Open AccessCirculating bile acid profiles in Japanese patients with NASH
Author(s) -
Yara Shoichiro,
Ikegami Tadashi,
Miyazaki Teruo,
Murakami Masashi,
Iwamoto Junichi,
Hirayama Takeshi,
Kohjima Motoyuki,
Nakamuta Makoto,
Honda Akira
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
gastrohep
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1478-1239
DOI - 10.1002/ygh2.374
Subject(s) - farnesoid x receptor , bile acid , lithocholic acid , medicine , cholic acid , g protein coupled bile acid receptor , taurine , deoxycholic acid , chemistry , glycine , endocrinology , gastroenterology , amino acid , biochemistry , nuclear receptor , transcription factor , gene
Summary Background Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an evolutional pattern of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with inflammation and fibrosis. Although pharmacological options for treating NASH are limited, derivatives of bile acids and compounds that influence bile acid‐related signalling pathways are emerging as potentially useful therapeutic agents. Methods To characterise bile acid profiles in relatively ‘lean’ Japanese patients, we analysed serum bile acid concentrations in patients with biopsy‐proven NASH (n = 34) and healthy controls (n = 38) using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Results Mean total serum bile acid concentration in the NASH group was significantly higher compared with controls ( P < .0001), and the higher level did not depend on the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Four characteristic bile acid‐related features were observed in patients with NASH: significantly decreased ratio of cholic acid + deoxycholic acid/chenodeoxycholic acid + lithocholic acid ( P < .05), taurine‐conjugated bile acids to glycine‐conjugated bile acids ( P < .05), unconjugated bile acids to total bile acids ( P < .05) and secondary bile acids to total bile acids ( P < .05). Furthermore, significantly elevated farnesoid X receptor‐affinity indices ( P < .05) and marginally decreased serum 7α‐hydroxy‐4‐cholesten‐3‐one concentration ( P = .071) without changes in the bile acid hydrophobicity index suggested that farnesoid X receptor tended to be activated in patients with NASH. Conclusion These observations may help understand the pathogenesis of NASH regarding its association with altered bile acid metabolism.