Up-regulation of hepatic CD36 by increased corticosterone/cortisol levels via GR leads to lipid accumulation in liver and hypertriglyceridaemia during pregnancy.

Increased corticosterone/cortisol induces liver lipid accumulation and hypertriglyceridaemia during pregnancy by accelerating fatty acid uptake into hepatocytes via activation of GR and its target gene, CD36. Our results may be useful for the prevention of severe hypertriglyceridaemia and associated pregnancy complications.