Effect of Cholestyramine,∗ A Bile Acid Binding Polymer on Plasma Cholesterol and Fecal Bile Acid Excretion in the Rat

Abstract

Summary

Administration of cholestyramine, a bile acid binding polymer to rats on a normal diet was without effect on plasma or liver cholesterol concentration, but produced a rise in fecal bile acid excretion. These effects were accompanied by an increase in hepatic de novo cholesterol synthesis. Cholestyramine prevented the rise in plasma cholesterol resulting from administration of cholesterol and cholic acid. The fecal bile acids were increased slightly with a marked elevation in the dihydroxycholanic to cholic acid ratio.