Fig. 2. Comparison of circulating bile acids (BA) concentrations, relative to baseline value at week 0, after 6 and 18 weeks between obese (ob) and overweight (ow) subjects in the 4 diet groups.

: a Control at 6 weeks (ow/ob: n = 10/10). b Control at 18 weeks (ow/ob: n = 10/10). c High cereal fiber (HCF) at 6 weeks (ow/ob: n = 5/10). d HCF at 18 weeks (ow/ob: n = 5/10). e High protein (HP) at 6 weeks (ow/ob: n = 6/12); f HP at 18 weeks (ow/ob: n = 6/12). g Mixed-diet (MIX) group at 6 weeks (ow/ob: n = 8/11). h MIX at 18 weeks (ow/ob: n = 8/11). Black bars: overweight; white bars: obese. *Statistically significant at alpha < 0.05. ∑All: sum of all BA; ∑Prim: sum of primary BA; ∑Sec: sum of secondary BA; ∑Tert: sum of tertiary BA; 12-α: 12-α hydroxyl BA; non 12-α: non 12-α hydroxylated BA; 12-α/non 12-α: ratio of 12-α hydroxyl BA to non 12-α hydroxylated BA; Conj: conjugated BA; Unconj: unconjugated BA; Conj/Unconj: ratio of conjugated to unconjugated BA