Bile acids

Abstract

The liver is involved in a variety of both synthetic and catabolic functions, including metabolism of amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, protein synthesis and detoxification [1]. These metabolic functions are performed mainly by hepatocytes, although the liver is made of three major cell types (hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells and Kupffer cells). Exerting many different metabolic functions, the liver contains several different and specific enzymes, leakage of which into the bloodstream occurs in hepatic diseases. Among the different roles previously described, the liver exerts an excretory function, being involved in the formation of bile, which drains into the small intestine. Bile salts in the bile play an important role as emulsifying agents for the reabsorption of lipids and fatty acids from the intestine. Hepatic and obstructive biliary diseases lead to abnormal metabolism of bile acids (BAs). © 2008 Springer-Verlag.