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Cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid
Bile acids are water-soluble cholesterol breakdown products which are
secreted into the bile
They recirculate in bile, aiding fat absorption in the intestine
Diseases affecting hepatic function and GI absorption affect serum bile
acid levels
Since absorption problems can generally be separated from hepatocellular
disease on clinical grounds, bile acids are relatively specific for hepatobiliary
disease--but are nonspecific within that category
Bile acid levels are considered to be the most sensitive indicator of
hepatic or biliary disease: they may be abnormal in inactive cirrhosis
and late convalescent hepatitis when other tests are normal
Normal bile acids in a 2-hour postprandial specimen are a strong indication
that the liver and biliary tree are normal.
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