Effect of bile diversion on induced hypercholesterolemia.

HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA is considered a major denominator in coronary atherosclerosis, and in view of the unfortunately high incidence of coronary atherosclerosis, methods of control of hypercholesterolemia should be in demand. As will be demonstrated in the following report of our investigations, this can be accomplished very effectively by biliary diversion. Method Hypercholesterolemia was produced in 20 adult mongrel dogs after baseline serum cholesterol levels and weights had been established. The hypercholesterolemic state was induced by performing a near-total thyroidectomy complemented by 100 mg of propylthiouracil a day, along with a daily diet containing 20 gm of cholesterol and 40 gm of animal fat. Weekly weights and serum cholesterol values were obtained, and each animal was followed up until stable levels were observed. At this point, they were placed into one of the four groups described below. A biliary diversion procedure was performed in three of the groups. The technique employed, as