Abnormality of oral ursodeoxycholic acid tolerance test in the Dubin-Johnson syndrome.

Serial measurement of serum bile acid levels before and after oral administration of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was performed in 10 patients with Dubin-Johnson acid levels were significantly elevated in the patients compared with the controls (p less than 0.05). Oral UDCA tolerance studies revealed impaired bile acid clearance from serum in the patients and showed markedly increased serum bile acid levels 120 min after administration (p less than 0.01). These results indicate that some DJS patients have abnormal bile clearance which may be attributable to defects in hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of bile acids.