Influence of drugs on bile acid excretion

The hydroxylation of bile acids in rat liver microsomes in cyt P-450 dependent (Björkhem et al., 1975). To find out possible interactions between drugs and bile acid hydroxylation and/or active transport mechanisms we investigated the influence of the microsomal inhibitor metyrapon, the microsomal inducer phenobarbital and the intrahepatic cholestasis producing agents chlorpromazine, phenylbutazone and progesteron on bile flow and bile acid excretion. The excretion in monohydroxy (MBA), dihydroxy (DBA) and trihydroxy (TBA) bile acids were estimated in bile-fistula rats in three one hour periods. MBA, DBA and TBA were separated with thinlayer-chromatography and estimated fluorimetrically. Bile flow, bile acid excretion and relation TBA/DBA were influenced by acute and subchronic administration of the above mentioned drugs in different ways.