Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
08:42

Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport

Published on: November 27, 2016

11.6K

Urinary antimicrobials are associated with bile acid homeostasis and childhood obesity

Yuanping Wang1, Pu Liu2, Yi Wang1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education/School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|December 16, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial exposure in children is linked to changes in bile acid balance and a higher risk of obesity. Bile acid disruption may partially explain this connection, highlighting a potential public health concern.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Environmental Health
  • Metabolomics

Background:

  • Limited research exists on the impact of antimicrobial exposure on bile acid homeostasis and adipogenesis in children.
  • Antimicrobials may influence metabolic pathways relevant to body weight regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between antimicrobial exposure, bile acid profiles, and adipogenesis markers in a pediatric population.
  • To explore the potential mediating role of bile acid dysregulation in the relationship between antimicrobials and childhood obesity.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1134 children in Shanghai had urinary antimicrobials and bile acids measured.
  • Adipogenesis indicators included BMI, waist circumference, and overweight/obesity classifications.
  • Bile acid ratios were calculated to assess microbial transformation.

Main Results:

  • Antimicrobial exposure correlated with altered levels of specific bile acids (e.g., LCA, GCDCA) and bile acid ratios.
  • Urinary antimicrobials were positively associated with BMI, waist circumference, and central obesity.
  • Children with higher antimicrobial concentrations exhibited increased odds of central overweight/obesity.

Conclusions:

  • Antimicrobial exposure may disrupt bile acid homeostasis, potentially increasing childhood obesity risk.
  • Bile acid dysregulation appears to be a partial mediator in the link between antimicrobial exposure and pediatric obesity.
Abstract

Keywords:
AntimicrobialBile acidChildrenChinaObesityUrine

More Related Videos

Ileectomy-induced Bile Overaccumulation in Mouse Intestine06:55

Ileectomy-induced Bile Overaccumulation in Mouse Intestine

Published on: August 21, 2017

10.0K
Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification10:05

Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification

Published on: May 6, 2018

13.2K

Related Concept Videos

Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention01:27

Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention

Management of renal calculi focuses on effective strategies like tailored nutrition and hydration therapy. Adjusting diet and fluid intake reduces stone formation and recurrence, making these interventions simple yet powerful in kidney stone prevention and management.Understanding Kidney StonesKidney stones form when calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and cystine concentrate and crystallize in urine. Factors contributing to their formation include genetic predisposition, certain medical conditions,...
339
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
229
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
159
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
230
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors01:16

Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors

The biliary system of the liver, crucial for bile secretion and drug excretion, comprises intrahepatic bile ducts that merge to form the common hepatic duct. This duct, carrying hepatic bile, combines with the cystic duct, draining the gallbladder and forming the common bile duct, which empties into the duodenum. Bile, produced by hepatic cells lining the bile canaliculi, is composed primarily of water, bile salts, pigments, electrolytes, and lesser amounts of cholesterol and fatty acids. Bile...
504
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
174