Gallensäureweg

The Gallensäureweg, also known as the Bile Acid Pathway, is a metabolic process that involves the synthesis, secretion, and reabsorption of bile acids in the body. Bile acids are essential for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. The pathway begins in the liver, where cholesterol is converted into cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid through a series of enzymatic reactions. These primary bile acids are then conjugated with glycine or taurine to form the more water-soluble taurocholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid, which are secreted into the small intestine via the bile ducts.

In the small intestine, bile acids facilitate the emulsification of dietary fats, allowing for their efficient digestion and absorption. After being used for fat digestion, bile acids are reabsorbed from the intestinal lumen and returned to the liver via the portal vein. In the liver, bile acids undergo deconjugation and re-synthesis, where they are reconverted into cholesterol or recycled back into primary bile acids. This recycling process is crucial for maintaining the body's bile acid pool and ensuring the continuous function of the Gallensäureweg.

The Gallensäureweg is tightly regulated by various hormones and feedback mechanisms, including the cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin hormones, which stimulate bile acid secretion and inhibit cholesterol synthesis, respectively. Dysregulation of the Gallensäureweg can lead to various metabolic disorders, such as cholestasis, bile acid malabsorption, and primary bile acid synthesis defects. Understanding the Gallensäureweg is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.