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. These proceedings of an International Falk Workshop held in Munich, January 1995, provide insights into 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.