Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 14, 552-556, September 1973
Copyright © 1973 by Lipid Research, Inc.
Alterations in biliary lipids of mice during dehydrocholic acid feeding
Nicholas W. DiTullio and Elwood J. Stack
Smith Kline & French Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101
Mice were fed a lithogenic diet consisting of Purina chow and 0.5% dehydrocholic acid (DHA group). Controls received Purina chow. Every 2 wk for 20 wk animals were killed, and biliary phospholipid, cholesterol, and bile salt concentrations were determined, as well as the extent of gallstone formation. With time there was a gradual, significant decline in the concentration and the relative composition of phospholipid in both groups compared with initial values. There was a significant increase in biliary cholesterol concentration and relative amount in the DHA group compared with the control. No significant differences were found in the relative amounts of bile salt or phospholipid between the two groups. Feeding DHA resulted in an increased concentration of bile salts and the sum of measured lipid compared with controls. After 8 wk, gallstones were found in approximately 60% of autopsied animals and correlated with increased cholesterol concentration. Our data support the hypothesis that there is a component of cholesterol secretion that may not be bile salt- or phospholipid-dependent. Our data also suggest that biliary phospholipid secretion decreases with age.
Supplementary key words gallstones bile cholesterol phospholipid bile salts aging micelles
Submitted on July 19, 1972
Revised on February 6, 1973
Accepted on May 1, 1973