The bile acids have many important physiological functions and are shown to play key roles in the digestion and absorption of dietary lipids and fat soluble vitamins as well as in regulating the bile acid homeostasis, the lipids, the glucose and the energy metabolism. Recent evidences suggest that the bile acids and their nuclear receptor FXR play an important role in the cell proliferation, the differentiation, the apoptosis and the normal liver regeneration. This review elucidates the potential role of the bile acid-FXR signaling pathway in the cell proliferation, the differentiation and the liver regeneration, as well as highlights possible mechanisms involved. With the development of the bile acid-FXR signaling pathway in the cell proliferation, the differentiation and the liver regeneration, the related fundamental scientific research will be turned into practical applications in the clinical and preventive medicine.

bile acids  /  farnesoid X receptor  /  cell proliferation  /  liver regeneration  /  cell differentiation