Changes in the Binding of Radioactive Conjugated Bile Salts to Serum Proteins in Cholestatic Jaundice

1. A micro-partition centrifugal ultrafiltration technique has been used to monitor the percentage of[¹⁴C]glycocholate,[³H]glycochenodeoxycholate and[³H]glycochenodepxycholate-3-sulphate bound to serum proteins of patients with cholestatic liver disease.

2. in comparison with normal individuals the percentage of binding of [¹⁴C]glycocholate and, to a lesser extent, of [³H]glycochenodeoxycholate and [³H]glycochenodeoxycholate-3-sulphate was reduced.

3. The binding of [¹⁴C]glycocholate was inversely related to the serum bile salt and bilirubin concentrations. in contrast, the binding of [³H]glycochenodeoxycholate and [³H]glycochenodeoxycholate-3-sulphate were not altered by the severity of the cholestasis.

4. Studies in vitro indicated that the reduction in the binding of [¹⁴C]glycocholate in cholestatic liver disease was not due to high concentrations of bile salts, unconjugated bilirubin or fatty acids.