METABOLISM OF 5-BETA-CHOLESTANE-3-ALPHA, 7-ALPHA-DIOL IN ILEECTOMIZEDRATS

The effect of ileectomy on the composition of biliary bile acids and t he metabolism of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha-diol was studied in rats. In the ileectomized rats, there was an increase in the percenta ge of cholic acid group (cholic acid and deoxycholic acid) as compared with the normal rats. After rats with a bile fistula were given intra venously 5 beta-[7 beta-H-3]cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha-diol, there was a 3-fold increase in the percentage of [H-3]cholic acid in the ileect omized rats compared to the normal rats. The findings have suggested t hat an increase in the percentage of cholic acid group in the ileectom ized rats is due to the increased formation of cholic acid through an alternative pathway which involves 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha-d iol.