Intravenous dehydrocholate tolerance test in patients with liver disease

The disappearance of intravenously administered dehydrocholate was studied in 13 healthy subjects and 23 patients with chronic liver disease. Serum dehydrocholate was determined by the enzymatic method using 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Following the loading dose of dehydrocholate, serum dehydrocholate and 3 alpha-hydroxy bile acid were assayed at five minute intervals for 15 minutes. During this 15 minute period, dehydrocholate decreased and 3 alpha-hydroxy bile acid increased. The disappearance of the dehydrocholate was delayed in patients with chronic liver disease, and the 5-minute retention value was significantly high in cirrhosis patients.