Abstract
Conclusions
The major bile acids in samples of bile as determined with the aid of gas-liquid chromatography were cholic acid, chenodcoxycholic and deoxycholic acid. Regarding the proportions of the different bile acids, the results from this small group agree with those of Wootton and Wiggins(5). Isaksson(6) and Sjövall(7.8). Deoxycholic acid seemed to disappear in obstructive jaundice. In hepatic bile obtained from patients without jaundice only very small amounts of deoxycholic acid were found. Similar results have been reported by Sjövall (7) and Rudman and Kendall(9).
An interesting finding is the very small amount of deoxycholic acid present in a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia. This patient had been on a general mixed diet without the consumption of highly unsaturated fats or any other treatment of the hypercholesterolemia. Sjövall(7) has reported a similar bile acid pattern in a patient with hypercholesterolemia but on a formula diet. Further studies are in progress on the bile acid pattern in diseases with an altered cholesterol metabolism.
The author wishes to thank colleagues at the Dept. of Surgery for samples of bile. Technical assistance of Mr. J. Gürtler is gratefully acknowledged.
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