Journal of Lipid Research, Vol 20, 389-398, Copyright © 1979 by Lipid Research, Inc.
Effects of continuous and intermittent feeding on biliary lipid outputs in man: application for measurements of intestinal absorption of cholesterol and bile acids
HY Mok, K von Bergmann and SM Grundy
Hepatic outputs of biliary lipids can be measured by intestinal perfusion
techniques, either during constant infusion of liquid formula into the
duodenum or through-out a 24-hour period during which time three meals are
given along with an overnight fast. The purpose of this study was to
compare these two methods for estimating secretion of biliary lipids. In 21
subjects, mean hourly outputs measured during continuous feeding were
highly comparable to those during intermittent feeding, showing that the
constant infusion technique gave valid estimations of overall daily
secretion rates of biliary lipids. On the other hand, the intermittent mode
of feeding showed phasic changes of outputs and composition of biliary
lipids in response to feeding and fasting apart from total outputs over 24
hours. However, it takes longer to complete and requires the use of a meal
marker. By combining the intestinal perfusion technique with measurements
of fecal excretion of neutral steroids and bile acids, this method may be
used to estimate absorption of cholesterol and bile acids from the
intestine. Thus, these measurements allow quantification of a number of
parameters of the enterohepatic circulation.