Degradation of bile salts by human intestinal bacteria.

We have previously reported that many strains of enterococci and the strictly anaerobic bacteria of the intestine (Bacteroides, Bifidobacteria, Clostridia, and Veillonella) hydrolyse bile acid conjugates (Drasar, Hill, and Shiner, 1966; Hill and Drasar, 1968). More detailed studies on the deconjugating enzyme, cholanylglycine hydrolase, obtained from Bacteroides spp, Bifidobacterium spp, Clostridium spp, and Strep. faecalis (two strains of each) are reported elsewhere (Aries and Hill, 1969). Here we report our studies on the metabolism of cholate and deoxycholate, and further studies on deconjugation.