Cholestatic syndromes

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.