Oesophageal Bile Acid Exposure

Bile acids are recycled via the enterohepatic circulation, with less than 5% of the total bile acid pool entering the colon.Bile adds are reabsorbed by ileum columnar epithelium cells and are transported back to the liver by the portal vein where they are extracted by hepatocytes. Approximately 6-12 enterohepatic circulations occur daily. Free bile acids, like DCA, are partly absorbed into the colon and enter the enterohepatic circulation, where they are 

C24 bile acids are synthesised in the liver from cholesterol. The bacterial enzyme 7-a dehydroxylase converts CDCA into LCA and converts CA into DCA. UDCA a tertiary bile acid is also shown. 

It is important to understand that diet may play a major role in determining bile acid levels in individuals. In turn, bile acid levels may promote several forms of cancer including OA. 

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Acid suppression is probably responsible for deconjugation of bile acids in the upper GI tract and hence oesophageal exposure to free bile acids. 

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