Inhibition of Intestinal Amino Acid Absorption by Unconjugated Bile Salt in Vivo

Abstract

The intestinal absorption of 5 amino acids studied (L-lysine, L-glycine, L-leucine and L-tyrosine) and 1 dipeptide (glycyl-glycine) was significantly inhibited by the deconjugated bile salt, sodium deoxycholate, in rats in vivo. Inhibition of absorption of amino acids and dipeptides by unconjugated bile salts may contribute to hypoproteinemia in patients with the contaminated small-bowel syndrome. Unconjugated bile salts may have important harmful effects on intestinal function in states characterized by bacterial overgrowth.