Effect of oat bran on lithogenic index of bile and bile acid metabolism

Epidemiological studies lend support to the hypothesis that high-fibre diets might prevent and low-fibre diets might facilitate the formation of cholesterol gall stones. In the present study, the bile compositions after ingestion of oat bran 18 g/day and placebo 18 g/day for 2 X 2 weeks were compared in a randomized, double-blind cross-over study in 6 healthy volunteers. The lithogenic index of bile was not influenced, whereas the following changes (0.05 less than p less than 0.10) occurred: the cholic acid pool was enlarged, the relative proportion of chenodeoxycholate in bile was increased and that of deoxycholate reduced, while cholate remained unchanged. It is concluded that oat bran seems to influence the metabolism of bile acids.