The effect of sodium salicylate on bile secretion in the dog

1. The I.V. injection of sodium salicylate (100 mg/kg) in the dog caused a rapid and maintained choleresis of the order of 300-600 percent of control levels. 2. The total amount of salicylate excreted in bile was only 1-2 percent of that injected. 3. The secretion of bile salt into bile was not increased by salicylate. 4. The choleresis caused by salicylate was associated iwth a decrease in the concentrations of sodium and of bile salt in bile, and with an increase in the concentration of chloride; the biliary concentration of bicarbonate was either temporarily increased or unchanged. 5. The choleresis could not be inhibited by the intra-portal injection of of ouabain (0-1 mg/kg). 6. The secretion of bromsulphthalein into bile was not potentiated by the choleresis. 7. The choleretic efficiency of sodium taurocholate was not increased in the presence of salicylate. 8. The injection of acetazolamide (20 mg/kg) in the presence of a salicylate choleresis, caused an increase in the osmolaity of bile and an increase in biliary sodium concentration, such that the composition of bile more nearly approached that of plasma. 9. The possible mechanisms underlying the choleretic effect of sodium salicylate are discussed.