Lithogenic Bile after Conjugated Estrogen

Abstract

Reference is made to a previous paper by Bennion et al. describing t he effects of contraceptive steroids on the lipid composition of gall bladder bile. A similar rise in cholesterol saturation of hepatic bile was observed after giving conjugated equine estrogens (.5 mg/kg) to 7 fa sting patients with indwelling T-tubes. Liver function tests were norma l and bile culture was negative. 1 ml of hepatic bile was collected aft er 6, 12, and 24 hours for lipid determinations. The administration of estrogens promptly produced lithogenic hepatic bile. The effect was tra nsient with the lithogenic index returning to normal at 24 hours. 3 day s previous to this investigation hepatic bile had been normal. In a pre vious study a reduced biliary concentration of bile acids had been found in rats exposed to estradiol.