An Improved Rat Model of Obstructive Jaundice and Its Reversal by Internal and External Drainage

Abstract

Background. A simple and reproducible rat model that allows studies of the reversal of obstructive jaundice (OJ) by internal (ID) and external (ED) drainage is not available at present.Methods. OJ was induced in rats by double ligation and division of the common bile duct. To minimize tissue handling and dissection the duodenum was extracted with a ophthalmic muscle hook and the common bile duct isolated using very fine forceps. One week after bile duct ligation, ID was accomplished by implanting a length of infant feeding tube between the dilated bile duct and the duodeum. ED was achieved by placing a PVC tube into the dilated bile duct and exteriorizing the other end at the nape of the neck.Results. Minimal adhesions were found around the dilated common bile duct, which made relaparotomy for drainage easy. Alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamytransferase were significantly raised after bile duct ligation. All parameters returned to control levels after ID for 7 days. In the ED group plasma albumin was significantly decreased and alkaline phosphatase remained marginally elevated.Conclusions. We have developed a simple and reproducible rat model that allows for the study of reversal of OJ by ID or ED. We also demonstrated that ID is superior to ED in reversing impaired liver function in OJ.