Bile Acid Metabolism,Dietary Fats,and Plasma Cholesterol Levels. ∗

Summary

1. Administration of highly unsaturated fats to the rat effected a greater intestinal absorption of cholesterol than similar administration of saturated fats. 2. Following continued ingestion of highly unsaturated fat, there was evidence that the fall in plasma cholesterol observed was accompanied by a marked increase in excretion of both cholesterol and bile acid in the bile. 3. The possible relationship of reduction in plasma cholesterol to the observed change in bile cholesterol and bile acid excretion is discussed.