Biliary Output Research Articles

The Effect of Protein-Calorie Malnutrition on the Developing Liver

The effects of protein-calorie malnutrition on bile salt metabolism and liver function were studied. Malnutrition was induced in rabbits by combining litters at 7 days of age (13-16 animals) and results compared to control litters (six-eight animals). At age 29-30 days biliary output from the common bile duct was measured directly for three 1-h periods: under basal conditions, and in response to intravenous infusion of exogenous glycodeoxycholic acid at 0.75 and 1.5 mumol/min/kg, respectively. The bile salt pool size was measured by isotope dilution. Final mean body weight and liver weight were significantly decreased in malnourished animals compared to controls. Liver weight/body weight was also less in the malnourished group. Total liver DNA and protein content, as well as the protein to DNA ratio, were less in the malnourished animals compared to controls. Bile flow and bile salt secretion were reduced in the malnourished group when calculated per kg body weight or per mg liver DNA. Bile salt-dependent flow did not differ significantly, but bile salt-independent flow was significantly less in malnourished animals. Bile salt pool size was decreased in the malnourished group. These findings indicate that malnutrition has a greater impact on liver weight than on total body weight in the preweaning period. In addition, malnutrition reduces bile flow, bile salt secretion, and bile salt pool size which, along with the decrease in bile salt-independent flow, may reflect either an impairment of hepatic uptake function or a delay in postnatal development.

Separate transport systems for biliary secretion of sulfated and unsulfated bile acids in the rat.

Biliary secretion of 3 alpha-sulfated bile acids has been studied in Wistar rats with an autosomal recessive defect in the hepatic transport of bilirubin. Liver function, established by measurement of various enzymes in plasma, by enzyme histochemical methods, and by electron microscopy, appeared to be normal in these rats. Serum levels of unconjugated, monoglucuronidated, and diglucuronidated bilirubin were 0.62, 1.62, and 6.16 mumol/liter, respectively, compared with 0.17, 0.08, and 0.02 mumol/liter in control rats. Biliary bilirubin secretion was strongly reduced in the mutant animals: 0.21 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.39 +/- 0.03 nmol/min per 100 g body wt in control rats. Despite normal biliary bile acid output, bile flow was markedly impaired in the mutant animals, due to a 53% reduction of the bile acid-independent fraction of bile flow. The transport maximum for biliary secretion of dibromosulphthalein (DBSP) was also drastically reduced (-53%). Biliary secretion of intravenously administered trace amounts of the 3 alpha-sulfate esters of 14C-labeled taurocholic acid (-14%), taurochenodeoxycholic acid (-39%), taurolithocholic acid (-73%), and glycolithocholic acid (-91%) was impaired in the jaundiced rats compared with controls, in contrast to the biliary secretion of the unsulfated parent compounds. Hepatic uptake of sulfated glycolithocholic acid was not affected in the jaundiced animals. Preadministration of DBSP (15 mumol/100 g body wt) to normal Wistar rats significantly impaired the biliary secretion of sulfated glycolithocholic acid, but did not affect taurocholic acid secretion. We conclude that separate transport systems in the rat liver exist for biliary secretion of sulfated and unsulfated bile acids; the sulfates probably share secretory pathways with the organic anions bilirubin and DBSP. The described genetic defect in hepatic transport function is associated with a reduced capacity to secrete sulfated bile acids into bile; this becomes more pronounced with a decreasing number of hydroxyl groups on the sulfated bile acid's molecule.

Triton WR-1339-induced changes in serum lipids and biliary lipid secretion.

Biliary lipid secretion rates were measured in fed rats after an intravenous injection of Triton WR-1339 (TWR, 60 mg/100 g body wt), an agent that inhibits lipoprotein removal from the circulation. Serum triglyceride, phospholipid (PL), and cholesterol (CH) concentrations rose within 3 h of TWR to 45, 6.6, and 10 times control values, respectively, at 24-36 h. Serum lipids fell rapidly at 48 h and were normal by 72-96 h after TWR. TWR did not alter bile flow, hepatic bile acid transport, or biliary bile acid output. Within 0.5 h of TWR, biliary PL and CH outputs fell greater than 70%, and taurocholate-stimulated biliary PL secretion was markedly reduced. Biliary PL and CH secretion rates were approximately 30 and approximately 40% suppressed, respectively, 24 h after TWR, 160 and 330% elevated, respectively, at 48 h, and normally by 72 h, despite normal taurocholate-stimulated biliary PL secretion. Biliary beta-glucuronidase secretion (a lysosomal enzyme) was unchanged for 3 h after TWR but was increased at 24, 48, and 72 h, independent of biliary lipid secretion. Thus TWR acutely dissociates bile acid from lipid secretion without impairing bile acid transport or biliary lysosomal discharge. Late changes in biliary lipid secretion relate closely to TWR-induced change in serum lipid metabolism but not to stimulation of biliary lysosomal discharge.

Sn-protoporphyrin blocks the increase in serum bilirubin levels that develops postnatally in homozygous Gunn rats.

Administration of Sn-protoporphyrin to Gunn rats that are characterized by a genetically determined absence of UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity for bilirubin, 24-30 h after birth, prevented the marked increase in serum bilirubin concentration that occurs in these animals in the postnatal period. A second administration of Sn-protoporphyrin at day 6 maintained serum bilirubin levels in the neonates at the initial level for an additional 6 d. In contrast, in untreated Gunn neonates, serum bilirubin levels increased substantially as expected during the immediate 2-wk period after birth. Studies in adult Gunn rats demonstrated that Sn-protoporphyrin administration diminished biliary bilirubin output, decreased tissue heme oxygenase activity, and did not alter hepatic cytochrome P450 levels. These findings raise the possibility that Sn-protoporphyrin may prove clinically useful in maintaining low levels of serum bilirubin in congenitally jaundiced individuals, such as patients with the Crigler-Najjar syndrome.

Regulation of biliary protein secretion in dogs.

The biliary secretion of protein in response to bile acids and other agents known to increase bile flow was examined in a chronic bile fistula dog model. Infusion of 25, 50, or 75 mumole/kg/hr sodium taurocholate after 3 hr of bile fistulization increased biliary protein output significantly by 52, 86, and 108% respectively compared to preinfusion values. A proportionate increase in biliary albumin output during taurocholate choleresis was demonstrated. Protein outputs during bile fistulization without taurocholate replacement were unchanged. The non-micelle-forming bile acid dehydrocholate markedly increased bile flow but did not change protein output. Similarly, the hormonal choleretics glucagon and secretin caused significant decreases in biliary protein concentration but no change in protein output. These data indicate a correlation between biliary protein secretion and bile acid-dependent bile flow. It is likely that regulation of certain proteins is dependent on the micelle-forming properties of bile acids.

Ursodeoxycholic acid choleresis: relationship to biliary HCO-3 and effects of Na+-H+ exchange inhibitors.

We have recently shown that substitution of Li+ for perfusate Na+ eliminates the HCO3(-)-rich choleresis produced by ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in isolated perfused rat liver and that the increase in bile flow produced by both UDCA and taurocholic acid is partially inhibited by 1 mM amiloride. Although these findings are consistent with a role for Na+-H+ exchange in the choleresis produced by these bile acids, both Li+ substitution and amiloride affect other cellular processes, including Na+-K+-ATPase activity. We have now further explored both the relationship between UDCA-stimulated bile flow and biliary HCO3- secretion and the possible role of Na+-H+ exchange in this process by comparing the effects of amiloride with two of its more potent and presumably more specific analogues, 5-(N,N-dimethyl)amiloride hydrochloride (DMA) and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIA). In the absence of inhibitor, UDCA increased biliary HCO3- concentration ([HCO3-]) up to an apparent maximum of 60-70 mM, and bile flow and biliary HCO3- output appeared to be linearly related over a sixfold range of bile flow rates. Amiloride, DMA, and EIA each produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of UDCA-stimulated bile flow and biliary HCO3- output with an apparent rank order potency (EIA greater than DMA greater than amiloride) similar to that reported for inhibition of Na+-H+ exchange in other systems. None of the inhibitors significantly altered biliary UDCA output or the relationship between UDCA-induced bile flow and either biliary [HCO3-] or biliary HCO3- output. Effects of these inhibitors did not appear attributable either to nonspecific toxicity, as reflected by hepatic release of lactate dehydrogenase or K+, or to inhibition of hepatic Na+-K+-ATPase, measured as Na+-dependent uptake of 86Rb. In contrast to their effects on UDCA choleresis, these inhibitors had little or no effect on basal bile flow, biliary [HCO3-], and biliary HCO3- output. These findings indicate that UDCA-induced but not basal bile formation is closely coupled to biliary HCO3- concentration and output, and they provide additional evidence that UDCA choleresis requires an intact Na+-H+ exchange mechanism.

The effect of methimazole on bile flow and bile acid secretion in the rat

The effect of methimazole on bile flow and composition was studied in male Wistar rats. Administration of methimazole as a single bolus (175–700 μmol/kg body wt) or infusion over three hours (1 μmol/100 g body wt/min) significantly increased bile flow and the biliary output of bile acids and inorganic electrolytes. Choleresis was a transient phenomenon and at the end of the experiments bile flow had returned to control values, although bile acid output was significantly lowered. When the amounts of bile acids arriving into the liver were increased by taurocholate infusion or decreased by cholestyramine pretreatment, a transitory enhancement was also found in bile flow and bile acid output, but the amounts of bile acid secreted and the choleretic effect induced were different according to the bile acid secretory rate found before methimazole administration. The bile acid content in the liver of taurocholate-infused rats was reduced during methimazole-induced choleresis. Our data indicate that the higher bile flow in methimazole-treated rats is related to an enhanced biliary secretion of bile acids probably due to a transitory stimulating effect on the transport into bile of the intrahepatocytary bile acid pool. The choleretic effect is not apparently shared by other thiocarbamide compounds.

Thyroid hormones and the hepatic handling of bilirubin: II. Effects of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on the apparent maximal biliary secretion of bilirubin in the Wistar rat

This study was undertaken in the Wistar R/A Pfd rat to investigate the effects of hypothyroidism and of hyperthyroidism on the maximal biliary excretion (Tm) of bilirubin and on the concentration and composition of bilirubin in liver and plasma at the end of a bilirubin load. Hypothyroidism caused a cholestatic condition with a 50% decrease in bile flow and in bilirubin Tm, and with an increased proportion of conjugated bilirubin in liver and plasma. This was associated with an increased ratio of bilirubin diconjugates to monoconjugates in bile, liver, and plasma, which can be ascribed to the increased hepatic conjugation activity towards bilirubin and/or to the prolonged retention of bile pigments in the hepatocytes with increased conversion of monoconjugates to diconjugates. Cholestasis induced by hypothyroidism was further characterized by a decreased biliary output of unconjugated bilirubin. The latter phenomenon might represent an indirect effect related to a decreased output of bilirubin monoconjugates with impaired hydrolysis to unconjugated bilirubin; it might also reflect the cholestatic condition with decreased excretion of the unesterified bile pigment as such. Hyperthyroidism resulted in a 1.3-1.4-fold increase in bile flow. The maximal bilirubin concentration in bile decreased 1.3-1.4-fold, so that the apparent maximal bilirubin excretion rate remained unchanged at 115 nmol.min-1.100 g-1, as observed in untreated rats. Hyperthyroidism lowered the bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity, produced a decreased ratio of bilirubin di- to monoconjugates in bile and plasma, and a decreased ratio of conjugated to total bile pigment concentration in liver and in plasma. Similar findings are present in the heterozygous Gunn rat strain and in patients with hepatic bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase deficiency. We therefore propose the hyperthyroid rat as an experimental animal model of Gilbert's syndrome.

Effect of chloroquine on biliary lipid and lysosomal enzyme output in the isolated perfused rat liver at low bile salt output rates

Chloroquine, when introduced into isolated perfused rat livers, caused a substantial output of cholesterol into bile, occurring after 30 min and peaking at 60 min, whereas the biliary output of acid phosphatase and β-glucuronidase increased only after 90 min. The origins of this bile-salt-independent cholesterol are discussed.

Effect of epidermal growth factor on growth and postnatal development of the rabbit liver.

The effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the postnatal development of the liver was examined. New Zealand White rabbits received 40 micrograms.kg-1.day-1 EGF from days 3 to 17 of age either intraperitoneally or orogastrically, whereas controls received saline. At days 18-20, animals underwent cannulation of the common duct using halothane anesthetic. Biliary output was measured directly for three 1-h periods: under basal conditions and in response to intravenous infusion of exogenous glycodeoxycholic acid at 0.75 and 1.5 mumol.min-1.kg-1, respectively. The bile salt pool size was measured by isotope dilution. Final mean body weight of intraperitoneal and orogastric groups did not differ from controls. Liver we weight, DNA, and protein content were significantly increased in intraperitoneally treated animals without morphological or biochemical evidence of fat deposition. Both intraperitoneal and orogastric EGF significantly increased bile salt secretion in the basal period and as a response to exogenous bile acid infusion. Bile flow was significantly increased in response to 1.5 mumol.min-1.kg-1 infusion of glycodeoxycholic acid. The bile salt pool was increased by both intraperitoneal and orogastric EGF. Administration of EGF resulted in a precocious development of glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2) activity in the liver. EGF had no effect on serum cortisol, corticosterone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, or free thyroxine levels. These findings suggest that in the neonatal period EGF can promote hepatic growth and maturation.

Biliary lipid secretion in the rat. The uncoupling of biliary cholesterol and phospholipid secretion from bile acid secretion by sulfated glycolithocholic acid

Glycolithocholic acid and its sulfated derivative are major metabolites of the secondary bile acid lithocholic acid in man. Both compounds are known to induce cholestasis in experimental animals. We compared the effects of these endogenous hepatotoxins on bile production and biliary lipid composition in rats with chronic biliary drainage. The compounds were administered enterally at relatively low rates (5–50% of the rats' endogenous bile acid secretion in these experiments) to simulate enterohepatic circulation. Both compounds were substantially secreted into bile (more than 90% of dose); sulfated glycolithocholic acid unchanged and glycolithocholic acid after hepatic hydroxylation predominantly in the form of glyco-β-muricholic acid (cf. Kuipers et al. (1986) Am. J. Physiol. 251, G189–G194). Neither glycolithocholic acid nor its sulfated derivative affected the biliary excretion of endogenous bile acids or bile flow in these experiments. In spite of this, phospholipid and cholesterol secretion were significantly reduced by sulfated glycolithocholic acid but were not altered by glycolithocholic acid. Phospholipid and cholesterol secretion rapidly decreased to 25 and 50% of their initial values, respectively, at biliary output rates of sulfated glycolithocholic acid up to 2 μmol/h, and did not further decrease when this output was increased to 6 μmol/h. Small unilamellar liposomes consisting of cholesterol, [ Me- 14C]choline-labeled phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and [ 3H]cholesteryl oleate in a 5:4: 1:0.1 molar ratio were employed to label intrahepatic lipid pools. Administration of sulfated glycolithocholic acid slightly reduced bile acid synthesis from [ 3H]cholesteryl oleate, but significantly reduced the biliary secretion of [ 14C]phospholipid. Glycolithocholic acid did not affect the hepatic processing of liposomal lipids. It is concluded that sulfated glycolithocholic acid at low doses causes the uncoupling of biliary lipid secretion from that of bile acids, which might represent an initiating event in sulfated glycolithocholic acid hepatotoxicity.

Enhanced biliary gamma-glutamyltransferase excretion following prolonged alcohol consumption in rats.

In order to study the question of whether chronic ethanol consumption may alter the biliary excretion of gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), female rats were pair-fed nutritionally adequate liquid diets containing either ethanol (36% of total calories) or isocaloric carbohydrates for 24 days. Compared to pair-fed controls, the administration of the alcohol-containing diet resulted in an increased biliary excretion of gamma-GT (5.84 +/- 0.73 mU 6 h-1 100 g-1 b.w. vs. 8.82 +/- 0.79, P less than 0.001). This was associated with a corresponding enhanced biliary output of total bile acids. An apparent linear relation between the biliary output rates of gamma-GT and those of total bile acids was observed both in alcohol-fed animals (r = 0.83) and in their pair-fed controls (r = 0.95). In addition, there was a significant increase of gamma-glutamyltransferase activities in the liver homogenate and in liver plasma membranes, both in fractions rich in bile canalicular and basolateral membranes and in those rich in blood sinusoidal site. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activities as well as serum bile acid concentrations were also enhanced by 96.8% (P less than 0.001) and 233% (P less than 0.001), respectively. These data show that chronic alcohol consumption enhances hepatic gamma-GT activities, leading to an increased efflux of gamma-GT into the bile and possibly into the blood out of the liver cell. Furthermore, these data suggest the involvement of bile acids with their solubilizing properties for the biliary excretion of gamma-GT.

Increased production, hepatic conjugation, and biliary secretion of bilirubin in the rat after chronic ethanol consumption

Disturbances of bilirubin metabolism such as jaundice or pigment gallstone formation, or both, occur in alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. We have studied the influence of chronic ethanol consumption on bilirubin metabolism as well as on biliary calcium and bile acids in 16 pair-fed male rats. The animals received nutritionally adequate liquid diets containing 36% of total calories either as ethanol or isocaloric carbohydrates for 4 wk. Bile flow was significantly enhanced after chronic ethanol feeding (p < 0.05 after 90-min bile collection) and was found to be mainly bile acid-independent. The biliary output and concentration of bilirubin monoconjugates, bilirubin diconjugates, and total calcium was significantly increased (p < 0.01) in alcohol-fed rats compared with controls. This was not the case for unconjugated bilirubin and for the calcium/bile acid ratio. Hepatic bilirubin uridine-5′-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase activity (p < 0.01), serum total bilirubin (p < 0.01), and serum free hemoglobin (p < 0.001) were significantly increased after ethanol consumption. These data provide evidence for enhanced bilirubin production, probably due to hemolysis, after alcohol ingestion. The enhanced bile production is associated with an increased hepatic conjugation and subsequent biliary secretion of bilirubin conjugates. In advanced alcoholic liver disease, these compensatory mechanisms may fail and contribute to the development of jaundice.

Output of lysosomal contents and cholesterol into bile can be stimulated by taurodehydrocholate

Although biliary secretion of phospholipids and cholesterol is principally dependent on bile-salt secretion, at low bile-salt output secretion of some lipids continues; also the amount of cholesterol secretion is more than that of phospholipid under these conditions, but the origin of this cholesterol is not known. Taurodehydrocholate was continuously infused in isolated perfused rat livers under recycling perfusion conditions and the biliary lysosomal output and lipid output measured. The rate of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase output increased 30-60 and 60-90 min respectively after liver isolation under these conditions. The rate of output of cholesterol and phospholipid increased in all the samples collected from taurodehydrocholate-infused livers. The increase in cholesterol output was approximately twice that of phospholipid output, leading to an increase in the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in the bile.

Toxic effect of streptozotocin on the biliary secretion of nicotinamide-treated rats

The effect of Streptozotocin (SZ) on bile flow (BF) and on protein and lipid biliary outputs were studied in rats with bile fistula. SZ was given i.v. as a single dose (50 mg/kg body wt.). Nicotinamide was administrated (500 mg/kg body wt., i.p.) 10 min prior to SZ. Decreases in BF and in biliary outputs of bile acids, proteins and acid phosphatase were observed in SZ-treated rats; conversely, the biliary excretion of cholesterol and phospholipids was increased. Nicotinamide pretreatment prevented the hyperglycemia induced by SZ and also suppressed the SZ-mediated increase of cholesterol and phospholipid biliary outputs, suggesting that they could be related to the diabetic state. The results also demonstrated a direct effect of SZ on BF and on the biliary excretion of bile acids and proteins. Since SZ is used clinically, and in experimental diabetes, the effects produced by this drug on the rat liver should be considered.

TISSUE AMINO ACID RESPONSES TO PARENTERAL NUTRITION

We have previously described significant differences in plasma amino acids, bile flow and biliary bile acid output between animals infused either glucose or glucose+amino acids. The present study was undertaken to determine liver, bile and brain amino acid responses to the infusion of these various nutrients. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (225-325g) were cannulated via the jugular vein and infused with either glucose (GLU) or glucose+amino acids (TPN) or were chow-fed (CHOW). After 5 days of the respective regimens, bile was collected for 4h, animals were killed and brain and liver obtained. The GLU animals received 164 (SD 7) kcal/kg/d, whereas TPN animals received 9.4 (0.5)g AA and 154 (8) kcal/kg/d. Both GLU and TPN animals lost weight and CHOW animals gained weight. In general, the tissue amino acid patterns were similar to those in plasma; most individual amino acids were different among groups in liver and bile whereas only threonine, valine and isoleucine concentrations were different among the groups in the brain. Essential to non-essential amino acid ratios (markers of protein nutritional status) were: 0.59, 0.51 and 0.36 in the plasmas; 0.18, 0.11 and 0.09 in the livers; and 0.29, 0.29 and 0.22 in the bile of TPN, CHOW and GLU animals respectively. The branch chain amino acids are actively accumulated in the liver from the plasma and then appear to be passively tranported down a concentration gradient into the bile. Thus, the amino acid responses to these nutritional manipulations indicate that tissues (primarily the liver) may be susceptible to the trophic and toxic effects of amino acids.

Effects of Na+ replacement and amiloride on ursodeoxycholic acid-stimulated choleresis and biliary bicarbonate secretion.

In these studies, we have tested the hypothesis that bile acid-dependent bile formation is attributable, in part, to the stimulation of active bicarbonate secretion and have further explored the cellular mechanism(s) possibly involved in this process using the isolated perfused rat liver. Under control conditions, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) infusion (3 mumol/min X 20 min) produced a 3.7-fold increase in bile flow and a 7.4-fold increase in HCO3- output. Amiloride (an inhibitor of Na+-H+ exchange) decreased UDCA-stimulated bile flow by 20.6% and decreased biliary HCO3- output by 24.9% but increased biliary UDCA output by 42.9%. Thus amiloride decreased UDCA choleretic efficiency (microliter UDCA-stimulated bile/mumol UDCA output) by 45% and UDCA-stimulated increase in HCO3- output per unit UDCA secreted by 48%. Substitution of Li+ for Na+ in perfusate virtually abolished (greater than 95% decrease) both the UDCA choleresis and increase in biliary HCO3- output but modestly decreased (39.6%) biliary bile acid output. Li+ substitution thus decreased UDCA choleretic efficiency by 98% and the UDCA-stimulated increase in HCO3- output by 96%. Amiloride had no effect and Li+ substitution produced a modest decrease in basal bile flow (26.0%) and HCO-3 output (33.5%). Neither amiloride nor Li+ substitution significantly affected UDCA uptake by cultured hepatocytes or by perfused liver. Amiloride (1 mM) also decreased taurocholate (TC)-stimulated choleresis by 48.5%, biliary TC output by 7.2%, and the choleretic efficiency of TC by 45%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bilirubin excretion into bile after partial hepatectomy in rats

Biliary excretion of bilirubin was studied in Wistar rats at different intervals following two-thirds hepatectomy. Endogenous bilirubin excretion was not significantly modified during liver regeneration. The maximal biliary excretion rate (Tm) of bilirubin, expressed per 100 g of body weight, significantly decreased immediately after hepatectomy with a recovery to presurgery values by 16 days. Values expressed per g of liver were significantly lowered only by 12- and 24h posthepatectomy. In these early periods there was a significant increase in the liver concentration of unconjugated bilirubin and a decrease in bile flow following bile pigment infusion. Maximal excretion of bilirubin in the rat seems to change parallel to the regeneration of liver mass except during the first 24h in which the inhibitory effects exerted by the high load of exogenous bilirubin would cause a decline in its own biliary output with an added cholestatic effect.

The effect of hypothyroidism and thyroxine replacement on hepatic and intestinal HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT activities and biliary lipids in the rat

Hepatic and intestinal cholesterol metabolism were investigated in the hypothyroid and thyroxine-treated hypothyroid rat. Plasma cholesterol levels were significantly increased in hypothyroid animals. After thyroxine administration, plasma cholesterol levels were reduced to levels observed in euthyroid controls. Hypothyroidism caused a significant decrease in biliary cholesterol output, which was reversed with thyroxine treatment. In contrast, biliary bile acid output was unchanged by the thyroid status. Cholesterol synthesis, as estimated by HMG-CoA reductase activity, was decreased in the liver of hypothyroid animals. Thyroxine administration, however, significantly increased reductase activity returning it to control levels. Hypothyroidism did not affect HMG-CoA reductase activity in the intestine, but thyroxine administration markedly stimulated the activity of this enzyme in this organ. Cholesterol esterification, as estimated by ACAT activity, was decreased in the liver of hypothyroid rats, while intestinal ACAT activity was greatly increased. Thyroxine treatment reversed these effects of hypothyroidism on ACAT activity in both organs. An increase in microsomal cholesterol content in the intestine of hypothyroid rats was associated with the observed increase in intestinal ACAT activity. The percent of cholesterol that was absorbed in the intestine was not changed by the thyroid status of the animal. The data suggest that the changes observed in cholesterol metabolism in hypothyroid rats or hypothyroid rats treated with thyroxine for 1 week cannot account for the increase in plasma cholesterol levels observed in the hypothyroid rat. This implies that other factors that were not studied, such as changes in lipoprotein catabolism, are likely to contribute to the hypercholesterolemia of hypothyroidism.

Changes in biliary secretion and lactate metabolism induced by diethyl maleate in rabbits

Diethyl maleate is a compound which binds with glutathione by means of a glutathione S-transferase and is excreted into bile leading to a rapid depletion of hepatic glutathione. In the rabbit, the activity of the enzyme is fairly low and we were thus prompted to study the possible effects of diethyl maleate on biliary secretion and metabolic status in this species. The administration of diethyl maleate induced a transient choleresis followed by cholestasis. The choleresis coursed with increases in the biliary output of sodium and unacounted anions, whereas those of chloride, bicarbonate and bile acids were unaffected. Our data seem to confirm that choleresis is due to the osmotic activity of diethyl maleate compounds excreted into bile, as has been reported in rats and dogs. The cholestasis observed coursed with falls in the outputs of sodium, chloride and bicarbonate though that of bile acids remained constant. Following diethyl maleate administration, a metabolic acidosis appeared with progressive increases of blood lactate concentration. In bile the concentration of this anion closely followed that of plasma. The cholestasis is attributed to a lowered biliary secretion of bicarbonate probably secondary to the metabolic alteration. The hepatic values of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial NADH/NAD ratios and of adenine nucleotide concentrations suggest that the increase in blood lactate results rather from a fall in its hepatic utilization that from an increase in its production.