Cholesterol metabolism following portacaval shunt in the pig.

Portacaval shunting resulted in lower serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels in comparison with values for littermate control pigs. Triglyceride levels were lower in the shunted animals only while receiving a low fat diet. The reductions in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels of shunted pigs while receiving a standard pig diet were shown to be related to reduced hepatic synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides.