Biomaterial Database

Evolving concepts in the pathophysiology of biliary lipid secretion. 1999

M Carrella, and E Roda

Chair of Gastroenterology, University of Udine School of Medicine, Italy. massimino.carrella@dsc.uniud.it

Secretion of biliary cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine is a complex process essentially involving lipid supply to the canalicular membrane from either preformed or neosynthetic hepatic sources, and the detergent action of bile salts. Previous research has shown that an altered secretion of biliary lipids and/or bile salts firmly disposes to gallstone formation, and may also be involved in the pathogenesis of cholestasis. Recently, attention has been turned to the molecular and genetic factors underlying biliary lipid secretion, and this approach has provided a significant body of new data among which: 1. The biochemical and genetic characterization of glycoproteins sP-gp and mdr2-Pgp functioning in the canalicular transport of bile salts and phosphatidylcholine, and the evaluation of their role in experimental and human cholestasis; 2. The identification of genetic patterns determining susceptibility to gallstone formation via an increased secretion of biliary lipids. It is likely that an expansion of these research lines and methodology will contribute to a better biochemical characterization of bile lipid secretion with expected benefits upon the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases; 3. A more defined appreciation of the coordinate roles played by the hepatocyte lipid synthesis and canalicular transport in the activation of the biliary lipid secretion pathway.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008105	Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary	FIBROSIS of the hepatic parenchyma due to obstruction of BILE flow (CHOLESTASIS) in the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts (BILE DUCTS, INTRAHEPATIC; BILE DUCTS, EXTRAHEPATIC). Primary biliary cholangitis involves the destruction of small intra-hepatic bile ducts and decreased bile secretion. Secondary biliary cholangitis is produced by prolonged obstruction of large intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts from a variety of causes.	Biliary Cirrhosis,Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary,Biliary Cirrhosis, Secondary,Cholangitis, Chronic Nonsuppurative Destructive,Liver Cirrhosis, Obstructive,Primary Biliary Cholangitis,Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary, 1,Primary Biliary Cirrhosis,Secondary Biliary Cholangitis,Secondary Biliary Cirrhosis,Biliary Cholangitides, Primary,Biliary Cholangitis, Primary,Biliary Cholangitis, Secondary,Cholangitides, Primary Biliary,Cholangitis, Primary Biliary,Cholangitis, Secondary Biliary,Cirrhosis, Biliary,Cirrhosis, Secondary Biliary,Liver Cirrhoses, Biliary,Obstructive Liver Cirrhosis,Primary Biliary Cholangitides,Secondary Biliary Cholangitides
D008297	Male		Males
D010743	Phospholipids	Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system.	Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D002769	Cholelithiasis	Presence or formation of GALLSTONES in the BILIARY TRACT, usually in the gallbladder (CHOLECYSTOLITHIASIS) or the common bile duct (CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS).	Gallstone Disease,Cholelithiases,Gallstone Diseases
D002780	Cholestasis, Intrahepatic	Impairment of bile flow due to injury to the HEPATOCYTES; BILE CANALICULI; or the intrahepatic bile ducts (BILE DUCTS, INTRAHEPATIC).	Bile Duct Obstruction, Intrahepatic,Biliary Stasis, Intrahepatic,Intrahepatic Cholestasis,Biliary Stases, Intrahepatic,Cholestases, Intrahepatic,Intrahepatic Biliary Stases,Intrahepatic Biliary Stasis,Intrahepatic Cholestases
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001646	Bile	An emulsifying agent produced in the LIVER and secreted into the DUODENUM. Its composition includes BILE ACIDS AND SALTS; CHOLESTEROL; and ELECTROLYTES. It aids DIGESTION of fats in the duodenum.	Biliary Sludge,Sludge, Biliary
D001647	Bile Acids and Salts	Steroid acids and salts. The primary bile acids are derived from cholesterol in the liver and usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. The secondary bile acids are further modified by bacteria in the intestine. They play an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat. They have also been used pharmacologically, especially in the treatment of gallstones.	Bile Acid,Bile Salt,Bile Salts,Bile Acids,Acid, Bile,Acids, Bile,Salt, Bile,Salts, Bile
D050356	Lipid Metabolism	Physiological processes in biosynthesis (anabolism) and degradation (catabolism) of LIPIDS.	Metabolism, Lipid