Abstract
The levels of urinary total sulfated bile acids (U-TSBA) in 12 social alcohol drinkers and 20 heavy drinkers with liver diseases were investigated. In comparison with the reference value, no significant elevation of U-TSBA was found in either group regardless of the severity of alcoholic liver injury. Two of the three heavy drinkers with abnormal values of UTSBA were positive for hepatitis C virus antibody and showed corresponding histological changes compatible with viral hepatitis. The results show that alcoholic liver injury per se may have minimal effects, if any, on urinary sulfated bile acid excretion, while other hepatobiliary diseases including viral hepatitis result in significant increases.
