AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 238, Issue 5 429-G433, Copyright © 1980 by American Physiological Society
Development of enzymatic conjugation and sulfation of bile acids in hamster liver
J. T. Jordan and P. G. Killenberg
In vitro levels of enzyme activity were measured in liver from fetal and
developing hamsters to study the fetal immaturity and postnatal development
of bile acid conjugation and sulfation. Sulfation and conjugation were
measured in the same animals. Partial reactions of bile acid conjugation
were assayed independently; sulfation of conjugated and unconjugated
lithocholate was measured separately. From 3 days before to 3 days after
birth, specific activity for sulfation of lithocholate and lithocholate
conjugates was similar; lithocholate sulfation was 80% of adult levels. In
older hamsters, specific activity for sulfation of lithocholate conjugates
was significantly higher than that for lithocholate. Specific activities of
both partial reactions of bile acid conjugation were 12% of adult levels
from 3 days before to 3 days after birth. Thereafter both activities
increased together; the ratio of glycine to taurine-dependent conjugation
was similar at all ages. The data suggest early development of a separate
mechanism for lithocholate sulfation. Enzymes catalyzing bile acid
conjugation and sulfation of bile acid conjugates exhibit maximal
development after birth.
