Experimental study on lipid and bilirubin metabolism after biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice

The present experimental study was carried out to determine variations in bilirubin and lipid metabolism in obstructive jaundice after external biliary drainage alone and in combination with intraintestinal administration of the drained bile.

Variations in lipid and bilirubin metabolism were studied in adult mongrel dogs with obstructive jaundice treated by external biliary drainage (EBD) and EBD plus intraintestinal administration of autologous bile (IBD).

There was no difference between these two groups in regard to the volume of excreted bile after drainage. The biliary concentration and total daily excretion of bilirubin were higher in the IBD group (P < 0.0001), but there was no intergroup difference in the rate of decrease of serum bilirubin. In regard to lipid metabolism, the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein were decreased after biliary drainage; improvement in lipid metabolism was more rapid in the EBD group. Although the triglyceride level was lower after drainage, the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, the level of high-density lipoprotein 3-C, and the carrier protein apolipoprotein A-I were increased after drainage, with more rapid improvement in the EBD group.

To improve lipid metabolism in obstructive jaundice, external biliary drainage is superior in the early stages of treatment, while replacement by EBD plus intraintestinal administration of autologous bile may be advantageous in cases of prolonged use.