ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the essential features of intestinal bile acid absorption, highlights some of the intraluminal events which influence this process and describes some pathophysiology in certain clinical settings. It addresses certain clinical implications. The intestinal absorption of bile acids in mammals occurs predominately in the small intestine, in particular, the more distal portion, the ileum. This absorptive process has characteristics similar to that of other substrates, as well as some features which are unique to this chemical class of molecules. While considerable research attention has been given to the active bile acid transport process, passive intestinal transport of these sterols continues to be of significant physiologic importance. Besides the permeability characteristics of the intestinal mucosal membrane to specific bile acids species, the most important variables affecting the rate of passive absorption of bile acids across the intestine are centered on the physiochemical state of these molecules in solution.
