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Urinary monohydroxy bile acids in young infants with obstructive jaundice

Y Tazawa, T Konno

    Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
    |January 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Young infants lack lithocholic acid but excrete 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid, a finding significant for diagnosing obstructive jaundice in infants and adults. This bile acid

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Metabolic Disorders

    Background:

    • Bile acids are crucial for digestion and metabolism.
    • Monohydroxy bile acids play a role in liver function and disease.
    • Understanding bile acid profiles in infants is vital for diagnosing pediatric liver conditions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To quantitatively determine urinary monohydroxy bile acids in young infants.
    • To compare bile acid profiles in infants with and without obstructive jaundice.
    • To investigate the presence and levels of specific monohydroxy bile acids, such as 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid, in different age groups and conditions.

    Main Methods:

    • Urine samples were fractionated using an aluminum oxide column.
    • Quantitative determination of urinary monohydroxy bile acids was performed.
    • Bile acid levels were measured in young infants, older children, and adults with obstructive jaundice.

    Main Results:

    • Lithocholic acid was absent in all young infant samples.
    • 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid was detected in all young infants.
    • Infants with biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis showed elevated 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid excretion compared to total bile acids.
    • Older children and adults with obstructive jaundice exhibited higher excretion rates of 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid.
    • Excretion of 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid correlated with chenodeoxycholic acid in infants and with both chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid in older individuals.

    Conclusions:

    • The absence of lithocholic acid and presence of 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid are characteristic of young infants.
    • Urinary 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid levels may serve as a biomarker for obstructive jaundice in pediatric populations.
    • The correlation between 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid and other bile acids provides insights into metabolic pathways in liver disease.

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