High serum bile acid level in obesity: its decrease during and after total fasting.

Elevated serum bile acid levels were observed in overweight subjects as compared to those with an ideal weight. Fasting for 14 days resulted in a gradual decrease to the normal level of serum cholic, chenodeoxycholic and deoxycholic acid concentrations. There was no change in the serum bile acid level during a two days refeeding period. The findings suggest that, in addition to the beneficial weight reduction, normalization of bile acid homeostasis can be achieved by fasting in obesity.