PROTEIN-BOUND AND UNBOUND BILE-ACIDS IN SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

We measured protein-bound and unbound bile acid concentrations in the serum of patients with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis by a size exclusion chromatography. An average of similar to 80% of serum b ile acids was distributed in the protein-bound fraction in patients wi th cirrhosis. The protein-unbound/bound bile acid ratio in the serum c losely correlated with the cholic acid/chenodeoxycholic acid ratio whi ch decreases in liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, the protein-unbound/boun d bile acid ratio correlated inversely with total bilirubin concentrat ion and Child-Pugh score. The results suggest that the protein-unbound /bound bile acid ratio reflects the approximate profile of serum bile acids, and decreases with the advance of cirrhosis of the liver. (C) 1 998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.