Enterohepatic circulation
THE CIRCULATION OF SUBSTANCES FROM THE LIVER TO THE BILE, TO THE INTESTINE, AND BACK TO THE LIVER
Enterohepatic; Hepatic circulation; Enterohepatic recycling; Hepatic recycling; Enterohepatic cycle; Enterohepatic recirculation; Enterohepatic metabolism; Enterohepatic reabsorption
Enterohepatic circulation refers to the circulation of biliary acids, bilirubin, drugs or other substances from the liver to the bile, followed by entry into the small intestine, absorption by the enterocyte and transport back to the liver. Enterohepatic circulation is an especially important concept in the field of toxicology as many lipophilic xenobiotics undergo this process causing repeated liver damage.