Copyright
©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2008; 14(37): 5617-5619
Published online Oct 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.5617
Published online Oct 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.5617
How we have learned about the complexity of physiology, pathobiology and pharmacology of bile acids and biliary secretion
Jose JG Marin, Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting, CIBERehd, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain
Author contributions: Marin JJG is the sole contributor to this paper.
Correspondence to: Jose JG Marin, Professor, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Campus Miguel de Unamuno E.I.D. S-09, Salamanca 37007, Spain. jjgmarin@usal.es
Telephone: +34-923-294674 Fax: +34-923-294669
Received: July 24, 2008
Revised: September 16, 2008
Accepted: September 23, 2008
Published online: October 7, 2008
Revised: September 16, 2008
Accepted: September 23, 2008
Published online: October 7, 2008
Abstract
During the last decades the concept of bile secretion as merely a way to add detergent components to the intestinal mixture to facilitate fat digestion/absorption and to eliminate side products of heme metabolism has evolved considerably. In the series of mini-reviews that the World Journal of Gastroenterology is to publish in its section of “Highlight Topics”, we will intend to give a brief but updated overview of our knowledge in this field. This introductory letter is intended to thank all scientists who have contributed to the development of this area of knowledge in gastroenterology.
Keywords: Bile flow; Cholestasis; Hepatocyte; Liver; Transport