Effects of FXR Activation on Hepatic Lipid and Glucose Metabolism

1. Age between 18 and 65 years.

2. Patients with a metabolic syndrome defined by the presence of >= 3 of the following criteria:

   • Abdominal obesity (waist circumference > 102 cm in men, > 88 cm in women)
   • Fasting plasma triglycerides > 1.7 mmol/l
   • HDL cholesterol \< 1.0 mmol/l in men and \< 1.3 mmol/l in women
   • Blood pressure > 130/85 mmHg or antihypertensive medication
   • Fasting plasma glucose > 6.1 mmol/l

3. Patients with Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia characterized by the following criteria:

   • Fasting plasma triglycerides > 1.7 mmol/l
   • Fasting plasma apolipoprotein B concentrations > 1.2 g/l
   • Family history with hypertriglyceridemia and/or hypercholesterolemia present in at least 1 additional first degree family members

4. Patients with Familial Hypertriglyceridemia characterized by the following criteria:

   • Fasting plasma triglycerides > 2.3 mmol/l
   • Family history of hypertriglyceridemia in at least 1 additional first degree family member
   • Absence of the metabolic syndrome as defined above

5. Controls fulfilling the following criteria:

   • Non smoking.
   • No current or previous organ or systemic disease (including diabetes and lipid disorders).
   • Plasma triglycerides and cholesterol within the normal range (see exclusion criteria).
   • Plasma glucose concentrations \<6.1 mmol/l Subjects meeting criterium 1 and any of the criteria 2. - 5. are eligible for the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any significant hepatic, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, hematological or endocrine disease.
2. Any form of primary or secondary hyperlipidemia other than the metabolic syndrome, FHTG or FCHL. [These may include: Familial hypercholesterolemia and Familial defective apolipoprotein B (to be assessed by family history and lipid profiles), and Familial Dysbetalipoproteinemia (to be assessed by apo E genotyping), hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, cholestatic liver disease, drug induced hyperlipidemia (thiazides > 25 mg/d, non cardioselective betablockers, isotretinoin, systemic glucocorticoids, cyclosporin A, tacrolimus, non nucleoside HIV protease inhibitors)].
3. Plasma TG levels > 12 mmol/l in the past or at any time point during the study.
4. History of acute pancreatitis
5. History of cardiovascular disease, i.e. coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, when assessed by medical history, physical exam. Additionally, a stress test will be performed in subjects with MS and FCHL at risk for CHD (see below).
6. Pregnant or Breast Feeding women
7. Woman of childbearing potential not using a reliable method of birth control such as oral contraceptives or IUD.
8. Alcohol intake of greater than 1 drink daily.
9. Cigarette smokers
10. History of claustrophobia
11. Ferromagnetic implants including pacemakers.
12. Subjects refusing or unable to give written informed consent.