Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of infant mortality. This study investigated the link between bile acids and PTB. A cohort study of 36,755 pregnant women showed a direct correlation between serum total bile acid (sTBA) levels and PTB rates. Mouse models with liver injuries and dysregulated bile acids reproduced PTB. Bile acids dose-dependently induced PTB, and restoring bile acid homeostasis reduced PTB and improved newborn survival. These findings establish a causal link between bile acids and PTB, suggesting new therapeutic avenues.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Apr 30, 2020
Authors
Sangmin You, Ai-Min Cui, Syed F. Hashmi, Xinmu Zhang, Christina Nadolny, Yuan Chen, Qiwen Chen, Xin Bush, Zachary Hurd, Winifer Ali, Gang Qin, Ruitang Deng
Tags
preterm birth
bile acids
infant mortality
serum total bile acid
newborn survival
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