Experimental isovalthinuria. III. Induction by bile acids, and hypocholesterolemic agents

Some bile acids (dehydrocholic, cholic, chenodeoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, and deoxycholic acids), and some hypocholesterolemic agents (22, 25 diazacholestanol, 20,25-diazacholesterol, triparanol, and SKF 525-A) are the inducers of isovalthinuria in guinea pig. Administration of methionine appears to increase the pool of sulfur compound which participates in the formation of isovalthine. Cholesterol appears to have no enhancing effect on the induction activity of isovalthinuria inducers. The mechanism of isovalthine formation and the role of sulfur amino acids in lowering blood cholesterol are discussed.