Abstract

An essential function of the liver is the formation and secretion of bile, a complex aqueous solution of organic and inorganic compounds essential as route for the elimination of body cholesterol as unesterified cholesterol or as bile acids. In bile, a considerable amount of otherwise insoluble cholesterol is solubilized by carriers including two other classes of lipids, namely phospholipid and bile acids. Formation of bile and generation of bile flow are driven by the active secretion of bile acids, lipids and electrolytes into the canalicular and bile duct lumens followed by the parallel movement of water. Thus, water has to cross rapidly into and out of the cell interior driven by osmotic forces. Bile as a fluid, results from complicated interplay of hepatocyte and cholangiocyte uptake and secretion, concentration, by involving a number of transporters of lipids, anions, cations, and water. The discovery of the aquaporin water channels, has clarified the mechanisms by which water, the major component of bile (more than 95%), moves across the hepatobiliary epithelia. This review is focusing on novel acquisitions in liver membrane lipidic and water transport and functional participation of aquaporin water channels in multiple aspects of hepatobiliary fluid balance. Involvement of aquaporins in a series of clinically relevant hepatobiliary disorders are also discussed.

Autore Pugliese

• Calamita Giuseppe , Portincasa Piero

Tutti gli autori

• CALAMITA G.;PORTINCASA P.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2012

ISSN

0098-2997

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

31

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile