Effects of a standardized wheat bran preparation on biliary lipid composition and bile acid metabolism in young healthy males

Abstract

The effects of adding bran to the normal diet on biliary lipid composition and bile acid metabolism was studied in a group of young healthy males. A chemically standardized coarse wheat bran product, with serum lipid lowering properties, in a dose of 0.5 kg- body wt per day was used. Bran feeding for 4 or 8 wk did not change biliary lipid and biliary bile acid composition. Fecal bile acid and neutral sterol composition was similar before and after 8 wk of bran. Bile acid kinetics, measured by double isotope dilution after simultaneous injection of [3H]cholic acid and [14C]deoxycholic acid, showed minor differences before and during bran ingestion. An increase in 7.alpha.-dehydroxylation fraction (input of deoxycholic acid divided by synthesis of cholic acid) was found in 6 of 7 subjects after 4 wk of bran and in all 4 subjects after 8 wk of bran. The bran product used is not effective in lowering the biliary cholesterol saturation in healthy young males nor does it reduce deoxycholate input in these subjects after 8 wk.