FXR agonist GW4064 increases plasma glucocorticoid levels in C57BL/6 mice

Menno Hoekstra*, Ronald J. van der Sluis, Zhaosha Li, Maaike H. Oosterveer, Albert K. Groen, Theo J. C. Van Berkel

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Since high expression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has been detected in glucocorticoid-producing adrenocortical cells, we evaluated the potential role of FXR in adrenal glucocorticoid production.

    FXR agonist GW4064 increased fasting plasma corticosterone levels (+45%; P <0.01) in C57BL/6 mice, indicative of enhanced adrenal steroidogenesis. GW4064 treatment did not affect plasma ACTH levels, adrenal weight, or adrenal expression of steroidogenic genes. Scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) mRNA and protein expression, respectively, increased 1.9-fold (P <0.01) and 1.5-fold, which suggests a stimulated lipoprotein-associated cholesterol uptake into the adrenals upon GW4064 treatment. In line with an enhanced flux of cellular cholesterol into the steroidogenic pathway, adrenal unesterified and esterified cholesterol stores were 21-41% decreased (P <0.01) upon GW4064 treatment.

    In conclusion, we have shown that the FXR agonist GW4064 stimulates plasma corticosterone levels in C57BL/6 mice. Our findings suggest a novel role for FXR in the modulation of adrenal cholesterol metabolism and glucocorticoid synthesis in mice. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)69-75
    Number of pages7
    JournalMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology
    Volume362
    Issue number1-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 15-Oct-2012

    Keywords

    • Glucocorticoid
    • Corticosterone
    • Cholesterol
    • FXR
    • GW4064
    • SR-BI
    • FARNESOID-X-RECEPTOR
    • ACID-BINDING-PROTEIN
    • GENE-EXPRESSION
    • PROMOTER
    • TARGET
    • RAT
    • ACTIVATION
    • DEFICIENT
    • REVEALS
    • ABSENCE

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'FXR agonist GW4064 increases plasma glucocorticoid levels in C57BL/6 mice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this