[Bilirubin and bile acid metabolism in cirrhotic rats].

The results showed that the concentration of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) in the bile was higher than that in the normal controls (P less than 0.01), while the total bilirubin remained normal. The constituent ratio of bilirubin monoglucuronide and diglucuronide exhibited no marked difference between these two groups. The concentration of total bile acids (TBA) in cirrhotic rats was lower than that in the normals (P less than 0.001). In cirrhotic rats, some bile acids, e.g., TCA TCDCA GCA and GCDCA decreased while TLCA increased. Changes in the concentration of UCB and TBA correlated to the degree of fatty degeneration of the liver without cirrhosis, but this correlation disappeared once cirrhosis was formed. It is concluded that increased UCB and decreased TBA may be the factors responsible for the formation of pigment gallstones in cirrhotic patients.