Bile Acid Sequestration (Intestinal)

Bile acid sequestration in the intestine is the process of binding bile acids within the gastrointestinal tract to prevent their reabsorption and promote their fecal excretion. This is the mechanism of action of bile acid sequestrants, which are used to lower LDL cholesterol levels and treat bile acid malabsorption. The process disrupts enterohepatic circulation, prompting increased hepatic bile acid synthesis from cholesterol, resulting in reduced serum cholesterol.

Other names

Bile acid bindingIntestinal bile acid adsorptionBile acid sequestrant mechanism

Bile acid sequestrants bind to bile acids in the intestinal lumen, preventing their reabsorption and promoting their excretion in feces. This leads to increased hepatic synthesis of bile acids from cholesterol, ultimately lowering serum LDL cholesterol levels.