Hepatic FXR-FGF4 is required for bile acid homeostasis via an FGFR4-LRH-1 signal node under cholestatic stress.

Bile acid (BA) homeostasis is vital for various physiological processes, whereas its disruption underlies cholestasis. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a master regulator of BA homeostasis via the ileal fibroblast growth factor (FGF)15/19 endocrine pathway, responding to postprandial or abnormal transintestinal BA flux. However, the de novo paracrine signal mediator of hepatic FXR, which governs the extent of BA synthesis within the liver in non-postprandial or intrahepatic cholestatic conditions, remains unknown.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 ameliorates cholestatic liver injury via a hepatic FGFR4-JNK pathway.

Cholestasis is characterized by hepatic accumulation of cytotoxic bile acids (BAs), which often subsequently leads to liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a liver-secreted hormone with pleiotropic effects on the homeostasis of glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism. However, whether hepatic FGF21 plays a role in cholestatic liver injury remains elusive.

[Sources and spatial distribution of typical heavy metal pollutants in soils in Xihu Scenic Area].

Due to the importance as a famous scenic area in China and its special geographical position, heavy metal pollution in soils in Xihu Scenic Area has attracted great concerns. Typical heavy metals in surface soils (0- 20 cm) in Xihu Scenic Area was investigated using the grid sampling method and statistical analysis and Aregis approaches. It was suggested that there were anthropogenic accumulations of Cu, Zn and Pb in soils, and they were the main heavy metal pollutants in Xihu Scenic Area.