The hepatic response to FGF19 is impaired in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance
Abstract
In this study, we assessed intestinal FGF19 production and the hepatic response to FGF19 in NAFLD patients with and without insulin resistance. NAFLD patients received a standardized oral fat challenge.
Postprandial excursions of triglycerides, bile salts, FGF19, and 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one were determined. In insulin-sensitive NAFLD patients with, the postprandial increase in plasma FGF19 was accompanied by a lowering of plasma levels of 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one.
This anticipated decline was not observed in insulin-resistant NAFLD patients. In conclusion, patients with NAFLD show an unimpaired intestinal FGF19 production.
However, the hepatic response to FGF19 is impaired in NAFLD patients with insulin resistance. This impaired hepatic response to FGF19 may contribute to the dysregulation of lipid homeostasis in NAFLD.