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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 28, 2026; 32(12): 116258
Published online Mar 28, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i12.116258
Published online Mar 28, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i12.116258
Reconsidering early-life bile acid amidation defect in environmental enteric dysfunction
Yu-Han Yang, Yuan Li, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Yang YH and Li Y contributed to conceptualization, writing - original draft preparation; writing - review and editing; Yang YH contributed to study design. All authors read and approved the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Yuan Li, MD, Professor, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17 People’s South Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. l13258389785@126.com
Received: November 6, 2025
Revised: December 11, 2025
Accepted: January 13, 2026
Published online: March 28, 2026
Processing time: 133 Days and 9 Hours
Revised: December 11, 2025
Accepted: January 13, 2026
Published online: March 28, 2026
Processing time: 133 Days and 9 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This study identifies a previously unrecognized defect in bile acid conjugation among Bangladeshi infants with environmental enteric dysfunction, linking altered bile acid metabolism to poor growth and intestinal inflammation. Elevated unconjugated primary bile acids were strongly associated with anthropometry. Further, the findings highlight a possible age-related delay in the maturation of bile acid conjugation pathways in impoverished children. This study may provide the initial insights for exploring novel therapeutic targets through bile acid pathways for treating malnourished children worldwide.