Large intravenous loads of bilirubin photoconversion products, in contrast to bilirubin, do not cause cholestasis in bile acid-depleted pigs.
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.
Bjłrnbeth
B A
BA
Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Ulleval Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Villanger
O
O
Christensen
T
T
Lyberg
T
T
Raeder
M G
MG
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
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002793:Cholic Acids; D019826:Cholic Acid; D001663:Bilirubin