Primate Biliary Physiology VIII. THE EFFECT OF PHENOBARBITAL UPON BILE SALT SYNTHESIS AND POOL SIZE, BILIARY LIPID SECRETION, AND BILE COMPOSITION

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Abstract

Phenobarbital, by inducing liver microsomal enzymes, may affect bile acid synthesis from cholesterol and thus alter the secretion of biliary lipids and the composition of bile. We, therefore, determined the effects of phenobarbital on bile flow, biliary lipid secretion, bile acid synthesis, and bile-acid pool size. Using an experimental preparation that allows controlled interruption of the enterohepatic circulation (1), we administered 5 mg/kg per day of phenobarbital to healthy Rhesus monkeys for 1-2 wk to achieve steady-state conditions. Three animals were studied with an intact enterohepatic circulation and three with a total bile fistula, each animal served as its own control. Total bile flow and secretion of bile salt, phospholipid, and cholesterol were measured every 24 h during steady-state conditions. Further, under conditions of an intact enterohepatic circulation bile-acid synthetic rate was measured in three animals and pool size estimated in two animals during both control and drug treatment periods.

Authors

Richard N. Redinger, Donald M. Small