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Enterohepatic Recirculation

Meaning

Enterohepatic recirculation is a physiological process where certain substances, including hormones and their metabolites, are secreted by the liver into the bile, released into the small intestine, and subsequently reabsorbed back into the portal blood circulation. This cyclical pathway significantly prolongs the biological half-life and systemic exposure of these compounds. Understanding this process is clinically relevant for optimizing hormone dosing and interpreting metabolism, as it dictates how long a substance remains active in the body.