Effects of Salmonella enteritidis Endotoxin on the Excretory Function of the Isolated Perfused Rat Liver

Abstract

SummaryThe LPS (Boivin type) from S. enteritidis caused dose-dependent reductions in bile secretion and excretion of ICG in the isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL). The transport maximum of BSP was also impaired by this endotoxin (Westphal type). Since two types of LPS preparations were used in these studies, the results suggest that the observed effects were a biological property of the endotoxin and not the result of contaminants left by one of the extraction procedures. This LPS had no effect on either the rate of perfusate flow or on the rate of aspartate aminotransferase release by the IPRL. These data have provided additional evidence that inhibition of hepatic excretory pathways is a biological activity of LPS and are consistent with the theory that impairment of hepatic excretion by bacterial endotoxins might play a role in the patho-genesis of the cholestatic jaundice seen during gram-negative bacterial infections.