Related Experiment Video
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
High concentration and retained amidation of fecal bile acids in patients with active ulcerative colitis
Abstract:
Fecal bile acid profiles of 14 patients with ulcerative colitis in the active phase were analyzed to study the potential significance of bile acids in the pathophysiology of this disease, and the results were compared with those in 12 healthy controls. The excretion levels of total bile acids (mean +/- SD) in patients were higher than in controls, 445.1 +/- 392.1 vs 215.5 +/- 148.0 mumol/day, 3.1 +/- 1.7 vs 1.6 +/- 1.0 mumol/g wet feces (P less than 0.05), and 17.2 +/- 9.2 vs 12.4 +/- 13.3 mumol/g dry feces. Fecal profiles of individual bile acids showed higher levels of primary bile acids (52 +/- 27%) in patients compared to those (26 +/- 21%) in controls. Proportions of glycine and taurine conjugates in patients (26 +/- 24%) were higher than in controls (5 +/- 2%) (P less than 0.05), whereas proportions of unconjugates and sulfates were lower in patients than in controls. Accordingly the extent of deconjugation and dehydroxylation of bile acids was lower in patients than in controls. These trends were prominent in patients with more severe disease activity. A high concentration of bile acids in the intestine may have a significant role in the pathophysiology of ulcerative colitis at active phase.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

