Bile Acid Content of Human Serum. I. Serum Bile Acids in Patients with Hepatic Disease1

Abstract

Bile acids were not detected in the serum or urine of subjects with normal liver function. In patients with Laennec''s cirrhosis, uncon-jugated dihydroxy bile acid collected in the serum. Bile acid was generally absent from the urine. In patients with biliary obstruction, both di- and trihydroxy bile acids, of conjugated type, are present in serum and urine. The ratio of tri- to dihydroxy bile acid in the serum indicated the relative intensities of biliary regurgitation and of hepato-cellular injury in the hepatic disorder.