Chenodeoxycholic acid synthesis in the hamster: a metabolic pathway via 3 beta, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5-cholen-24-oic acid.

The quantitative significance of the metabolism of 3 beta, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5-cholen-24-oic acid to chenodeoxycholic acid was evaluated in the hamster. A precursor-product relationship was established in this species by the finding that intravenous administration to an animal previously given cholesterol-4-14C caused a significant reduction in the specific activity of chenodeoxycholic acid. Administration of 12.9 mumole of the precursor was followed by a 10-fold increase in chenodeoxycholic acid excretion although the predominant excretory pathway was via biliary excretion as a monosulfate. The data indicate that synthesis of bile acid from cholesterol via the intermediate 3 beta, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5-cholen-24-oic acid can be a quantitatively important pathway.