Inhibition of ileal bile acid absorption by colestimide

Background: Colestimide is a new type of anion‐exchange resin in Japan, but its effect on bile acid absorption in the ileum has not been studied. Methods: Absorption of ursodeoxycholate, tauroursodeoxycholate, cholate, taurocholate and taurolithocholate‐sulfate in rat ileum was compared in the presence and absence of colestimide. Bile acid adsorption by colestimide in vitro was also studied. Results: All bile acids were efficiently absorbed by the ileum, and the cumulative absorption during 60 min was 25–78%. The absorption of ursodeoxycholate, tauroursodeoxycholate and taurocholate was inhibited by colestimide, whereas that of cholate and taurolithocholate‐sulfate was not inhibited by colestimide. Adsorption of bile acids by colestimide in vitro was higher with taurine conjugates than with the unconjugated forms. Conclusions: Colestimide was shown to be useful to inhibit the physiologically important ileal absorption of bile acid amides in vivo . © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd