Bile acids - conjugated and unconjugated forms
This assay covers primary and secondary bile acids, both in their conjugated and unconjugated forms; the assay covers the 24 most common and abundant bile acids in humans.
About bile acids
Bile acids are critical to the digestion and absorption of fats and play a significant role in metabolic regulation, immune function, and maintaining gut microbiota balance. Primary bile acids are synthesized in the liver and secreted into the intestine, aiding fat digestion and serving as signaling molecules. Bile acids exert antimicrobial effects in the gut, shaping the composition of the gut microbiota. Additionally, the gut microbiota modify the bile acids, producing secondary bile acids. These secondary bile acids have distinct biological properties compared to their primary counterparts.
Disturbances in bile acid metabolism can contribute to various diseases. Altered bile acid signaling is implicated in metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Additionally, bile acids can be involved in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal cancers and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Moreover, bile acids are essential for signaling the gut-brain axis of importance in several neurological diseases.
Targeted analysis of bile acids
The method utilizes High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) to analyze 24 bile acids in negative ionization. The bile acids are quantified using one-point calibration based on deuterated internal standards. Simultaneously, features are relatively quantified at high resolution (70,000 FWHM) in negative ionization.
Platform strengths
Incorporating deuterated standards allows for accurate, absolute concentration determination of 24 bile acids. Simultaneous collection of untargeted data enables exploratory studies of other bile acids or similar compound classes not included in the targeted panel.