An enzymatic method of determining 7 alpha-hydroxylated bile acids in urine

A recently developed enzymatic method of determining unsulphated 7 alpha-hydroxylated bile acids in serum was evaluated for the analysis of bile acids in urine after hydrolysis of the sulphate esters. Results obtained using the enzymatic method were compared to those obtained by radioimmunoassay of 7 alpha-hydroxylated bile acids in urine samples from patients. Results of the enzymatic method were also compared to results of gas-liquid chromatography of individual bile acids after group separation of the bile acids on Sephadex-DEAP-LH-20. There was significant correlation between the enzymatic method and radioimmunoassay for bile acid determination in urine. The analysis of different conjugates after group separation of bile acids revealed no unspecific reactions when compared to gas-liquid chromatography. The reference range for 7 alpha-hydroxylated urinary bile acids was in agreement with earlier published results.