Effect of Biliary Stimulants on Disappearance Rate of Intravenously Administered Cholesterol

Abstract

This investigation studied the effects of biliary salts (Bilron-Lilly and sodium dehydrocholate), on the removal of intravenously administered cholesterol from the blood stream in rabbits. All of the animals were given 100 mg of cholesterol per kg intravenously. Plasma containing 3000 mg % of cholesterol or more, which was obtained from rabbits previously fed cholesterol, was used as the source of cholesterol according to the procedure employed by Horlick, Feldman and Katz(1). The rabbits were divided into 3 groups, one serving as the control, the others receiving either Bilron or sodium dehydrocholate in amounts indicated in the table. This was administered at the same time as the hypercholesteremic and hyperlypemic plasma and repeat doses were given 24 and 48 hours later. Total and free serum cholesterols were determined by the Schoenheimer-Sperry(2) method on samples taken before the injection and at intervals of 15 minutes, 24, 48 and 72 hours later. As shown in the Table I no significant effect was noted on the disappearance rate of the injected cholesterol following the administration of the test drugs.