Influence of primary bile acid feeding on cholesterol metabolism and hepatic function in the rhesus monkey.

In three healthy rhesus monkeys fed chenodeoxycholic (chenic) acid, there was no consistent increase in the total exchangeable cholesterol pool or input to the cholesterol pool. In three similar monkeys fed cholic acid, the total exchangeable pool increased in all animals and input to the cholesterol pool increased in two. Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) increased transiently in two animals in each group. Morphologic abnormalities (triaditis with atypical ductular proliferation) were noted in one animal; this animal was ingesting chenic acid but had normal liver test results at the time of biopsy. Biliary bile acids contained 8 to 14 percent lithocholic acid in the chenic acid group and 48 to 72 percent deoxycholic acid in the cholic acid group.