Effects of alcohol on biliary lipids in the presence of a chronic biliary fistula.

To investigate the effects of alcohol on bile volume and bile composition, dogs with a Thomas cannula and cannulated common ducts were given loading and maintenance doses of alcohol. Bile was analyzed for total bile salts, phospholipids and cholesterol. In dogs with partial interruption of the enterohepatic circulation, alcohol caused significant diminution of volume and outputs of bile salts and cholesterol. However, when a high bile flow was maintained by intravenous infusion of taurocholate sodium, the effects of alcohol on volume and total bile salts were no longer demonstrated. Fall in cholesterol output, nevertheless, persisted. These results show that alcohol causes significant changes in bile flow and biliary lipid composition and support the existence of a bile salt independent fraction of cholesterol secretion in the dog.