Abstract
Because acute obstructive cholangitis is life-threatening, understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease is required to establish a medical treatment. Experimental results indicate that obstruction of the bile duct itself does not induce acute cholangitis, but infection of gut-derived bacteria such asEscherichia coli into the bile triggers fatal septicemia, which leads to liver injury and renal failure. In obstructive cholangitis, functional changes in sinusoidal lining cells are often seen. Mediators produced by Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, and stellate cells may modulate inflammatory reactions especially in the periportal area of bile duct ligated animals. In addition, proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells is induced by bile duct ligation. Recently, nitric oxide has been recognized as an important mediator of multiple organ failure. Actually, when bile duct ligated animals are treated with endotoxin, metabolites of nitric oxide in blood and plasma increase, indicating that nitric oxide may take part in the pathophysiology of acute obstructive cholangitis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
