[Value of serum levels of conjugated cholic acid in the diagnosis of liver disease (author's transl)].

Serum concentrations of conjugated cholic acid determined radioimmunologically were investigated for 3 hours after a test meal in 62 patients with fatty liver, 70 patients with chronic hepatitis and 30 patients with liver cirrhosis. Values were compared with results of further data from chemical pathology. Increased fasting bile acid values were found in 18% of patients with fatty liver, 13% with chronic hepatitis and in 70% with cirrhosis. Following the test meal maximum concentration increase of cholic acid conjugates was obtained after one hour. 70.5% of patients with fatty liver, 80% of patients with chronic hepatitis and 97% of patients with cirrhosis were identifiable by increased bile acid levels. Postprandial serum bile acid levels therefore have a higher sensitivity for diagnosis of liver disease than bilirubin, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase or gamma-glutamyl transferase.