Influence of fever on biliary elements of guinea pigs

To study the influence of fever on biliary elements and gallstone formation in guinea pigs.

Sixty guinea pigs were randomly divided and fed either a lithogenic diet (to induce gallstone formation) or a normal diet (for use as the non-gallstone controls), and each group was then subdivided into fever or non-fever subgroups. The fever condition was induced by subcutaneous injection of boiled non-fat milk (1 mL/kg, once a week for 4 wk). After 45 d, all the animals were euthanized for analysis; however, 36 h prior to euthanasia, the guinea pigs in the fever subgroups were injected subcutaneously with turpentine (1 mL/kg) to maintain the fever condition. Gallbladder lumens were examined and bile samples were analyzed.

Gallstone incidence was highest (40%, 6/15) in the group of animals that were fed the lithogenic diet and had fever. Compared to the non-fever subgroups, the fever subgroups had significantly higher total bile protein and bilirubin.

Fever influences biliary elements and may contribute to gallstone formation in guinea pigs.