A study was undertaken to compare the effects of n-3 and n-6 fatty aci
ds on bile flow and bile composition in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats
were fed diets containing either 10% corn oil or 8% fish oil (MaxEPA)
and 2% corn oil for a period of 2 weeks. At the end of the feeding pe
riod, rats were fitted with exteriorized cannulas in the duodenum and
bile duct. While a glucose-saline solution was infused through the duo
denal cannula at 3.0 mL/h, bile was collected hourly for 6 hours. Bile
secretion was found to be greater in the fish oil fed rats than the c
orn oil fed animals. As a function of bile flow per hour, the bile aci
d, cholesterol and phospholipid output appeared to be greater in the g
roup receiving fish oil, However, when concentration was determined, t
he effect of diet disappeared. Diet had an effect on the fatty acid co
mposition of bile phospholipids. Rats fed fish oil had significantly m
ore eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the bile phospholipi
ds than those fed corn oil while those fed corn oil had higher levels
of arachidonic acid.