PLASMA DEOXYCHOLIC-ACID IS RELATED TO DEOXYCHOLIC-ACID IN FECAL WATER

Bile acids are considered as a risk factor for colorectal carcinogenes is. They were analysed in samples of faecal water and plasma of fastin g heparine blood from 23 urorithiasis patients. Linear regression show ed that the highest percentage of variance (52%) was explained by the model: plasma deoxycholic acid (mu mol/l) = - 3.11 + 0.96(+/- 0.25) ( 10)log deoxycholic acid in faecal water (mu mol/l) + 0.35(+/- 0.15) p H of faecal water - 0.41(+/- 0.19) defacation frequency (number of st ools/day); P < 0.05, *P = 0.055. In future studies, analysing blood l evels of unconjugated deoxycholic acid may substitute faecal measureme nts. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.