Metabolism of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha-diol in ileectomized rats

The effect of ileectomy on the composition of biliary bile acids and the metabolism of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha-diol was studied in rats. In the ileectomized rats, there was an increase in the percentage of cholic acid group (cholic acid and deoxycholic acid) as compared with the normal rats. After rats with a bile fistula were given intravenously 5 beta-[7 beta-3H] cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha-diol, there was a 3-fold increase in the percentage of [3H]cholic acid in the ileectomized rats compared to the normal rats. The findings have suggested that an increase in the percentage of cholic acid group in the ileectomized rats is due to the increased formation of cholic acid through an alternative pathway which involves 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha-diol.