Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
Effects of bile acids on the growth, composition and metabolism of gut bacteria
Yi-Lei Peng1,2,3, Si-Han Wang1,2,3, Yu-Long Zhang1,2,3
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Abstract:
Bile acids (BAs) exert a profound influence on the body's pathophysiology by intricately shaping the composition of gut bacteria. However, the complex interplay between BAs and gut microbiota has impeded a systematic exploration of their impact on intestinal bacteria. Initially, we investigated the effects of 21 BAs on the growth of 65 gut bacterial strains in vitro. Subsequently, we examined the impact of BAs on the overall composition of intestinal bacteria, both in vivo and in vitro. The results unveiled distinct effects of various BAs on different intestinal strains and their diverse impacts on the composition of gut bacteria. Mechanistically, the inhibition of intestinal strains by BAs occurs through the accumulation of these acids within the strains. The intracellular accumulation of deoxycholic acid (DCA) significantly influenced the growth of intestinal bacteria by impacting ribosome transcription and amino-acid metabolism. The metabolomic analysis underscores the pronounced impact of DCA on amino-acid profiles in both in vivo and in vitro settings. This study not only elucidates the effects of BAs on a diverse range of bacterial strains and their role in shaping the gut microbiota but also reveals underlying mechanisms essential for understanding and maintaining a healthy gut microbiota.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Bile
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Disease States and Pharmacology
Substances such as alcohol and specific drugs, including antineoplastics, can also negatively impact drug absorption. For instance,...
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors
Lipid Catabolism

