Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

08:56
Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis
Published on: February 10, 2015
Summary
Serum bile acid profiles reveal conjugated monohydroxy bile acids in primary biliary cirrhosis and cholestasis patients. Cholestyramine therapy altered bile acid ratios, but no specific bile acid correlated with pruritus.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and cholestasis are liver conditions characterized by impaired bile flow.
- Altered bile acid metabolism is implicated in the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum bile acid profiles in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and cholestasis.
- To evaluate the effect of cholestyramine therapy on bile acid concentrations and ratios in PBC patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum bile acid classes in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, cholestasis, and cirrhosis without cholestasis.
- Measurement of bile acid concentrations before and during cholestyramine therapy in PBC patients.
Main Results:
- Conjugated monohydroxy bile acids were detected in 11/15 PBC patients and 4/5 cholestasis patients, but not in cirrhosis patients.
- The glycine conjugates/taurine conjugates (G/T) ratio was <1.0 in 8/11 PBC patients and 2/4 cholestasis patients.
- Cholestyramine therapy in PBC patients led to decreased total bile acids, with increases in the trihydroxy/dihydroxy and G/T ratios in most patients.
Conclusions:
- Serum bile acid patterns differ between primary biliary cirrhosis, cholestasis, and non-cholestatic cirrhosis.
- Cholestyramine therapy impacts bile acid profiles in PBC.
- No direct correlation was found between specific bile acid concentrations and the presence of pruritus.
Related Concept Videos
Bile
Bile is a crucial bodily fluid, characterized by its yellow-green color and alkaline nature. Produced in the liver, it is transported through the common hepatic duct into either the cystic duct, leading to the gallbladder, or directly into the common bile duct. The flow of bile is regulated by the sphincter of Oddi located at the entrance of the duodenum. When this sphincter is closed, bile is redirected to the gallbladder for storage and concentration.
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
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...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction
Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Jaundice
Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...

