Fig. 2

Comparative analysis of hepatic levels of obeticholic acid (OCA) target gene expression and bile acid composition in the responder and non-responder groups after treatment. (A) Comparative analysis of the hepatic levels of OCA target gene expression levels in the vehicle and OCA groups. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of mean. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, and ****p < 0.0001 (Unpaired t-test and one-way analysis of variance). The expression levels of genes involved in the (B) classical and (C) alternative pathways of bile acid synthesis. (D) Comparative analysis of hepatic Star mRNA levels. Data are mean ± standard error of mean. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, and ****p < 0.0001 (one-way analysis of variance). (E) Immunoblotting and (F) quantification of hepatic protein levels of Cyp7a1, Cyp8b1, Cyp7b1, and Cyp39a1 (vehicle (n = 8), non-responder (n = 11) and responder (n = 7)). Data are presented as mean ± standard error of mean. **p < 0.01 (one-way analysis of variance). (G, H, and I) Analysis of bile acid composition in the mouse liver tissue. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of mean. **p < 0.01 (Mann-Whitney U test). (J) Correlation between Cyp39a1 and Cyp7b1 mRNA levels and muricholic acids (MCAs). Correlation was analyzed using the nonparametric Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05