Interrelationship of Plasma Cholate and Phospholipid Concentrations and Their Resultant Effect on Plasma Cholesterol in Biliary Obstruction

Abstract

Elevation of plasma cholate (by intravenous injection of sodium cholate) in both the normal rat and the rat with biliary obstruction was found to lead to an elevation of plasma phospholipid and cholesterol. Experimental elevation of plasma phospholipid (also by injection), however, while leading to an elevation of plasma cholesterol did not elevate the plasma cholate in either the normal or obstructed rat. Furthermore, comparison of the cholesterol-phospholipid ratio obtained in rats by infusion of phosphatide with those observed in rats with biliary obstruction suggests that the plasma phospholipid elevation occurring spontaneously in these latter rats induced the hypercholesteremia observed. In view of these observations, it is suggested the elevation of plasma bile acid occurring in biliary obstruction effects its hypercholesteremic effect by first leading to the elevation of plasma phospholipid. The latter in turn leads to the hypercholesteremia observed.