This volume is a collection of the lectures and commu nications presented at the Nato Advanced Study Institute on "Liver, Nutrition and Bile Acids" held in Maratea, Italy, September 1983. The research areas covered by the Meeting are very wide, having to do with the liver and biliary pathophysiology, nutrition, gallstone disease and atherosclerosis prevention. Scientists from the major clinical and basic disciplines provided an update overview of the complex mechanisms regula ting the biosynthesis and catabolism of cholesterol and the formation and metabolism of bile acids. The NATO ASI has given the opportunity for thorough general discussions on problems of growing interest in medical sciences in the spirit of the NATO Meetings. This wealth of information is reflected in the present collection. We are grateful to all the contributors for the pre sentation of the results of their research. A particular thanks is addressed to Mrs. Brita Rolander Chilo of the Nutrition Foundation of Italy for her invaluable advice and for the organization of the Institute as well as for the editorial work. Giovanni Gall,i Enrica Bosisio v CONTENTS Coordinate Regulation of the Three Enzymes in Cholesterol Biosynthesis 1 Ajit Sanghvi Microsomal Cholesterol 7a-Hydroxylase Phosphatases.

Inhalt
Coordinate Regulation of the Three Enzymes in Cholesterol Biosynthesis.- Microsomal Cholesterol 7?-Hydroxylase Phosphatases.- Bile Acids and Cholesterol Absorption.- Regulation of Cholesterol Absorption in Humans.- Biochemical Methods for Serum Bile Acid Analysis.- Diagnostic Usefulness of Serum Bile Acid Determination in Liver Diseases.- Quantitation and Metabolism of Bile Acids in Hyperlipoproteinemias.- Effects of Lipid Lowering Diets and of Bile Acid Sequestrants on Plasma Lipoproteins and Biliary Metabolism.- Faecal Bile Acids in Health and Disease.- Bile Acids and Intestinal Pathophysiology.- The Therapy of Cholesterol Gallstones with Bile Acids.- Dissolution of Cholesterol Gallstones in Bile.- Bile Acids, Fiber and Cancer.- Intestinal Operations and Bile Acids: Their Effects on Adaptation and Carcinogenesis in the Gut.- Similarities and Differences between Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.- Liver Transplantation: After 20 years of Experience the Procedure Has Come of Age.- Effects of Inhibitors of Cholesterol Biosynthesis in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes.- Bile Acid Synthesis by Cultured Hepatocytes Regulation by Cholesterol Availability.- Maturation of Bile Acid Uptake in Freshly Isolated Hepatocytes from Fetal and Newborn Rabbits.- Sulfated Lithocholic Acid Conjugates and Cholestasis: Clinical Implications and Protecting Factors.- Abnormal Fecal Bile Acid Excretion in Cystic Fibrosis: Physiopathological Mechanism and Clinical Implications.- Effect of Chenodeoxycholic and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Treatment on Intestinal Microflora of Patients with Cholesterol Gallstones.- The Influence of a Lactovegetarian, a Vegan and a Mixed Diet on Colonic Function of Man: Preliminary Results.