Objectives  To investigate the effect of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) on the expression of liver fatty acidbinding protein (L-FABP).   Methods  Human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells and hepatocyte LO2 cells were treated with FXR agonists chenodesoxycholic acid (CDCA）at 50 and 100 μmol/L or GW4064 at 1 and 5 μmol/L respectively. The L-FABP and the specific gene of FXR-small heterodimer partner (SHP) were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The L-FABP protein level was determined by Western blotting.   Results  After treated with CDCA or GW4064

SHP mRNA level in HepG2 and LO2 was increased obviously

which suggested FXR was functional in those cells. The mRNA and protein levels of L-FABP was decreased dramatically in those cells (P0.05).   Conclusion  Farnesoid X receptor down-regulates the expression of L-FABP in hepatocytes.