Effect of Dietary Bile Acids on in vivo Cholesterol Metabolism in the Rat. ∗

Summary

1) A 3-week period of feeding a diet containing 0.5% cholic acid did not alter serum and adrenal total cholesterol levels. However, a slight but significant increase in liver total cholesterol was observed. Dietary dehydrocholic acid had no effect on serum, liver or adrenal total cholesterol levels. 2) Cholic acid increased serum bile acid concentration. while dehydrocholic acid had no effect. 3) Dietary cholic acid reduced rates of synthesis and mobilization of cholesterol in both liver and adrenal. Dehydrocholic acid produced similar results but to a lesser degree. 4) Accumulation and mobilization of serum cholesterol were retarded by dietary cholic acid, and slightly by dehydrocholic acid.