Diurnal changes of bile lipid concentration in hepatic bile of cholecystectomized man

Diurnal variations of bile lipid concentration were studied in ten patients with a tube in the main bile duct following a cholecystectomy. 5-6 bile samples per 24 h were collected from each patient during 3-40 days. The enterohepatic cycle was not significantly modified since total bile samples did not exceed 40 ml/day. Significant diurnal variations were observed in cholesterol concentration. Changes in lecithin concentration seemed to be similar in seven patients but did not reach the level of significance in any individual patient. Maximal values were observed between 4 and 8 a.m. and minimal values at 4 p.m. Bile salt concentration varied without any circadian periodicity. Mean bile lipid concentration was calculated for each patient. The patients with highest cholesterol concentrations have also the highest mean lecithin concentration. Mean bile salt concentration does not differ much from one patient to another.