Percent cholesterol absorption was determined by intestinal perfusion technique using triple lumen tube before and after administration of three bile acids (ursodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid) one month each and consecutively in six normal volunteers.
UDCA significantly decreased percent cholesterol absorption in all cases. CDCA did not affect, but CA increased percent cholesterol absorption in five out of six cases. The admi nistered bile acid became predominant after one month in bile, and cholesterol saturation index decreased significantly during UDCA and CDCA but was not altered during CA administration.
UDCA and CDCA did not affect serum lipid levels but CA significantlydec reased HDL -cholesterol.
UDCA and CDCA have different effects on intestinal cholesterol absorption which lead the author to confirmation that they have different mechanism of action of dissolving cholesterol gallstones.
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