Objective     To determine the effect of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) on the expression of fibroblast growth factor21 (FGF21) in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells and hepatocyte L02 cells.     Methods     After HepG2 cells and L02 cells were treated with FXR agonist chenodesoxycholic acid (CDCA) at 0

50 or 100 μmol/L

or with another agonist GW4064 at 0

1 or 5 μmol/L respectively. The FXR specific target gene small heterodimer partner (SHP) and the FGF21 mRNA level were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

and FGF21 protein level was determined by Western blotting.     Results     After treated with CDCA and GW4064

the mRNA expression of SHP was significantly increased in the treated HepG2 and L02 cells when compared with the untreated cells respectively (P0.05)

which suggested that FXR was functionally activated in those cells. The mRNA and protein expressions of FGF21 were also increased in those treated cells (P0.05).     Conclusion      FXR receptor upregulates the expression of FGF21 in hepatocytes.