This book is the proceedings of the XX International Bile Acid Meeting, Falk Symposium 165 entitled 'Bile Acid Biology and Therapeutic Actions', held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 13--14, 2008, and dedicated to both basic and clinical aspects of bile acid research with a focus on the role of bile acids in hepatobiliary diseases. The latest findings are presented by leading scientists and clinicians in the field.
Since the last International Bile Acid Meeting in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, in 2006, bile acid research has continued to flourish and therapeutic use of bile acids has attained a broader role. New insights have been gained into the mechanisms responsible for maintenance of bile acid homeostasis, and effects of bile acids on the cell signalling pathways have been further elucidated. Knowledge about the genetic basis of bile acid physiology has further increased. Therapy of chronic cholestatic liver diseases with ursodeoxycholic acid and new aspects of its chemopreventive properties continue to stimulate basic and clinical research and contribute to the understanding of underlying modes of action and to optimized treatment schedules.