Differences in Bile Acid Excretion in Subjects with Hypercholesterolaemia, Hypertriglyceridaemia and Overweight

Summary: The faecal excretion of bile acids, which are the major product of cholesterol catabolism, was measured in four groups of subjects: 1. normolipidaemic (8); 2. familial hypercholesterolaemic (8); 3. overweight, hypertriglyceridaemic (6); 4. overweight, normolipidaemic (6). Bile acid excretion was significantly less (p < 0.05) in hypercholesterolaemic (2.99 mg/kg/day) than in normolipidaemic subjects (3.88 mg/kg/day). Excretion was highest in hypertriglyceridaemic subjects (6.07 mg/ kg/ day). Although total bile acid excretion was also high in overweight, normolipidaemic subjects, it was found to be normal when corrected for body weight (3.87 mg/kg/day.). Familial hypercholesterolaemia may therefore reflect diminished catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids. By contrast, cholesterol turnover and catabolism is increased in hypertriglyceridaemia, and this is independent of any associated overweight.