Potential Of Bile Acids Research Articles

The Potential of Bile Acids as Biomarkers for Metabolic Disorders.

Bile acids (BAs) are well known to facilitate the absorption of dietary fat and fat-soluble molecules. These unique steroids also function by binding to the ubiquitous cell membranes and nuclear receptors. As chemical signals in gut-liver axis, the presence of metabolic disorders such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and even tumors have been reported to be closely related to abnormal levels of BAs in the blood and fecal metabolites of patients. Thus, the gut microbiota interacting with BAs and altering BA metabolism are critical in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases. This review intends to summarize the mechanistic links between metabolic disorders and BAs in gut-liver axis, and such stage-specific BA perturbation patterns may provide clues for developing new auxiliary diagnostic means.

Bile acids, bioactive signalling molecules in interoceptive gut-to-brain communication.

Aside from facilitating solubilisation and absorption of dietary lipids and lipid‐soluble vitamins, amphipathic bile acids (BAs) also act as bioactive signalling molecules. A plethora of conjugated or unconjugated primary and bacterially modified secondary BA moieties have been identified, with significant divergence between species. These molecules are excreted into the external environment of the intestinal lumen, yet nuclear and membrane receptors that are sensitive to BAs are expressed internally in the liver, intestinal and neural tissues, amongst others. The diversity of BAs and receptors underpins the multitude of distinct bioactive functions attributed to BAs, but also hampers elucidation of the physiological mechanisms underpinning these actions. In this Topical Review, we have considered the potential of BAs as cross‐barrier signalling molecules that contribute to interoceptive pathways informing the central nervous system of environmental changes in the gut lumen. Activation of BAs on FGF19‐secreting enterocytes, enteroendocrine cells coupled to sensory nerves or intestinal immune cells would facilitate indirect signalling, whereas direct activation of BA receptors in the brain is likely to occur primarily under pathophysiological conditions when concentrations of BAs are elevated.

Effects of bile acids on aflatoxin B1 bioaccumulation, detoxification system, and growth performance of Pacific white shrimp

The potential of bile acids (BAs) to reduce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) residues and toxicity in Litopenaeus vannamei was evaluated. Both juveniles and subadults were treated with 0, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.25 g/kg BAs for 60 days followed by 10-d AFB1 exposure (2000 μg/kg), and fifteen shrimp (five shrimp were pooled into one sample, n = 3) from each treatment were collected at five time points (30, 60, 63, 66 and 70 d). All parameters were determined using accepted and standard methods with acceptable accuracy (recovery) of 90–110%. Results demonstrated that BAs reduced the AFB1 residues in shrimp (limit of detection: 0.01 μg/L, relative standard deviation < 10% and recovery: 92.1–96.8%). BAs increased the detoxification of AFB1 and decreased the levels of oxidative stress products by increasing Phase II and antioxidant systems, avoiding AFB1-induced deterioration of shrimp meat and health risks to human. The confidence level was 95%.

Formation of unusual trihydroxy bile acids in humans: Mechanism for decreasing hydrophobicity and toxic potential of bile acids?

Formation of unusual trihydroxy bile acids in humans: Mechanism for decreasing hydrophobicity and toxic potential of bile acids?