Taurolithocholic acid-3 sulfate impairs insulin signaling in cultured rat hepatocytes and perfused rat liver.

Background/aims: The role of bile acids for insulin resistance in cholestatic liver disease is unknown.

Methods: The effect of taurolithocholic acid-3 sulfate (TLCS) on insulin signaling was studied in cultured rat hepatocytes and perfused rat liver.

Results: TLCS induced insulin resistance at the level of insulin receptor (IR) beta Tyr(1158) phosphorylation, phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase activity and protein kinase (PK)B Ser(473) phosphorylation in cultured hepatocytes.