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Deoxycholic and sulpholithocholic acid concentrations in serum during infancy and childhood
Insights
Secondary bile acid serum concentrations in infants are initially similar to maternal levels, decrease significantly in the first months of life, and then rise, suggesting maternal origin and potential infant synthesis pathways.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neonatology
Background:
- Secondary bile acids, deoxycholic acid (DCA) and sulpholithocholic acid (SLCA), play roles in infant digestion and development.
- Understanding the ontogeny of bile acid metabolism is crucial for assessing infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify serum concentrations of DCA and SLCA in infants and children from birth to 15 years.
- To compare infant bile acid levels with umbilical cord serum to understand perinatal transfer and early life changes.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassays were used to measure serum DCA and SLCA concentrations.
- Samples were collected from infants (1 hour to 15 years) and umbilical cord serum.
Main Results:
- Infant serum DCA and SLCA levels at 1 hour mirrored umbilical cord serum concentrations.
- After 7 days, secondary bile acid levels dropped significantly until 3-6 months of age.
- Serum DCA concentrations increased significantly after 6 months, and were lower than SLCA in the first 6 months.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal DCA in infants appears to be primarily of maternal origin.
- An alternative hepatic pathway for lithocholic acid synthesis may be active in early infancy.
Abstract:
The concentrations of the two secondary bile acids (deoxycholic (DCA) and sulpholithocholic (SLCA) acid) were determined by radioimmunoassays in the serum of infants and children at ages ranging from 1 hour to 15 years. The same bile acids were measured also in the umbilical cord serum. The concentrations of the secondary bile acids in the serum of 1-hour old infants corresponded to those in the umbilical cord serum. Secondary bile acid serum concentrations were after the age of 7 days and up to the age of 3 to 6 months significantly lower than those in the umbilical cord serum. After the age of 6 months a significant increase in DCA serum concentrations could be shown. During the first 6 months of life DCA concentrations were clearly lower than those of SLCA. Our observations suggest that in the perinatal period DCA is mainly of maternal origin and that an alternate hepatic pathway may exist for the synthesis of lithocholic acid in early infancy.