Abstract
Modulation of the cholesterol-sensing liver X receptors (LXRs) and their downstream targets has emerged as promising therapeutic avenues in atherosclerosis. The intestine is important for its unique capabilities to act as a gatekeeper for cholesterol absorption and to participate in the process of cholesterol elimination in the feces and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Pharmacological and genetic intestine-specific LXR activation have been shown to protect against atherosclerosis. In this review we discuss the LXR-targeted molecular players in the enterocytes as well as the intestine-driven pathways contributing to cholesterol homeostasis with therapeutic potential as targets in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis..
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / physiology
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 5
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 8
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ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
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Animals
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Atherosclerosis / drug therapy*
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Atherosclerosis / prevention & control
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Cholesterol / metabolism*
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Homeostasis
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Humans
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Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy
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Intestinal Absorption / physiology
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Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
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Lipoproteins / genetics
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Liver X Receptors
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / physiology
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Membrane Transport Proteins
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Orphan Nuclear Receptors / physiology*
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Sterol O-Acyltransferase / physiology
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Sterol O-Acyltransferase 2
Substances
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ABCG5 protein, human
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ABCG8 protein, human
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 5
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 8
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ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
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Lipoproteins
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Liver X Receptors
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Membrane Proteins
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Membrane Transport Proteins
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NPC1L1 protein, human
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Orphan Nuclear Receptors
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Cholesterol
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Sterol O-Acyltransferase