[Effect of metyrapone on bile flow and bile acid excretion in Wistar rats]

The influence of metyrapone on bile flow and excretion of mono-(MBA), di-(DBA) and trihydroxy-(TBA)-bile acids was investigated in adult male Wistar rats after single and repeated pretreatment. MBA were not found in the rat bile. Metyrapone administration (200 mg/kg b.w. i.p.) 1 h before onset of a 3-hour bile collection period diminished bile flow and excretion of DBA and TBA. The relation TBA/DBA was changed towards DBA. Similar results were found after repeated administration 12 h after the last metyrapone injection (4 x 50 mg/kg b.w. i.p. per day for 4 consecutive days). But 60 h after the last metyrapone administration bile flow and the excretion of TBA were enhanced and the TBA/DBA ratio was changed towards TBA. The possible influence of metyrapone on bile acid hydroxylation is discussed and compared with metyrapone action on hydroxylation of foreign compounds.