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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Determining Bile Duct Density in the Mouse Liver
Published on: April 30, 2019
Bile duct proliferation associated with bile salt-induced hypercholeresis in Mdr2 P-glycoprotein-deficient mice
Christian V Hulzebos1, Peter J Voshol, Henk Wolters
1Center for Liver, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Background/Aims:
Bile flow consists of bile salt-dependent bile flow (BSDF), generated by canalicular secretion of bile salts, and bile salt-independent flow (BSIF), probably of combined canalicular and ductular origin. Bile salt transport proteins have been identified in cholangiocytes, suggesting a role in control of BSDF and/or in control of bile salt synthesis through cholehepatic shunting.
Methods:
We studied effects of bile duct proliferation under non-cholestatic conditions in multidrug resistance-2 P-glycoprotein (Abcb4)-deficient multidrug resistance gene-2 (Mdr2(-/-)) mice. BSDF and BSIF were determined in wild-type and Mdr2(-/-) mice during infusion of step-wise increasing dosages of tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC). Cholate synthesis rate was determined by 2H4-cholate dilution. Results were related to expression of transport proteins in liver and intestine.
Results:
During TUDC infusion, BSDF was increased by approximately 50% and BSIF by approximately 100% in Mdr2(-/-) mice compared with controls. Cholate synthesis rate was unaffected in Mdr2(-/-) mice. Hepatic expression of the apical sodium-dependent bile salt transporter (Asbt), its truncated form (tAsbt) and the multidrug resistance-related protein 3 were upregulated in Mdr2(-/-) mice.
Conclusions:
Bile duct proliferation in Mdr2(-/-) mice enhances cholehepatic shunting of bile salts, which is associated with a disproportionally high bile flow but does not affect bile salt synthesis.
