PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “CHOLIC ACID”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Binding and solubility of oleic acid to laboratory materials: a possible artifact.

The possibility that significant amounts of fatty acids were dissolved in or bound to the surfaces of common laboratory materials was examined. The uptake or adsorption of radioisotopically labeled oleic acid and cholic acid by plastic tubing of Tygon, Teflon, and polyethylene, and Pyrex, and borosilicate glass, and steel was measured. 3H-oleic acid and 14C-cholic acid were used in the presence of different concentrations of unlabeled oleic acid, cholic acid, and/or bovine serum albumin. Concentrations, composition, pH, and perfusion rates were varied. Relatively large amounts (10-95%) of oleic acid (25 microM) were lost by dissolving in plastic and adsorption to glass or metal. The degree of losses decreased in the presence of compounds in the perfusion solution which could bind or dissolve oleic acid. In contrast, cholic acid was not lost to plastic, glass or metal. The magnitude of and influence of perfusion rate, composition, pH, and sequence of perfusion solutions on oleic acid losses were sufficiently large that the results of certain studies, such as those of unstirred water layers of albumin - stimulated fatty acid uptake by hepatocytes may need to be reexamined.

Adsorption↗

Mutations in SRD5B1 (AKR1D1), the gene encoding delta(4)-3-oxosteroid 5beta-reductase, in hepatitis and liver failure in infancy.

BACKGROUND: A substantial group of patients with cholestatic liver disease in infancy excrete, as the major urinary bile acids, the glycine and taurine conjugates of 7alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid and 7alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholenoic acid. It has been proposed that some (but not all) of these have mutations in the gene encoding delta(4)-3-oxosteroid 5beta-reductase (SRD5B1; AKR1D1, OMIM 604741). AIMS: Our aim was to identify mutations in the SRD5B1 gene in patients in whom chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid were absent or present at low concentrations in plasma and urine, as these seemed strong candidates for genetic 5beta-reductase deficiency. PATIENTS AND SUBJECTS: We studied three patients with neonatal onset cholestatic liver disease and normal gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in whom 3-oxo-delta(4) bile acids were the major bile acids in urine and plasma and saturated bile acids were at low concentration or undetectable. Any base changes detected in SRD5B1 were sought in the parents and siblings and in 50 ethnically matched control subjects. METHODS: DNA was extracted from blood and the nine exons of SRD5B1 were amplified and sequenced. Restriction enzymes were used to screen the DNA of parents, siblings, and controls. RESULTS: Mutations in the SRD5B1 gene were identified in all three children. Patient MS was homozygous for a missense mutation (662 C>T) causing a Pro198Leu amino acid substitution; patient BH was homozygous for a single base deletion (511 delT) causing a frame shift and a premature stop codon in exon 5; and patient RM was homozygous for a missense mutation (385 C>T) causing a Leu106Phe amino acid substitution. All had liver biopsies showing a giant cell hepatitis; in two, prominent extramedullary haemopoiesis was noted. MS was cured by treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid; BH showed initial improvement but then deteriorated and required liver transplantation; RM had advanced liver disease when treatment was started and also progressed to liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of blood samples for SRD5B1 mutations can be used to diagnose genetic 5beta-reductase deficiency and distinguish these patients from those who have another cause of 3-oxo-delta(4) bile aciduria, for example, severe liver damage. Patients with genetic 5beta-reductase deficiency may respond well to treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid if liver disease is not too advanced.

Chenodeoxycholic Acid↗

Direct measurement of hepatic extraction of bile acids in subjects with and without liver disease.

1. The hepatic extraction ratio of 14C-labelled bile acids has been measured directly by hepatic vein catheterization in five patients without liver disease (glycocholic acid, three; cholic acid, two) and in 16 patients with histologically confirmed liver disease (glycocholic acid, seven; cholic acid, nine). 2. After intravenous administration of [14C]-glycocholic acid by bolus injection (two control subjects) or constant infusion (one control subject), directly measured hepatic extraction ratio was 0.91, 0.84 and 0.88, greater than that for indocyanine green. The extraction ratio of [14C]cholic acid in two subjects was 0.72 and 0.70, confirming a lower extraction of the unconjugated bile acid. 3. The hepatic extraction ratio of both bile acids was reduced in patients with chronic liver disease (range 0.07-0.69), although the extraction ratio of glycocholic acid remained normal in one patient with viral hepatitis. 4. Estimates of liver flow calculated from the extraction of [14C]glycocholic acid, but not cholic acid, correlated with those calculated from indocyanine green kinetics, although numbers were small. 5. Measurement of the hepatic extraction of individual bile acids, not previously reported in man, allows a more accurate description of the enterohepatic circulation.

Adult↗

HepG2. A human hepatoblastoma cell line exhibiting defects in bile acid synthesis and conjugation.

We used capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to demonstrate that a cell line derived from a well differentiated human hepatoblastoma, HepG2, synthesized and secreted the following bile acids (ng/10(7) cells/h): chenodeoxycholic acid (131.4), cholic acid (3.3), 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid (DHCA; 4.5), and 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid (THCA; 32.0). Deuterium from [7 beta-2H]7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, which was added to the media, was incorporated into newly synthesized chenodeoxycholic acid, DHCA, and THCA, but not into cholic acid. Since THCA is a known precursor of cholic acid, these data suggest that HepG2 is specifically deficient in the side chain cleavage that transforms THCA into cholic acid. Greater than 90% of the bile acids synthesized and secreted by HepG2 were unconjugated. Conjugation could not be stimulated by the addition of glycine or taurine to the media. Approximately 30% of newly synthesized DHCA and THCA were sulfated. Chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid were not appreciably sulfated. In summary, cultured HepG2 cells synthesize bile acid, but in a pattern distinct from that of adult human liver. This cell line may be a model for studying pathways of human bile acid synthesis, conjugation, and sulfation.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Familial giant cell hepatitis with low bile acid concentrations and increased urinary excretion of specific bile alcohols: a new inborn error of bile acid synthesis?

A 9-wk-old infant with familial giant cell hepatitis and severe intrahepatic cholestasis had low plasma concentrations of chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid and elevated plasma concentrations of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,25-tetrol, 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24 zeta-tetrol, and 5 beta-cholest-24-ene-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-triol. Analysis of the urine by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after treatment with Helix pomatia glucuronidase/sulfatase showed that the major cholanoids in urine were the glucuronides of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24S,25-pentol, 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,25-tetrol, and 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24 zeta-tetrol. These results are consistent with an inborn error of the 25-hydroxylase pathway for bile acid synthesis, specifically one of the enzymes responsible for conversion of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24S,25-pentol to cholic acid and acetone. Treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid was tried on two occasions. On the first it appeared to precipitate a rise in bilirubin, on the second the liver function tests improved and the improvement was maintained when the treatment was modified to a combination of chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid and finally, cholic acid alone. Despite the normalization of liver function tests, a liver biopsy at 1.25 y showed an active cirrhosis. Nonetheless, the child is thriving at the age of 3.5 y, whereas an affected sibling died at 13 mo.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Bile salt damage of egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes.

Physiochemical damage of egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes, caused by the salts of three bile acids, chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, and cholic acid, has been investigated. Of the three bile salts, that of chenodeoxycholic acid was the most destructive, and the effect of the damage was examined by monitoring the induced 6-carboxyfluorescein release from the liposomes. For all three of the bile salts and under the experimental conditions, the minimum (effective) concentrations causing the 6-carboxyfluorescein release were below their critical micelle concentrations. In the case of the salt of chenodeoxycholic acid, the presence of cholesterol in the liposomal bilayers did not show any significant effect on the induced 6-carboxyfluorescein release, while, for the salts of ursodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid, the presence of cholesterol tended to depress the release. Permeation of bile salts into the membranes of liposomal bilayers made these membranes more fluid, and this fluidity was monitored by measuring the change in fluorescence polarization using 1,6-diphenylhexatriene entrapped in the liposomes. Coating the liposomes with polysaccharides, to make them more hydrophobic, led to their easier lysis by the bile salts.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Effect of primary bile acid ingestion on bile acid metabolism and biliary lipid secretion in gallstone patients.

Bile acid kinetics were measured by isotope dilution, and hourly outputs of bile acid, cholesterol, and phospholipid were quantified by duodenal perfusion over 24 hr including three liquid meals and an overnight fast in 6 gallstone patients during a pretreatment period and two randomized treatment periods with chenodeoxycholic (chenic) acid or cholic acid. During chenic acid ingestion, bile contained predominantly chenyl conjugates. During cholic acid ingestion, bile was composed of about equal amounts of cholyl and deoxycholyl conjugates; chenyl conjugates decreased markedly due in part to a 50% decrease in chenic acid synthesis. Total bile acid pool size doubled in half the patients receiving either bile acid and was not different during treatment with chenic or cholic acid. Compared to cholic acid, chenic acid caused decreased cholesterol output with no difference in bile acid or phospholipid output. Therefore, bile unsaturated with cholesterol entered the duodenum for more hours per day during chenic acid ingestion than during the cholic or pretreatment periods. There was no relationship among bile acid pool size, bile acid output, and hours per day of supersaturated bile; there was an inverse relationship between total pool size and recycling frequency such that bile acid output remained stable over a wide range of pool sizes. Fasting-state gallbladder bile was supersaturated during the cholic and pretreatment periods, but became unsaturated during chenic acid ingestion. However, hours per day of supersaturated bile could not be reliably predicted from the degree of saturation of fasting-state gallbladder bile (r = 0.62). The efficacy of chenic acid and the lack of efficacy of cholic acid for gallstone dissolution appear related to their different specific effects on biliary cholesterol secretion and not to any effect on bile acid and phospholipid secretion or bile acid pool size.

Bile↗

Ursodeoxycholic acid in the Ursidae: biliary bile acids of bears, pandas, and related carnivores.

The biliary bile acid composition of gallbladder bile obtained from six species of bears (Ursidae), the Giant panda, the Red panda, and 11 related carnivores were determined by reversed phase liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Bile acids were conjugated solely with taurine (in N-acyl linkage) in all species. Ursodeoxycholic acid (3 alpha, 7 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid) was present in all Ursidae, averaging 1-39% of biliary bile acids depending on the species; it was not detected or present as a trace constituent (< 0.5%) in all other species, including the Giant panda. Ursodeoxycholic acid was present in 73 of 75 American Black bears, and its proportion averaged 34% (range 0-62%). Ursodeoxycholic acid averaged 17% of biliary bile acids in the Polar bear (n = 4) and 18% in the Brown bear (n = 6). Lower proportions (1-8%) were present in the Sun bear (n = 2), Ceylon Sloth bear (n = 1), and the Spectacled bear (n = 1). Bile of all species contained taurine-conjugated chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid. In some related carnivores, deoxycholic acid, the 7-dehydroxylation product of cholic acid, was also present. To determine whether the 7 beta hydroxy group of ursodeoxycholic acid was formed by hepatic or bacterial enzymes, bile acids were determined in hepatic bile obtained from bears with chronic biliary fistulae. Fistula bile samples contained ursodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and a trace amount of cholic acid, all as taurine conjugates, indicating that ursodeoxycholic acid is a primary bile acid formed in the liver in Ursidae.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Quantitative determination of bile acid glucuronides in serum by mass fragmentography.

Individual non-glucuronidated . non-sulfated, glucuronidated and sulfated bile acids in serum were determined, i.e. lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, and cholic acid, by mass fragmentography. Glucuronic acid conjugates of lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and cholic acid were synthesized via the Koenigs-Knorr condensation reaction. Deuterium labeled deoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid glucuronide, deoxycholic acid glucuronide, and deoxycholic acid sulfate were synthesized and used as internal standards. A serum sample of 1 ml including internal standards was purified with a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge. After the enzymatic cleavage of amino acid conjugates, bile acids were separated into three fractions, free, glucuronidated, and sulfated bile acids, using piperidinohydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20 (Goto et al. (1978) Clin. Chim. Acta 87). Glucuronidated and sulfated bile acids were deconjugated by beta-glucuronidase treatment and solvolysis. Each fraction was converted to the hexafluoroisopropyl-trifluoroacetyl derivative and quantitated by mass fragmentography. The average concentrations of individual bile acid glucuronides from healthy fasting subjects (n = 9) were as follows; lithocholic acid 0.013 microgram/ml, deoxycholic acid 0.083 microgram/ml, chenodeoxycholic acid 0.078 microgram/ml, ursodeoxycholic acid 0.013 microgram/ml, and cholic acid 0.007 microgram/ml. Bile acid glucuronides occupied 7.8% of the total bile acids.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Competitive inhibition of side chain oxidation of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid by 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid in the hamster.

3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid (DHCA) and 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid (THCA) are metabolized into chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid, respectively, through oxidation and cleavage of the terminal three carbons of the side chain. The present study was designed to determine if the same or different side chain oxidation systems are used by these compounds in the bile fistula hamster model. Although a single injection of [3H]THCA is nearly completely metabolized into cholic acid, only about 50% is converted into cholic acid when THCA is infused at a rate of 0.083 mumol/min. The remainder is excreted in the bile unchanged indicating saturation of the side chain oxidation system. Fifty-nine +/- 1.1% (+/- 1SEM) of a single injection of [3H]DHCA is metabolized into chenodeoxycholic acid in bile fistula hamsters infused with either saline or cholic acid at a rate of 0.083 mumol/min. The remainder was excreted as several other metabolic products including cholic acid. However, when [3H]DHCA was administered during an 0.083 mumol/min infusion of THCA, only 39.0 +/- 4.5% of the radioactivity in bile was identified as chenodeoxycholic acid. Thus, this study indicates that DHCA and THCA share at least one of the enzymes involved in side chain oxidation.

Animals↗

Mesophase formation during cholesterol gallstone dissolution in human bile: effect of bile acid composition.

Duodenal bile obtained from patients with gallstones who were acutely infused with chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, or cholic acid were examined for the propensity toward the formation of a liquid crystalline mesomorphic phase when cholesterol gallstones were incubated in these bile acids. Bile taken from patients infused with ursodeoxycholic acid was found to be enriched in ursodeoxycholic acid; mesophase formation was detected in these samples but not in bile from patients infused with chenodeoxycholic acid or cholic acid.

Bile↗

Bile acid synthesis in HepG2 cells: effect of cyclosporin.

The hypothesis that cyclosporin specifically affects the pathway of bile acid synthesis that begins with 27-hydroxylation of cholesterol was evaluated in HepG2 cells, which synthesize chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid from endogenous 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol. At a concentration in the medium of 8.3 microM cyclosporin, the proportion of cholic acid increased from 29 +/- 7% to 44 +/- 6% (P < 0.001) with no major change in total bile acid production. Chenodeoxycholic acid synthesis was enhanced by the addition of either 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol or 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha-diol to the medium and cholic acid synthesis was enhanced by the addition of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-triol to the medium. Cyclosporin significantly inhibited only enhanced chenodeoxycholic acid synthesis, indicating a selective interference in mitochondrial side chain oxidation of less polar intermediates in bile acid synthesis derived from either initial 7 alpha- or initial 27-hydroxylation of cholesterol. The increase in the proportion of cholic acid that occurs in the presence of cyclosporin mimics that occurring in genetically determined sterol 27-hydroxylase deficiency (cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis). Cyclosporin is useful for dissecting the subcellular pathways of bile acid synthesis.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Chemoprevention of azoxymethane-induced colonic carcinogenesis by supplemental dietary ursodeoxycholic acid.

The present studies were conducted at the Universities of Chicago and Arizona to examine and compare the effects of supplemental dietary ursodeoxycholic acid to cholic acid, a known tumor promoter, and to piroxicam, a known chemopreventive agent, in the azoxymethane (AOM) model of experimental colonic carcinogenesis. Male Fischer 344 rats were utilized in these experiments. All animals were fed a basal diet (AIN-76) supplemented with 0.2% or 0.4% cholic acid, 0.2% or 0.4% ursodeoxycholic acid, 0.2% ursodeoxycholic acid plus 0.2% cholic acid, or 75 ppm piroxicam. Rats were given s.c. injections once a week for 2 weeks with AOM (15 mg/kg body wt/week) or vehicle (saline) after being fed their respective diets for 2 weeks. The rats in each group were then maintained on their respective diets for approximately 28 weeks; after sacrifice, their colons were removed and examined macroscopically and microscopically for the presence of tumors. The results of these studies demonstrated that none of the control rats fed the various diets injected with AOM-vehicle developed tumors. In groups receiving AOM, the addition of cholic acid (0.4%) caused a significant increase in the incidence of tumors. In contrast, the addition of 0.2% ursodeoxycholic acid did not promote AOM-induced colonic tumors, and when it was added to a promoting dose of cholic acid (0.2%), 0.2% ursodeoxycholic acid prevented enhancement of tumor promotion. At higher doses (0.4%), supplemental dietary ursodeoxycholic acid significantly reduced the incidence of colon tumors and cancers. Moreover, the tumor suppressive effects of 0.4% ursodeoxycholic acid exceeded that of dietary piroxicam. Our results further emphasize the important role of bile salts in modulating colonic tumor development. These studies also demonstrate for the first time that supplemental dietary ursodeoxycholic acid is a chemopreventive agent in the AOM model of experimental colonic carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Direct coupling of micellar electrokinetic chromatography to mass spectrometry using a volatile buffer system based on perfluorooctanoic acid and ammonia.

Direct coupling of micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) to mass spectrometry (MS) without employing partial filling is considered to be a challenge. One way of solving the problem would be the use of an MS-compatible surfactant. In the present study, the applicability of a series of surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), lauric acid, cholic acid and perfluorated carboxylic acids) have been investigated both in terms of separation performance and MS compatibility. It was found that a MEKC system based on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and ammonia gave excellent results. The separation performance of the suggested system is comparable to the one obtained with standard systems based on SDS and sodium borate buffer although the selectivity is different. The electrospray ionization MS signal of the analytes is not seriously suppressed even at a PFOA concentration of 100 mM. Clusters are formed but their intensities are relatively low and comparable to those obtained with acetic acid. PFOA is volatile enough to allow long-term use, 30 h of continuous use has been recorded without any signs of decreasing performance. After use residual PFOA is easily removed from the ion-source (no memory effects). Furthermore, quantitation of trace impurities is possible at 25 ppb level when employing selected ion monitoring.

Ammonia↗

Oral bile acid treatment and the patient with Zellweger syndrome.

The cerebrohepatorenal syndrome of Zellweger is a congenital syndrome of multiple manifestations, including hepatomegaly and liver dysfunction. Treatment is generally of a supportive nature, aimed at improving nutrition and growth, controlling the central nervous system symptoms and limiting progression of liver disease. Because the liver disease in Zellweger syndrome may be attributed to an overproduction and accumulation of cholestanoic acids, exacerbated by diminished primary bile acid synthesis, we hypothesized that primary bile acid administration would be beneficial in improving liver function by a mechanism involving down-regulation in the synthesis of these atypical bile acids. We report here the clinical and biochemical responses to primary bile acid administration in a 2-mo-old boy who was seen with the typical signs of Zellweger syndrome. Liver disease was evident from hepatomegaly and elevated serum liver enzymes and bilirubin. The diagnosis was supported by markedly elevated serum very long chain fatty acids and the bile acids dihydroxycholestanoic acid and trihydroxycholestanoic acid. Confirmation of the lack of peroxisomes was established by electron microscopy. When the patient was 6 mo old, the primary bile acids cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, (100 mg each/day) were administered orally. A significant improvement in biochemical indices of liver function occurred with a normalization of the serum bilirubin and liver enzymes and a histological improvement in the extent of inflammation and bile duct proliferation and disappearance of cannalicular plugs. Serum and urinary cholestanoic acids showed a significant decrease within a few days. A striking and sustained increase in growth was observed after therapy, and an improvement in neurological symptoms was noted. In conclusion, this study indicates that primary bile acid therapy improves liver function and growth in the patient with peroxisomal dysfunction and should be considered in the supportive therapies for this condition.

Administration, Oral↗

Expression of protein kinase C isoenzymes in colorectal cancer tissue and their differential activation by different bile acids.

Expression of protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes was determined in paired samples of normal mucosa and colorectal cancer tissue from 13 patients. Total PKC activity in cancer tissue was significantly decreased compared to that in normal mucosa. Western blotting, using PKC isoenzyme-specific antibodies, showed that two PKC isoenzymes, PKC beta and PKC epsilon, were significantly decreased in cancer tissue. The level of PKC delta was increased in cancer tissue and the expression of PKC alpha and zeta was not altered significantly. Primary bile acids--cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA)--and the principal secondary bile acids--deoxycholic acid (DCA), lithocholic acid (LCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)--were found to be potent and selective activators of partially purified PKC isoenzymes. PKC beta 1 was the isoenzyme most effectively activated by secondary bile acids. Our data provide a model for the involvement of secondary bile acids in colorectal carcinogenesis through specific PKC isoenzyme modulation in colorectal mucosa.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Serum and bile lipid levels in patients with and without gallstones.

The aim of the present study was to investigate predisposing factors that lead to the formation of gallstones. In a group of 70 patients (51 with gallstones and 19 without, 20 possible risk factors were studied: percent of ideal body weight, the presence of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes and in serum, lipid peroxide in serum, total serum cholesterol (Ch), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (Ch), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-Ch, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-Ch, serum triglyceride (TG), HDL-TG, LDL-TG, VLDL-TG, serum bile acids (lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxy cholic acid, ursodeoxy-cholic acid, and cholic acid) and serum apolipoproteins (apo A-1, apo B-100, and apo A-1/apo B-100). Levels of apo B-100 and serum insulin in patients with gallstones were strikingly higher, and superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes was significantly lower than in individuals with no gallstones. Apo A-1 and HDL-Ch were also higher and LDL-Ch was lower in the gallstone group, albeit non-significantly so (P > 0.05) by t-test. However, Apo A-1, HDL-Ch, and LDL-Ch showed remarkably good discriminatory power in stepwise discriminant analysis of the 20 factors. Bile lipid composition was also measured and the cholesterol saturation index was calculated, but no significant differences were seen between the two groups. The results demonstrate that serum lipid patterns differ to some extent in patients with and without gallstones. Lipid derangement may contribute to the development of gallstone disease.

Adult↗

Effect of aging and dietary restriction on bile acid metabolism in rats.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether increased output of phospholipid in bile during aging may be due to alteration of bile acid composition and stimulated hydrophobic bile acid formation. In female Sprague-Dawley rats we examined the influence of aging and life long dietary restriction (60% of the ad libitum intake) on bile flow, total bile acid secretion, bile acid composition and conjugation pattern, as well as phospholipid output. Rats were cannulated at 3.5, 8-12 and 24-27 months of age and bile collected for analysis. With age, there was a significant reduction in bile flow and total bile acid secretion, however, phospholipid output increased. Restriction of dietary intake exerted a beneficial effect on the age-related decline in bile formation. Studies of bile composition indicated that 12 alpha-hydroxylated bile acids (cholic acid and deoxycholic acid) secretion decreased in aged rats compared to 3.5-month-old rats. This was associated with a corresponding increase in secretion of chenodeoxycholic acid and hyodeoxycholic-ursodeoxycholic acid. However, the magnitude of the change in secretion of these bile acids could not account for the increased output of phospholipid in bile.

Aging↗