In recent years, our knowledge about the pathogenesis, pathophysiology and treatment of hepatobiliary diseases has increased considerably. The molecular basis of cholestatic disorders as well as of gallstone disease is increasingly recognized. This has resulted in improved diagnosis, for instance in hereditary forms of intrahepatic cholestasis, and advances in treatment, for example in primary biliary cirrhosis and other chronic cholestatic disorders. This book, the proceedings of a Falk Workshop held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on June 9-10, 2000, brings together contributions from scientists and clinicians to highlight the most recent advances in molecular biology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy of diseases of the hepatobiliary system. World experts cover a broad spectrum of topics from genetic studies to endoscopy and from medical treatment to liver transplantation.

Beginning in 1970, the International Bile Acid Meeting has taken place every two years and each time new progress in our understanding of the complex role of bile acids in many metabolic processes of the liver and the intestine has been revealed by a selected group of leading scientists from all over the world. Although originally mainly physiological data on bile acid synthesis and transport were emphasized, and later on also the therapeutic benefit of bile acids in gallstone disease and cholestasis was discovered, we have come now to the molecular biology and genetic era with major discoveries in transport defects and related diseases. This book is the proceedings of Falk Symposium No. 120, held in The Hague, The Netherlands, on October 12-13, 2000 - the 16th International Bile Acid Meeting. One of the main discoveries recently has been the identification of nuclear receptors for bile acids, which gives them a much broader perspective than previously anticipated. It even suggests that bile acids can regulate their biosynthesis and enterohepatic circulation transcriptionally. It will therefore not be surprising that this topic, together with the molecular regulation of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase and cholesterol homeostasis, has a dominant place in these proceedings. Another important topic is the progress in our molecular understanding of hepatic (both at the basolateral and canalicular sites), cholangiocytic and intestinal bile acid transport processes. Further insights into genetic defects causing cholestasis or intestinal malabsorption in animal models and in human diseases are also discussed by a number of well-known authors. Finally the last section deals with new findings on the role of bile acid therapy in cholestatic syndromes or chemoprevention and with the potential benefit of bile acid inhibitors. All contributors provide an update on the most recent developments in their field.

This book contains the proceedings of the XIIIth International Bile Acid Meeting (Falk Symposium 80), an official satellite meeting of the World Congress of Gastroenterology, held in San Diego, California, U.S.A., September 30--October 2, 1994. It begins with presentations of major advances in bile acid chemistry, biology and pharmacology. The new structure proposed for the mixed micelles present in bile is reviewed, as are the properties of new synthetic analogues of bile acids. The mechanisms by which bile acids interact with cell membranes are discussed in order to provide insight into the hepatotoxic effects of bile acids in cholestatic liver disease. The book further shows the exciting progress in the molecular biology of bile acid transport by the hepatocyte and enterocyte, and concludes with a consensus on the use of ursodeoxycholic acid in cholestatic liver disease and as an adjunct to immunosuppressive therapy after liver transplantation, and to interferon therapy in chronic viral hepatitis.

In recent years, knowledge about the cell biology of the cholangiocytes and the function of the bile ducts has increased considerably. Their role in liver diseases is increasingly recognized. As a consequence, important progress has been made not only in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology but also in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary liver diseases. This book, the proceedings of the Falk Symposium 107 on Diseases of the Liver and the Bile Ducts - New Aspects and Clinical Implications', held in Prague, Czech Republic, on April 30-May 2, 1998, brings together scientists and clinicians to highlight the most recent advances in molecular biology, physiology, diagnosis and therapy of diseases of the biliary system. World experts cover a broad spectrum of topics from genetic tests to endoscopy and from medical treatment to liver transplantation.

Bile acid research has attracted increasing attention from both basic scientists and clinical hepatologists over the last decade. Experimental studies have expanded our knowledge of the role of bile acids in liver disease, and well-designed clinical trials have documented beneficial effects of bile acid treatment for a number of hepatobiliary diseases. Bile Acids in Liver Diseases, the proceedings of an International Falk Workshop held in Munich, January 1995, provides insights into current concepts in bile acid chemistry, bile acid synthesis and metabolism, and transport of bile acids across the hepatocyte. The role of bile acids in bile formation, cholestasis and hepatotoxicity are discussed. Finally, the book addresses experimental studies and hypotheses about the putative mechanisms of action of ursodeoxycholic acid in cholestatic liver diseases, and summarizes the clinical applications of bile acid treatment on the basis of controlled clinical trials.

In 1992, the Falk Symposium No. 70 dealt with the topic Immunology and Liver'. At that time basic mechanisms of immunology as well as immunopathogenetic mechanisms in viral and autoimmune liver diseases were discussed. Now, 7 years later, the Falk Symposium No. 114, held in Basel, Switzerland, October 20-21 1999 (Part I of the Basel Liver Week 1999), focused on immunology in autoimmune liver diseases. In the first section basic mechanisms of autoimmunity are presented, including the relevance of superantigens and the role of apoptosis. A further topic is the latest developments concerning animal models for autoimmune diseases. Recently the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group newly defined and reclassified the syndrome of autoimmune hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis is now identified and studied in all parts of the world, including Asia and South America. A special variant of autoimmune hepatitis was identified as one organ manifestation of the autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, a genetic disease caused by mutations in a single transcription factor. Drug- and hepatitis-virus induced immune mediated liver diseases may serve as models for nonhepatic immune mediated disorders. DNA technology has increased our knowledge of the immunogenetic background of autoimmune liver diseases. Among the cholestatic immune mediated liver diseases, significant progress has been made concerning primary biliary cirrhosis, in particular regarding the identification of mitochondrial antigens and the characterisation of the immune reactions directed at them. The involvement of infectious agents in PBC as well as the definition of overlap syndromes is a particular focus for basic and clinical research in this area. Concerning the therapy of autoimmune liver diseases, corticosteroids and azathioprin remain the state of the art for autoimmune hepatitis, while bile acids have become well established in treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis as well as primary sclerosing cholangitis. New drugs in the future will include topical steroids such as budesonide and new immunosuppressive agents like mofetil/mycophenolate. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for end stage liver diseases; all autoimmune liver diseases are among the best candidates for liver transplantation. Hopefully, new therapeutic strategies based on the results obtained from experimental models will become everyday clinical practice in the next decade. Therefore this symposium concludes with a discussion.

Since the last International Bile Acid Meeting in Stockholm in 2004, 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 of 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. Chapters reflect the recent progress in bile acid metabolism and transport, nuclear receptor regulation and signaling by bile acids, as well as mechanisms of bile acid-induced cellular injury...

In 1992, the Falk Symposium No. 70 dealt with the topic `Immunology and Liver'. At that time basic mechanisms of immunology as well as immunopathogenetic mechanisms in viral and autoimmune liver diseases were discussed. Now, 7 years later, the Falk Symposium No. 114, held in Basel, Switzerland, October 20-21 1999 (Part I of the Basel Liver Week 1999), focused on immunology in autoimmune liver diseases. In the first section basic mechanisms of autoimmunity are presented, including the relevance of superantigens and the role of apoptosis. A further topic is the latest developments concerning animal models for autoimmune diseases. Recently the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group newly defined and reclassified the syndrome of autoimmune hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis is now identified and studied in all parts of the world, including Asia and South America. A special variant of autoimmune hepatitis was identified as one organ manifestation of the autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, a genetic disease caused by mutations in a single transcription factor. Drug- and hepatitis-virus induced immune mediated liver diseases may serve as models for nonhepatic immune mediated disorders. DNA technology has increased our knowledge of the immunogenetic background of autoimmune liver diseases. Among the cholestatic immune mediated liver diseases, significant progress has been made concerning primary biliary cirrhosis, in particular regarding the identification of mitochondrial antigens and the characterisation of the immune reactions directed at them. The involvement of infectious agents in PBC as well as the definition of overlap syndromes is a particular focus for basic and clinical research in this area. Concerning the therapy of autoimmune liver diseases, corticosteroids and azathioprin remain the state of the art for autoimmune hepatitis, while bile acids have become well established in treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis as well as primary sclerosing cholangitis. New drugs in the future will include topical steroids such as budesonide and new immunosuppressive agents like mofetil/mycophenolate. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for end stage liver diseases; all autoimmune liver diseases are among the best candidates for liver transplantation. Hopefully, new therapeutic strategies based on the results obtained from experimental models will become everyday clinical practice in the next decade. Therefore this symposium concludes with a discussion.

Die gro~en Fortschritte in der Hepatitisforschung, die zur Entdeckung und Charakterisierung von 5 unterschiedlichen Virushepatitiden f}hrte, erbrachteneue Erkenntnisse f}r die Epidemiologie, Infektiosit{t und zur Pathogenese. Es gelang die Entwicklung eines wirksamen und sicheren Impfstoffs gegen die Virus-B-Hepatitis. Dagegen ist die Therapie der akuten Virushepatitis und chronischen Virus-B, -C- und -D-Hepatitis noch unbefriedigend. Mit der Einf}hrung von Interferon alfa in die Behandlung der chronischen Virushepatitiden haben sich neue therapeutische Ans{tze ergeben, obwohl erst ungef{hr 30-40% der Patienten davon profitieren. Eine Anzahl von sorgf{ltig durchgef}hrten kontrollierten Therapiestudien im In- und Ausland haben inzwischen zu }bereinstimmenden Therapieempfehlungen gef}hrt, die in diesem Buch wiedergegeben werden. In diesem Buch werden die Epidemiologie, Pathogenese, Klinik und therapie sowie die Prognose der chronischen Virushepatitiden einschlie~lich der Nebenwirkung ausf}hrlich beschrieben. Es wendet sich daher an alle [rzte, die gegenw{rtig oder in Zukunft Patienten mit chronischer Virushepatitisbehandeln.

This book is the proceedings of the 18th International Bile Acid Meeting, held as the Falk Symposium 141 in Stockholm, Sweden, on June 18-19, 2004. The International Bile Acid Meetings have become some of the most important meetings in the bile acid field worldwide since Herbert Falk decided to sponsor these Symposia in biannual sequence in 1970. The 17 International Bile Acid Meetings in the past have been a great stimulus for new ideas and methods as well as the development of therapeutic applications of bile acids. They have always been a forum where basic scientists and clinicians interact. Many novel results of bile acid research were first presented at these meetings. The meeting in Stockholm again attracted a large number of basic and clinical scientists interested in bile acid and biliary research from all over the world. Knowledge about the regulation of bile acid synthesis, bile acid transport and enterohepatic circulation in health and in disease has increased considerably during recent years. Accordingly, bile acid research is alive as ever. A new chapter of bile acid research was opened by the finding that bile acids are ligands of nuclear receptors which regulate synthesis, metabolism and transport of bile acids and steroids. A large part of the book is devoted to these topics. The 18th International Bile Acid Meeting was again a truly interdisciplinary symposium at the highest scientific level. Its participants enjoyed hearing the latest reports on bile acid research in the city where so many seminal studies on bile acids were performed. It is hoped that the readers of this book will share the enjoyment.