title: Large intravenous loads of bilirubin photoconversion products, in contrast to bilirubin, do not cause cholestasis in bile acid-depleted pigs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Large intravenous bilirubin infusions in bile acid-depleted pigs (BADP) destroy hepatocyte canalicular membrane microvilli (CMV) and cause cholestasis. This study examines whether bilirubin photoconversion product infusions do the same.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of systemic infusion of 135 mumol.kg-1 body weight bilirubin photoconversion products on CMV density and choleretic response to intraportal bile acid infusion were studied in BADP. Furthermore, the effects of 135 mumol.kg-1 b.w. bilirubin infusion, either through an arteriovenous bilirubin photoconversion shunt device (PCD) or intravenously, were measured in PCD-connected BADP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intravenous bilirubin photoconversion product infusions affected neither the CMV density nor the choleretic response to cholic acid infusion, and neither did bilirubin infusion through the PCD. In contrast, intravenous bilirubin infusion caused canalicular injury and cholestasis in four of six PCD-connected BADP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bilirubin photoconversion products do not destroy CMV or cause cholestasis in BADP. A bilirubin photoconversion shunt device can confer cholestasis protection to bilirubin-loaded BADP.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Ulleval Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bjłrnbeth
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Villanger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lyberg
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Raeder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001648:Bile Canaliculi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D019826:Cholic Acid; D002793:Cholic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002793:Cholic Acids; D019826:Cholic Acid; D001663:Bilirubin