Toxic effect of bile acid ingestion in rats

Ingestion of raw bile from some grass carp fish has been reported to be associated with impairment of renal function in some Chinese people. 5 alpha-cyprinol, the main bile alcohol in these fish, has been suggested as the toxic compound causing electrolyte imbalance. In this study, we attempted to determine whether oral administration of pure bile acids also affects the electrolyte balance in rats. Twenty-four female Long-Evans rats weighing 200-250 g were used. Conscious cannulated animals were prepared and studied with gastric intubation of 15%, 4.8 mL/kg of sodium cholate (SC), sodium deoxycholate (SD), and water; there were three groups of eight rats in each. A drastic drop in blood pressure, elevation of the ST segment of the EKG, increases in plasma potassium, hydrogen, blood urea nitrogen, and oxygen partial pressure were found. All rats treated with bile acids died within 24 hours. Six SD rats and three SC rats died within eight hours after oral administration of bile acid. It is concluded that the effects of feeding rats bile acids are very similar to the toxic action seen after ingestion of grass carp bile.