Bile Salts And Gallstones: Role, Function, And Prevention

Bile Salts And Gallstones: Role, Function, And Prevention

Question 1. Functions of bile:
Answer:

Functions of bile:

1. Functions of bile salts of bile.
   • Help in digestion and absorption of fat
   • Help in absorption of fat soluble vitamins
   • Act as laxatives
   • Prevent gall stone formation.
   • Have cholerectic and cholagague action.
2. Neutralizes the acid of chyme.
3. Excretes substances like bile pigments, drugs toxins, etc.
4. Inhibits the growth of bacteria.
5. Mucin in bile lubricates the chyme.

Question 2. Bile salts.
Answer:

• Bile salts are formed by combining bile acids with sodium or potassium ion.

Functions:

• Emulsification of fats
• Absorption of fats
• Choleretic and cholagogue action
• Act as laxative
• Prevent gallstone formation.

Fate:

• Out of the total bile salts which enter the duodenum, 90-95% are reabsorbed actively from the terminal ileum in the portal vein and return to the liver, to be excreted again.
• This is called entero-hepatic circulation.
• Remaining 5-10% enter the colon and is excreted in stools.