Effect of phalloidin on biliary lipid secretion in rats.

1. The effect phalloidin on bile acid, phospholipid and cholesterol secretion into bile was studied in rats with bile fistulae. 2. Phalloidin, when given for 7 days, induced a significant decrease in biliary cholesterol concentration and cholesterol saturation index. Bile acid and phospholipid concentration in bile remained unchanged. This effect was less marked in animals receiving the drug for 3 days, and not detectable in animals treated for 1 day. 3. These results provide circumstantial evidence for the hypothesis that microfilament dysfunction may lead to alterations in cholesterol secretion into bile.