The use of human hepatocytes to investigate bile acid synthesis

De novo synthesis of bile acids is a liver-specific function that is difficult to maintain in cultured cells. There are significant species differences in both types of bile acids formed and more importantly in the regulation of bile acid homeostasis. This highlights the need for a good human in vitro model. Isolated primary human hepatocytes have the capacity to synthesize normal conjugated bile acids at a rate similar to that in vivo. In this chapter we describe the importance of different culture conditions such as choice of substrate, media and supplements on the total bile acid production as wells as the bile acid composition.