Postprandial human bile acids: A gut feeling

This dissertation encompasses different translational observational- and intervention studies in which we investigated the postprandial bile acid response, using mixed meal tests in healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In part 1, we reviewed the physiology of the postprandial (inflammatory) response and the anti-inflammatory effects of bile acids. Part 2 contains three observational studies where we focused on the postprandial bile acid responses under different “physiological” conditions including day-to-day variability, fasting and intravenous meal infusion. In part 3, we aimed to improve metabolic health via the modulation of postprandial bile acid responses with different interventions. Finally, in part 4, we discussed some topics which are relevant for translational bile acid research and its clinical impact.