Bile acid regulation of hepatic physiology: I. Hepatocyte transport of bile acids

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2003 Feb;284(2):G175-9. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00409.2002.

Abstract

Bile acids are cholesterol derivatives that serve as detergents in bile and the small intestine. Approximately 95% of bile acids secreted by hepatocytes into bile are absorbed from the distal ileum into the portal venous system. Extraction from the portal circulation by the hepatocyte followed by reexcretion into the bile canaliculus completes the enterohepatic circulation of these compounds. Over the past few years, candidate bile acid transport proteins of the sinusoidal and canalicular plasma membranes of the hepatocyte have been identified. The physiology of hepatocyte bile acid transport and its relationship to these transport proteins is the subject of this Themes article.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Bile Acids and Salts / physiology*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / physiology*

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Carrier Proteins