Bile flow and composition in preterm, term and infant baboons.
We studied the maturational changes in bile composition, bile flow and choleretic effects of sodium taurocholate and secretin in preterm (160 +/- 2 days, n = 4, group I), term (184 +/- 2 days, n = 4, group II), 7-day postnatal age (n = 5, group III) and 60-day-old (n = 5, group IV) baboons. The canalicular bile flow was determined by 14C-erythritol clearance.


RESULTS
Gall bladder volume increased from group I to group III (0.08 +/- 0.06 to 1.06 +/- 0.93 ml). Bile flow increased significantly from group I to IV (0.13 +/- 0.05 to 0.34 +/- 0.07 microliter/min/g liver weight, p < 0.05). This was associated with significant increases in total bile acid excretion (16 +/- 3.6 to 31 +/- 2.5 mEq/l, p < 0.05). The composition of bile also showed maturational changes with increasing postnatal age. Sodium taurocholate and secretin increased the bile flow significantly in all groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Data from these studies clearly demonstrate that the bile flow and bile acid excretion is immature in preterm and term baboons when compared to 7- and 60-day-old baboons. The present studies also suggest that baboons can be used as a model to study the postnatal maturation of hepatic excretory function.
Bhat
R
R
Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois, Chicago 60612, USA. Rama.Bhat@UIC.edu
Chari
G
G
Meller
J
J
Ramarao
S
S
Vidyasagar
D
D
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D001646:Bile / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000494:pharmacology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis*; D004896:Erythritol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009929:Organ Size; D010215:Papio; D011247:Pregnancy; D013656:Taurocholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D004573:Electrolytes; D013656:Taurocholic Acid; D004896:Erythritol