Analysis of bile acid glucuronides in urine: group separation on a lipophilic anion exchanger

A chromatographic separation of glucuronidated bile acids using the anion exchanger diethylaminohydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20 (DEAP LH-20) is described. Group separation of non-sulfated, non-glucuronidated bile acids, bile acid glucuronides, bile acid monosulfates, and bile acid disulfates was obtained. The method allowed analysis of all these bile acid derivatives in the urine of 15 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and cholestasis. The patients excreted in mean 30.4 mumol/24 h non-sulfated, non-glucuronidated bile acids, 90.3 mumol bile acid monosulfates, and 10.2 mumol bile acid glucuronides. Glycine- or taurine-conjugated were 68% of the non-sulfated, non-glucuronidated bile acids, 96% of bile acid sulfates, and 81% of bile acid glucuronides.