Comparison of the binding of various bile acids and bile salts in vitro by several types of fiber.

The binding in vitro of the sodium salts of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, glycocholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid by alfalfa, bran, cellulose, lignin, and cholestyramine was measured. Cholestyramine bound an average of 81.3% of all the bile acids and salts tested whereas cellulose bound only negligible amounts (1.4%). Of the other substances tested, lignin bound 29.2%, alfalfa, 15.9% and bran, 9.0%. No distinct pattern of binding was discerned. It is therefore apparent that the validity of statements concerning the effect of fiber on bile salf metabolism rests upon the specificity of the composition of the fiber involved and the bile acids or salts tested.