Taurocholate increases the biliary output of bilirubin pigments in the rat, due to haemolysis.
In order to investigate the effect of bile salts on the biliary transport of bilirubin, we infused rats with taurocholate at 1-3 mumol/min/kg body weight. When administered in saline, taurocholate induced haemolysis, and a dose-dependent increase in biliary excretion and serum concentration of all bilirubin pigments. The addition of human or rat serum albumin to the infusate, at an albumin:taurocholate molar ratio equal to or above 200, completely prevented haemolysis and the above-mentioned alterations in bilirubin transport, without any change in the bile acid output. In order to mimic a haemolytic condition, an erythrocyte haemolysate was further added to the taurocholate-albumin solution. This again resulted in an increased bilirubin output. We suggest that taurocholate treatment increases bilirubin output due to the increased load of the pigment on the liver, as a result of the bile acid-induced haemolysis.
Department of Medical Research, University of Leuven, Belgium.
V A
VA
Mesa
J
J
De Groote
J
J
Fevery
D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013656:Taurocholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D013656:Taurocholic Acid; D001663:Bilirubin