Hepatic Overexpression of Abcb11 Promotes Hypercholesterolemia and Obesity in Mice

Hepatic overexpression of Abcb11 in mice promotes diet-induced obesity and hypercholesterolemia; increased intestinal cholesterol absorption by hydrophobic bile acids might cause these features. Increased absorption of fatty acids in the intestine and reduced expenditure of energy could increase weight gain in TTR-Abcb11 mice. In humans, variations in expression of ABCB11 might confer genetic susceptibility to diet-induced hyperlipidemia and obesity.