[Disorders of bile secretion, Pathophysiological principles and therapeutic possibilities (author's transl)]

A number of disturbing factors may lead to total impairment of bile secretion by altering the physical chemical properties, enzyme activites of the number of available receptors of the hepatocyte plasma membrane or raise the permeability of the biliary tract. Other disturbing factors change the composition of the bile and may consequently favor the formation of gallstones. More recent information on the formation of gallstones has led in a relatively short time to a better recognition, prophylaxis and therapy of individual disorders of bile secretion. Thus the tendency to form cholesterol concrements can be detected by investigating the bile. Knowledge of risk factors makes prophylaxis possible and today the pharmacological control of biliary lipid secretion permits drug therapy of certain forms of gallstones disorders.