Group separation of non-sulphated and 3-sulphated bile acids by disposable anion-exchange cartridges

Summary A rapid and simple method has been developed for the group fractionation of the major unsulphated and mono-sulphated bile acids in human body fluids. After extraction with Bond Elut C₁₈ cartridges, the bile acids are separated into the unconjugated, glycine-, taurine- and sulphate-conjugated forms on pre-packed Bond Elut SAX columns by increasing the ionic strength of the methanol-acetate buffer eluent. The procedure was found to be accurate and reproducible and to give complete resolution between the different groups. The levels of 3-sulphate bile acids in human serum and urine from patients with liver disease were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, after group separation and solvolysis of the sulphate fraction.