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Liver, Nutrition, and Bile Acids pp 113–130Cite as

Fecal Bile Acids in Health and Disease

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Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 90))

Abstract

Normal healthy adults consuming a mixed western diet excrete up to 500 mg of bile acids in feces each day. These acids are derived from the small proportion of micelles and bile acid conjugates that are not reabsorbed in the terminal ileum and enter the colon. Prior to excretion these substances and deconjugated and undergo a range of transformations mediated by the intestinal bacteria[l]. In addition to the secondary bile acids, lithocholic acid and deoxycholic acid (Figure 1), which normally dominate the fecal bile acid profile, a complex mixture of minor bile acids are excreted along with trace amounts of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid[2]. Although fecal loss of bile acids is quite normal there is a growing body of evidence that abnormal fecal levels of the substrates may be associated with the risk of developing colorectal cancer[3]. This chapter will review some of the dietary and microbiological factors that influence the excretion of bile acids.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PHLS Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research Bacterial Metabolism Research Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK

    Michael H. Thompson

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  1. Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, Milan, Italy

    G. Galli  & E. Bosisio  & 

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© 1985 Plenum Press, New York

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Thompson, M.H. (1985). Fecal Bile Acids in Health and Disease. In: Galli, G., Bosisio, E. (eds) Liver, Nutrition, and Bile Acids. NATO ASI Series, vol 90. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9427-7_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9427-7_9

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