The enterohepatic circulation of conjugated bile acids in healthy man: quantitative description and functions.

A multicompartmental model describing the enterohepatic circulation of conjugated bile acids in man under steady-state conditions is proposed. The model encompasses conjugation; deconjugation and reconjugation; dehydroxylation; sulfation, desulfation and resulfation; dehydrogenation; and stereoselective rehydrogenation. A dynamic description of the enterohepatic circulation and a brief description of bile acid functions in health and dysfunctions in disease are also discussed.