Serum bile acid: an alternative liver function marker in the obstructive jaundice patient

to confirm the role of bile acid value as single marker for liver function test as compared to the conventional liver function tests on obstructive jaundice patients.

before and after study on severe obstructive jaundice patients was performed from December 2007 until January 2009. The liver function markers were measured before, 7th day and 14th day after bile duct decompression (BDD). Open Cholecystostomy as BDD was used as a model to observe the markers changes. Samples were collected by trained medical professionals and Automated clinical chemistry analyzer (ACA) TRX 7010 was used to measure the markers value. All continuous data were presented as mean (SD) and the variables were compared and analyzed by t-test and multiple measurements test using SPSS v.16 with a p-value of <0.05 considered to be statistically significant.

twenty one patients were included. All patients suffered bile acid accumulation and impairment of all conventional liver functions tests. After decompression, the average serum bile acid decreased significantly (p<0.05). Significant decrease after decompression happened to serum total bilirubin (p<0.05) and serum ALP (p<0.05). A trend towards improvement in coagulation function was evident by the shortening of PT and APTT. The albumin level increased slightly from 2.8 to 2.9 mg/dL while CHE activity was fixed at low level. A decrease in average activity of transaminase enzyme (AST (p<0.05) and ALT) was also observed.

the sBA level follow the pattern of changes of classic liver function markers. Serum bile acid could be considered to be used as alternative marker to evaluate liver function, which is simple and applicable.