The origin of the bile coloring matters may be traced in part to destruction of red globules in the liver. Quincke has shown that in the hepatic capillaries in post-embryonic life the leucocytes englobe and destroy the old and worn out red blood corpuscles which thus become a source of bile coloring matter. Such destruction is specially likely to occur in badly maintained conditions of the blood, and in hepatitis or other liver disease in which the white cells accumulate in the hepatic capillaries, and when the blood current is retarded. Hence the liability to jaundice in such conditions. The formation of new red blood corpuscles has been observed in the protoplasmic cells of the liver in the embryo, but this has not been established for post-embryonic life (Neumann, Lowit).
The two common coloring matters of the bile are bilirubin which colors the yellow bile of man, omnivora, and carnivora and biliverdin which tints the dark green bile of herbivora. Bilirubin (C32H36N4O6) forms transparent fox red clinorhombic prisms. It is insoluble in water but soluble in chloroform, and may thus be separated from the biliverdin which is insoluble in chloroform. United as a second basic acid with alkalies it is soluble in water. It is easily obtained from the red gall-stones of man or ox, and is chemically identical with hæmatoidin. Biliverdin (C32H36N4O8) is an oxidized derivative of bilirubin and is insoluble in chloroform, slightly soluble in ether and freely soluble in water. In addition to its presence in bile it has been found in the placenta of the bitch. The test for bile coloring matter is made by placing a drop of the suspected liquid on a white porcelain plate and adding a drop of impure, brown, nitric acid (nitric and nitrous acids). If bile is present there is produced a beautiful play of colors passing from the green of biliverdin, through blue, violet, red, and ending in yellow.
With regard to the formation of bile pigments in morbid conditions it may be noted, that agents which dissolve the red blood globules (such as bile acids or water), when injected into the veins determine the appearance of bile pigment in the urine (Frerichs, Kuhne). When we consider that an animal (dog) secretes ¹⁄₅₀ of its body weight daily of bile, and that nearly all of this is re-absorbed from the intestines, we can realize this as an important source of bile and urinary pigments.
Of the bile acids, taurocholic is the most abundant in the bile of man, birds, and of many mammals and amphibians, while glycocholic acid is the more plentiful in the ox and pig. It is absent in sucklings. The taurocholic acid has been found to prove most destructive to red blood corpuscles, and in strong solution is distinctly antiseptic, checking the development of bacteria, of the alcoholic and lactic fermentations and of the tryptic and diastatic action of pancreatic juice.
These are conjugate acids, formed by the union of cholic acid with taurin and glycin respectively, and they are found almost exclusively, in combination with soda in the bile. They are found in the liver and do not accumulate in the blood when the liver has been removed. They increase under an albuminous diet.
The test for bile acid, is to take the suspected liquid from which all albumen has been precipitated, add a few drops of solution of cane sugar, shake into a froth, and pour sulphuric acid, drop by drop, down the side of the test tube. A reddish purple color appears in the froth, and shows two absorption bands at E and F. Any albumen left in the liquid will give the same color, but only one absorption band.
The secretion of bile is more abundant on animal than on vegetable food, and on albuminous than fatty. It ceases during hunger, but is increased by ingestion of water. Its solids are most abundant one hour after feeding. It increases under a copious and rapid blood supply, but is arrested by diminished blood flow, even under increased pressure (in ligature of the vena cava in front of the diaphragm). Vigorous exertion, drawing off blood to the muscles of the trunk, diminishes the secretion of bile, while transfusion of blood, up to a given grade of blood pressure increases it. Nervous conditions, which cause contraction of the portal vessels, increase the secretion by forcing more blood through the liver. Such are strychnia or other stimulation of the valve of Vieussens, of the inferior cervical ganglion, of the hepatic or splanchnic nerves, or of the spinal cord. Fever causes its arrest.
The secretion of bile is further stimulated by the following :
a. The ingestion of bile into the stomach and abdomen. This being absorbed and carried to the liver greatly increases the biliary secretion. It is not necessary that the bile shall be a product of the same genus of animal, the bile of the ox is an active stimulant of the liver of the dog.
b. Of medicinal agents the following increase and liquefy the bile: olive oil in large doses, phosphate of soda, salol, and salicylate of soda.