Comparative Effects of Bile Acids on Intestinal Absorption of Cholesterol.

Abstract
1. Effect of various bile acids on intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol has been investigated in lymph-fistula rats. 2. Cholanic, lithocholic, and deoxycholic acids, with none, one and 2 hydroxyl radicals, respectively, produced no increase in lymph cholesterol over the control group. 3. Conjugated bile salts, glycocholate and taurocholate gave comparable significant elevations in total lymph cholesterol/24 hours. 4. Cholic acid with 3 free hydroxyl groups and an unconjugated carboxyl radical was the most effective bile acid in promoting cholesterol absorption from the intestine.