Reversible cholestasis and cholangitis induced by biliary drainage and infusion in the rat

To develop a rat model of ascending cholangitis, we constructed a controllable and accessible biliary drainage and infusion system. We first modified a reversible cholestasis model of the rat and then induced ascending cholangitis by administration of Escherichia coli into the proximal choledochostomy tube. After biliary infusion of E. coli, the liver, choledochostomy tube and bile were all positive for E. coli, but no bacteria grew in rats receiving biliary infusion of normal saline. Retrograde cholangiography of the initial choledochostomy ensured that the tube end was in the right position in the proximal common bile duct. The patency of the tube-tube choledochocholedochostomy was confirmed by a cholangiogram on day 90. Thirty days after the tube-tube choledochocholedochostomy, the livers of the experimental animals did not differ from the control livers. The tube-tube choledochocholedochostomy model not only provides reproducible, reliable, reversible cholestasis, but creates a sustainable and accessible biliary infusion system. This can be used for long-term investigations of repeated cholangitis and recurrent cholestasis.