Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2025
08:42
Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
11.1K
Association of Fontan Pathophysiology With Plasma Bile Acids
Ashish H Shah1, Arun Surendran2, Pedram Hassan-Tash3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Albrechtsen Research Center, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
JACC. Advances
|January 19, 2025
Summary
Elevated bile acids (BAs) are linked to poorer Fontan circulation physiology. This study found higher BA levels in Fontan patients, associated with increased frailty and reduced exercise capacity, suggesting BAs as potential biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Metabolomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Patients with Fontan circulation exhibit multisystem dysfunction, including poor exercise capacity and cardiac output, and progressive liver fibrosis.
- Underlying biochemical abnormalities and disease-specific biomarkers in Fontan physiology remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate metabolic differences in patients with Fontan circulation compared to healthy controls.
- To identify potential biomarkers using nontargeted and targeted metabolomic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Compared 20 Fontan patients and 20 healthy controls on body composition, frailty markers, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
- Performed nontargeted metabolomics and targeted plasma bile acid (BA) analysis.
Main Results:
- Fontan patients showed lower skeletal muscle mass, reduced exercise capacity (%VO2 max), and poorer hemodynamics.
- Nontargeted metabolomics revealed elevated bile acids (BAs), oxylipins, and leucine metabolites in Fontan patients.
- Seventeen specific BAs were significantly elevated and negatively correlated with age, frailty, and cardiopulmonary function.
Conclusions:
- Elevated bile acids are associated with worsening Fontan physiology.
- These findings suggest BAs as potential biomarkers for Fontan-associated dysfunction and warrant further investigation.
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