roles of bile acid signaling in chronic liver diseases.
胆汁酸（BAs）是胆固醇的主要代谢产物，具有类似洗涤剂的活性，负责脂质和脂溶性维生素的吸收。此外，人们越来越认识到胆汁酸是重要的信号分子，可调节能量代谢和免疫。在生理情况下，胆汁酸的合成和转运受到精确调节以维持胆汁酸稳态。胆汁酸稳态的破坏会导致病理性胆汁淤积和代谢性肝病。在过去几十年中，胆汁酸已逐渐被视为慢性肝病新型治疗的重要靶点。本综述将更新对胆汁酸合成、转运和调节的当前认识，重点关注胆汁酸信号在慢性肝病中的治疗作用。
