The role of acinar zone 3 hepatocytes in bile formation: influence of bromobenzene treatment on bile formation in the rat

Abstract

The role of zone 3 hepatocytes in bile formation was determined when they were selectively destroyed by 3.8 mmol/kg b.w. of bromobenzene injected i.p. for 48 h, as compared to appropriate controls. Bromobenzene treatment resulted in 29 +/- 4.4% hepatic lobule necrosis localized in the zone 3 hepatocytes. Although bile flow and bile salt-independent flow were not affected, this treatment was associated with a significant reduction in bile salt, and phospholipid secretion. The bile salt pool and bile salt synthesis were also significantly decreased. These results suggest that necrosis of zone 3 hepatocytes induced by bromobenzene reduced bile acid synthesis which decreased bile salt pool and affected bile salt and phospholipid secretion rates. However, necrosis of zone 3 hepatocytes did not affect bile flow or the bile salt-independent flow, suggesting that hepatocytes of zones 1 and 2 maintained the normal bile salt-independent flow when zone 3 hepatocytes were damaged.