A Recent Ten-Year Perspective: Bile Acid Metabolism and Signaling.

Bile acids are important physiological agents required for the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of nutrients. In addition, bile acids act as sensors of intestinal contents, which are determined by the change in the spectrum of bile acids during microbial transformation, as well as by gradual intestinal absorption. Entering the liver through the portal vein, bile acids regulate the activity of nuclear receptors, modify metabolic processes and the rate of formation of new bile acids from cholesterol, and also, in all likelihood, can significantly affect the detoxification of xenobiotics.

Determinants of autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Objectives: To determine demographic or disease-related factors that may influence the severity of autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).

Methods: 532 patients with IPD aged between 55 and 75 years were included. Severity of autonomic dysfunction was assessed using a 9-item autonomic dysfunction score (ADS).