Toll-like receptor 4 signaling is required for induction of gluconeogenic gene expression by palmitate in human hepatic carcinoma cells.

Saturated free fatty acids (FFA) can activate inflammatory cascades including the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway. TLR4 is expressed by hepatocytes and may help link FFA to altered hepatic gluconeogenesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study examined the role of TLR4 in mediating palmitate effects on the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) and the catalytic subunit of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC), rate-determining gluconeogenic enzymes.