Hepatic biotransformation and conjugation of dehydrocholic acid in patients with cirrhosis
Poupon, R.Y.; Raizman, A.; Brumault, J.C.; Infante, R.; Darnis, F.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 3(12): 879-884
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 535692 Document Number: 145580
To assess the capacity of reduction and conjugation of bile acids by the cirrhotic liver, the biotransformation of dehydrocholic acid (DHC) in 7 patients with cirrhosis and 6 control subjects was studied in both cirrhotics and controls, DHC was secreted in bile after being partly transformed into 3-OH and 3 = O derivatives. The proportions of these 2 derivatives were not significantly different in cirrhotics and controls. Before administration of DHC, unconjugated bile acids were not found in bile. After administration of DHC, about 5/100 of the bile acids in bile were unconjugated. The proportion of unconjugated bile acids was not significantly different in cirrhotics and controls. Before administration of DHC, distribution of glycine and taurine conjugates were similar in both groups. After administration of DHC, the molar ratio of glycine to taurine conjugates was significantly higher in control subjects than in cirrhotic subjects. This higher ratio in control subjects was due to the presence in bile of a glycine conjugate with an Rf slightly less than that of glycochenodeoxycholic acid. The cirrhotic liver as the normal liver is apparently able to conjugate and reduce the 3 = O group of the fraction of DHC extracted from the blood. Conjugation is probably not a mandatory step for bile acid excretion in man.