Metabolism of Bile Components during Hepatocarcinogenesis. I. Conjugation of Cholic Acid in Vitro in Experimental Liver Carcinogenesis.

ligation of the common bile duct. A fairly rapid decrease in in vitro conjugation was found in the livers of the animals fed ethionine, beginning 2 days after initiation of the diet and reaching a minimum value of less than 1 per cent of the control level within 10-14 days. The defect in conjugation persisted for as long as the ethionine was fed (34 days). The level of conjugation returned to the control value within 10 days after the ethionine was removed from the diet. A similar defect was not found in the livers of rats fed 3'-Me-DAB or 2-AAF under conditions which lead to the development of liver