The physiopathological mechanism of cholesterol supersaturation in the bile was investigated by determining cholesterol-7-alpha-hydroxylase activity in 5 normal controls and 8 subjects with cholesterol gallstones. Bile lipids were also evaluated. Hydroxylase values were higher (though not significantly) in the controls. A linear correlation (r = 0.797) between the hydroxylase and bile acid concentration was noted in both groups.
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