In addition to their classical roles as detergents to aid in the process of digestion, bile acids
have been identified as important signaling molecules that function through various nuclear
and G protein-coupled receptors to regulate a myriad of cellular and molecular functions
across both metabolic and nonmetabolic pathways. Signaling via these pathways will vary
depending on the tissue and the concentration and chemical structure of the bile acid
species. Important determinants of the size and composition of the bile acid pool are their …