Effect of blood high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration on fecal steroid excretion in humans.

Daily excretion of fecal total bile acids and neutral steroids were compared in five controls and two patients with extremely low concentrations of plasma high density lipoprotein (3 to 11 mg/dl) and severe atherosclerosis. There was no significant difference in steroid excretion rates in the groups. The predominant bile acid excreted in control feces was deoxycholic acid; lithocholic acid was predominant in the patients. The patients showed no signs of significant liver disease.