Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

08:42
Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
Does abnormal bile acid metabolism contribute to NEC?
Melissa D Halpern1, Bohuslav Dvorak
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724-5073, USA. mhalpern@peds.arizona.edu
Seminars in Perinatology
|March 19, 2008
Summary
Bile acids (BAs) accumulate in the intestine during necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), worsening the condition. Preventing BA accumulation reduces NEC severity, suggesting a key role for bile acids in this disease.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatal Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Bile acids (BAs) are crucial for fat digestion and absorption in the intestine and liver.
- Intestinal accumulation of BAs can damage the intestinal epithelium.
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe intestinal disease affecting neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bile acids (BAs) in the development of experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- To determine if altered bile acid transporters contribute to NEC pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a neonatal rat model of NEC.
- Measured ileal lumen and enterocyte BA levels.
- Assessed the impact of preventing BA accumulation on NEC development.
- Examined alterations in bile acid transporter expression during NEC.
Main Results:
- Bile acids (BAs) accumulate in the ileal lumen and enterocytes of neonatal rats with NEC.
- Increased BA levels correlate positively with NEC severity.
- Preventing BA accumulation significantly reduces NEC severity in neonatal rats.
- Bile acid transporters are altered during NEC development.
Conclusions:
- Bile acids (BAs) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of experimental NEC.
- Impaired regulation of BA transporters may contribute to ileal damage in NEC.
- Targeting BA accumulation or transport could be a therapeutic strategy for NEC.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
Necrosis
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Bile
Bile is a crucial bodily fluid, characterized by its yellow-green color and alkaline nature. Produced in the liver, it is transported through the common hepatic duct into either the cystic duct, leading to the gallbladder, or directly into the common bile duct. The flow of bile is regulated by the sphincter of Oddi located at the entrance of the duodenum. When this sphincter is closed, bile is redirected to the gallbladder for storage and concentration.
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive and irreversible inflammation of the pancreas, most often caused by long-term alcohol abuse, but it can also be related to ductal obstruction, smoking, or genetic factors.Chronic pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is repeatedly exposed to harmful agents like alcohol, smoking, ductal obstruction, or genetic predisposition. These factors lead to the release of toxic metabolites and inflammatory cytokines, sustaining chronic inflammation in the pancreatic...
Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
