On the Concentration of Bile Acids in the Human Intestine during Absorption. Bile Acids and Steroids 74.

The concentrations of glycine and taurine conjugates of cholic, chenodeoxycholic and deoxycholic acids have been determined in the intestinal contents of seven normal and one cholecystectomized subject during the absorption of a fluid test meal. Within 30 minutes after the meal the emptying of the gall‐bladder caused a rise in total bile acid concentration to 13–46 meq/l, thereafter the concentration rapidly decreased, being between 2.5 and 10 meq/l during the main part of the period of digestion and absorption. Variations in the proportions of the bile acids were observed during this period but were usually small. The bile acid composition in the distal part of the small intestine seemed to be similar to that in the proximal part and the emptying of the gall‐bladder caused no changes in bile acid concentration in the former part.