The influence of diethylmaleate on the biliary excretion of infused sulphobromophthalein sodium and its glutathione conjugate in guinea-pigs.

Abstract

1. Hepatic sulphobromophthalein (BSP) transport was studied in guinea-pigs pretreated intraperitoneally with 0.7 ml of diethyl maleate to depress hepatic glutathione levels. 2. Diethyl maleate depressed the hepatic transport of infused conjugated BSP from hepatocytes into bile without influencing hepatic uptake. 3. Unconjugated BSP transport was also depressed markedly as a result of (a) a reduction in the intrahepatic conjugation of BSP with glutathione and (b) suppression of conjugated BSP excretion.