Hepatobiliary tract diseases

Since hepatobiliary and intestinal dysfunctions are marked by variation in the concentration and relative proportions of major BAs and by increased levels of their minor forms, individual identification and accurate quantification of these compounds in biological samples are very important prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic monitoring indicators of liver and gastrointestinal tract diseases in humans. 

CT is a technique that uses ionising radiation and computer processing to generate cross-sectional three-dimensional images of the internal organs. In assessment of the hepatobiliary tract both an oral contrast agent and an intravenous contrast medium are required to visualise the bowel and blood vessels, respectively. In the context of hepatobiliary disease, CT is particularly useful in assessing the extent of mass lesions. 

CF is a disease of epithelia, especially the cells lining the intestinal tract, pancreatic ducts, hepatobiliary tree, vas deferens, sweat ducts,... 

The absorption and excretion of choline have been studied in normal subjects and in patients with hepatobiliary diseases. After oral administration of 2 to 8 g. of choline base, only small amounts of choline were detected in the urine, while approximately two-thirds of the ingested choline nitrogen was excreted as trimethylamine and its oxide. Incubated stool dilutions were shown to transform choline to trimethylamine. After intravenous administration of choline, urinary trimethylamine excretion did not increase. These findings suggest that trimethylamine is formed from choline in the intestinal tract. Since trimethylamine is a substance without lipotropic activity, it would appear that oral therapy with choline could not be expected to produce markedly beneficial effects. 

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