Bile acids are the end product of cholesterol metabolism,which is the main component of bile.Bile acids can not only promote the absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins but also be used as the important signal molecules to activate nuclear receptors.It regulates metabolism of bile acids and intestinal homeostasis.The bile acids' effect on intestinal mucosal barrier function has been controversial until now.Bile acids is both hydrophilic and hydrophobic simultaneously.Hydrophilic bile acid can promote cell proliferation,while hydrophobic bile acid can promote cell apoptosis.The stronger the hydrophobicity is,the greater the cellular damage effect will be.The activation of nuclear receptor by bile acids can protect intestinal mucosal barrier.New research progress of the bile acid regulation in intestinal mucosal barrier function is reviewed in this article.

Objective:To investigate the expression of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) in intestinal mucosa with bile deficiency and the effect of bile on the expression of IAP in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell model.Methods:Thirty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (Ctrl, n=10), external drainage group (ED, n=10) and obstructive jaundice group (OJ, n=10). Ileum specimens were collected on the 7th day after modeling. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to determine the expression of IAP in rat intestinal mucosa. Different concentrations of human bile were used to treat on Caco-2 cells, and Western blot was used to detect the changes in IAP expression in Caco-2 cells. Results:Rat models were successfully established. The expression level of IAP in the intestinal mucosa of ED group [(9.19±1.67)%] was significantly lower than that of the Ctrl group [(15.09±0.61)%, P<0.05]; the expression of IAP in the intestinal mucosa of OJ group [(6.86±1.07)%] was significantly lower than that of the Ctrl group ( P<0.05). Through in vitro cell experiments, expression of IAP in Caco-2 cells was increased in a time and dose-dependent manner when treated with human bile. Conclusions:Bile deficiency in the intestine can cause inhibition of IAP in the intestinal mucosa. Bile can promote the expression of IAP in intestinal mucosal epithelial cells.

Objective To investigate the types of common chronic diseases and common drugs in the elderly visiting primary medical institutions in China.Methods Cluster sampling was adopted in eight provinces/cities/autonomous region of Zhejiang,Jilin,Henan,Shanghai,Chongqing,Gansu,Guangxi and Jiangsu.Sampling sites were selected and information was collected through the online reporting system of common diseases and drug costs of the elderly in primary hospitals at all levels in China.On these grounds,the basic situation of primary medical institutions,the common chronic diseases and common drugs for people aged 65 years and above were investigated.Results Primary hypertension(65.7％ or 46/70)and arthropathy(10.0％ or 7/70)were the most common chronic diseases in the elderly visiting primary medical institutions.The consultation rate of primary hypertension was highest both in rural areas(58.3％,i.e.the ratio of 21 over 36 primary medical institutions)and in urban areas(73.5％,i.e.the ratio of 25 over 34 primary medical institutions).The primary medical institutions with consultation rates of hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia (x2 =5.137,P=0.023),diabetes(x2 =3.868,P =0.049)and dyspepsia(Fisher's exact test,P =0.026)as the top 3 chronic diseases were more often seen in urban areas than in rural areas,while the primary medical institutions with consultation rates of cerebrovascular diseases as the top 3 chronic diseases were more often seen in the rural areas than in urban areas(x2=9.974,P =0.002).More primary medical institutions with consultation rates of benign prostatic hyperplasia and primary osteoporosis as the top 10 chronic diseases were found in urban areas than in rural areas(x2 =4.054 and 3.861,P =0.044 and 0.049,respectively),while more primary medical institutions with consultation rates of heart failure as the top 10 chronic diseases were found in rural areas than in urban areas(x2 =3.865,P =0.049).Aspirin,nifedipine and simvastatin one by one were most commonly used in people aged 65 years and over in primary medical institutions.Conclusions Primary hypertension is the most common chronic disease among the elderly visiting primary medical institutions in both rural and urban.Common chronic diseases in primary medical institutions are different between the urban and rural areas.Regional differences and urban-rural differences should be taken into account in drug preparation.There are some irregularities in the use of drugs and insufficient stocks of essential drugs in basic-level medical institutions.