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Semin Liver Dis 1996; 16(2): 191-200
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1007231
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1996 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Hepatocellular Transport and Secretion of Biliary Phospholipids

David E. Cohen
  • Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Digestive Diseases Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Recent progress has begun to elucidate molecular and cellular mechanisms whereby bile salts stimulate hepatocellular selection, transport, and biliary secretion of phospholipids, which are enriched (up to 95%) in phosphatidylcholines. This article first summarizes classical observations concerning the molecular structures of biliary phospholipids, as well as the role of bile salts in promoting their secretion into bile. New data are then reviewed and synthesized into a working model for biliary phospholipid secretion. An important feature is that this model is selective for biliary phospholipids and necessitates a largely independent pathway for cholesterol secretion into bile.

KEY WORDS

liver - phosphatidylcholine - bile salt - cholesterol