Inhibition of bile flow by intravenous arginine hydrochloride.

One proposed mechanism for the cholestasis associated with total parenteral nutrition is infusion of amino acids. Arginine, 19 mumol/kg/min, was infused for a short time in healthy dogs with a biliary fistula to test the effect of endogenous hormone release on bile flow and composition. Both plasma glucagon and blood glucose levels increased. Despite the release of the choleretic hormone, glucagon, bile flow decreased 30%. The suppression of bile flow was attributed to a decrease in the bile acid-dependent fraction of bile flow. Bile acid, cholesterol, and phospholipid output were all depressed.