The changes in bile flow and its composition in sheep following liver damage by carbon tetrachloride

Sheep were prepared surgically in a manner permitting the measurement of bile flow by preserving its enterohepatic circulation. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was administered intraruminally in a dose 0.5 ml/kg b.w. After CCl4 administration a decrease in bile flow and bile acid excretion was observed. The decrease in bile flow observed after CCl4 administration was lower than the decrease in bile acid output. Thus it can be suggested that in this condition the effects of bile acid output on the bile secretion can be partially abolished and maintaining of relatively high bile flow is connected with an increase in the bile acid-independent bile flow. The increase of the bilirubin concentration in bile was observed after acute liver damage by carbon tetrachloride.