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Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
The Physiological Importance of Bile Acid Structure and Composition on Glucose Homeostasis
Sei Higuchi1,2
1Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. sh3440@cumc.columbia.edu.
Purpose Of Review:
Studies have identified several effects of bile acids (BAs) in glucose homeostasis, energy expenditure, and body weight control, through receptor-dependent and independent mechanisms. BAs are produced from cholesterol and characterized by their structures, which result from enzymes in the liver and the gut microbiota. The aim of this review is to characterize the effects of BA structure and composition on diabetes.
Recent Findings:
The hydroxyl groups of BAs interact with binding pockets of receptors and enzymes that affect glucose homeostasis. Human and animal studies show that BA composition is associated with insulin resistance and food intake regulation. The hydroxylation of BAs and BA composition contributes to glucose regulation. Modulation of BA composition has the potential to improve glucose metabolism.
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