IMPAIRMENT OF BILIARY TRANSPORT AS A CAUSE OF SULFOBROMOPHTHALEIN RETENTION IN FASTING MEN

Twenty-four obese men fasted for 14 or 28 days. Forty-five-minute sulfobromophthalein (BSP) retention was significantly elevated (18.5 ± 2.2% = mean ± S.E.) as soon as 14 days after the start of fasting while alkaline phosphatase and transaminase (SGPT) values did not change. BSP transport was determined by a constant infusion technique in six subjects before and at the end of the fast. Control BSP transport maximum (Tm) and storage capacity (S) were normal. Five of these subjects had elevated 45-minute BSP retention during the fast and showed a significant decrease in Tm but no change in S. One subject had no elevation of 45-minute BSP retention and showed no change in Tm. Five subjects fed a general diet showed a return of the 45-minute BSP retention to control values. Seven subjects refed solely carbohydrate continued to have significantly elevated 45-minute BSP retention. These results are discussed in relation to a specific impairment in BSP transport induced by protein starvation. © 1969.