New insights into the regulation of hepatobiliary transport proteins have p
rovided the basis for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of cholest
atic liver diseases. Mutations of transporter genes can cause hereditary ch
olestatic syndromes, the study of which has shed much light on the basic me
chanisms of bile secretion and cholestasis. Important new studies have been
published about the pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of prim
ary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, cholestasis of pregn
ancy, total parenteral nutrition-induced cholestasis, and drug-induced chol
estasis, Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2001, 17:242-256 (C) 2001 Lippincott Willi
ams & Wilkins, Inc.