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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
Microbial flora and bile acid metabolism in patients with an ileal reservoir
P M Go1, M P van Dieijen-Visser, B I Davies
1Dept. of Surgery, De Wever Hospital, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Bacterial flora of ileum effluent and bile acid metabolism were investigated in 11 patients 11-44 months after construction of a Kock's continent ileostomy. Bacteriologic investigation showed significantly more microorganisms per millilitre (p less than 0.01) and a more colon-like flora--that is, anaerobic microorganisms (p less than 0.001)--in ileum effluent of continent ileostomy patients than in ileum effluent of patients with a conventional ileostomy. The reabsorptive capacity of the reservoir mucosa was tested by direct introduction of a radioactively labelled conjugated bile acid, 23-75Se-25-homotaurocholic acid (SeHCAT), into the ileal pouch. After 4 h, 90% of the SeHCAT activity had been reabsorbed from the reservoir. Quantitative and differential analysis of bile acids in the ileum effluent showed unconjugated and predominantly primary (88%) bile acids, suggesting a minimal influence of bacterial flora on bile acid metabolism. Moreover, total bile acid loss appeared to be within normal limits.
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