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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Creation of Reversible Cholestatic Rat Model
Published on: May 21, 2011
Effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on intrahepatic cholestasis in rats
Lanjuan Li1, Xiaowei Xu, Fangfang Lu
1Department of Infectious disease, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China. wuqun@mail.hz.zj.cn
Objective:
To investigate the effects of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on intrahepatic cholestasis in rats, and to explore its mechanism.
Method:
Rats suffering from intrahepatic cholestasis were treated with UDCA. Their serum alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), total cholesterol (TCH), bile flow, total bile acid excretion, total Na(+) and TCH of bile were measured before and after treatment. In addition, the changes of liver tissue under microscrope were observed and recorded.
Results:
Compared with the control group, serum ALT, ALP, TBIL, DBIL, gamma-GT and TCH of rats in the treatment group decreased, while bile flow, total bile acid excretion, total Na(+) and TCH decreased significantly. Degeneration of hepatocytes, infiltration of inflamed cells and proliferation of small bile ducts in the treatment group were improved under microscope.
Conclusion:
UDCA may have therapeutic effects on cholestatic hepatitis. The mechanism may involve in its hydrophilicity, choleretic effect and immune modulation.
