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Influence of age, intestinal transit time, and dietary composition on fecal bile acid profiles in healthy subjects

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Abstract

Bacterial transformation of bile acids is possibly involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. In several epidemiological studies, the secondary bile acid concentration in feces is related to the incidence of colonic cancer. However, data on fecal bile acids in case-control studies are conflicting. We investigated the influence of age, intestinal transit time, and dietary composition on fecal bile acid profiles in healthy subjects of three different age groups (mean ages 22, 48, and 67 years). Fecal bile acids were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. The concentration of the major secondary fecal bile acids increased with advancing age and was significantly higher in elderly subjects, compared to young adults. The concentration in middle-aged persons was intermediate. Analysis of dietary constituents showed that the fat intake in the three groups was comparable. The dietary fiber intake in elderly subjects was significantly lower than in the other two groups. The former group did excrete less dry fecal material compared to both other groups. Dietary fiber intake was negatively correlated with the total bile acid concentration. Probably, a decrease in dietary fiber intake results in higher fecal bile acid concentrations with advancing age. From the findings of this study, it is obvious that matching for age is important when case-control studies concerning the role of fecal bile acids in colorectal carcinogenesis are conducted.

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Author notes

  1. S. D. J. Van Der Werf MD, PhD

    Present address: Department of Internal Medicine, Westeinde Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Internal Medicine and Nuclear Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, St. Radboud Hospital, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    F. M. Nagengast MD,  S. D. J. Van Der Werf MD, PhD, H. L. M. Lamers, M. P. C. Hectors, W. C. A. M. Buys PhD & J. M. H. Van Tongeren MD, PhD

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  1. F. M. Nagengast MD
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  2. S. D. J. Van Der Werf MD, PhD
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  3. H. L. M. Lamers
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  5. W. C. A. M. Buys PhD
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  6. J. M. H. Van Tongeren MD, PhD
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Nagengast, F.M., Van Der Werf, S.D.J., Lamers, H.L.M. et al. Influence of age, intestinal transit time, and dietary composition on fecal bile acid profiles in healthy subjects. Digest Dis Sci 33, 673–678 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01540429

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01540429

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