Observations concerning the production and excretion of cholesterol in mammals. V. The relation of biliary retention of cholesterol, distention of the biliary tract, the shunting of bile to the vena cava, and the removal of the gastro-intestinal tract to the hypercholesteremia consequent on biliary obstruction.

Plasma cholesterol was observed to fall after release of biliary obstruction without any concurrent change in biliary excretion of cholesterol. Excision of the nerve trunks accompanying the hepatic artery did not change the degree of hypercholesteremia following biliary obstruction. No significant change in the cholesterol content of hepatic tissue occurred following biliary obstruction. Animals with gastro-intestinal systems removed exhibited no significant change in plasma cholesterol, whereas those subjected to gastro-intestinal removal plus biliary obstruction exhibited a marked hypercholesteremia. Anastomosis of the bile duct to the inferior vena cava resulted in a hypercholesteremia similar to that occurring after obstruction of the bile duct.