Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Isolation and 3D Collagen Sandwich Culture of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes to Study the Role of Cytoskeleton in Bile Canalicular Formation In Vitro
10:12

Isolation and 3D Collagen Sandwich Culture of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes to Study the Role of Cytoskeleton in Bile Canalicular Formation In Vitro

Published on: December 20, 2019

12.4K

Aluminum Exposure from Parenteral Nutrition: Early Bile Canaliculus Changes of the Hepatocyte

Amanda R Hall1, Ha Le2, Chris Arnold3

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2, Canada. arb743@mail.usask.ca.

Nutrients
|June 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Aluminum in parenteral nutrition (PN) may harm liver cells in neonates. This study found that higher aluminum levels in PN caused structural changes in piglet hepatocytes, potentially impairing bile flow.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) affects neonates requiring long-term parenteral nutrition (PN).
  • Aluminum (Al) contamination in infant PN is a concern.
  • Aluminum's role in PNALD pathogenesis is hypothesized but not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of aluminum exposure on hepatocytes in a neonatal piglet model.
  • To determine if aluminum in PN contributes to parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized control trial was conducted using Yucatan piglets (3-6 days old) receiving PN.
  • Two groups were established: high Al (63 µg/kg/day) and low Al (24 µg/kg/day).
  • Serum total bile acids (TBA) were monitored, and liver tissue was analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for bile canaliculus morphometry.

Main Results:

  • Piglets receiving high Al PN exhibited smaller bile canalicular spaces compared to the low Al group.
  • High Al exposure resulted in shorter microvilli in the bile canaliculi.
  • Serum TBA levels did not differ significantly between the high and low Al groups.

Conclusions:

  • Aluminum exposure in PN induces structural alterations in hepatocytes, specifically affecting bile canaliculi.
  • Shortened microvilli in hepatocytes due to high Al may reduce the functional area for bile excretion.
  • These structural changes suggest a mechanism by which aluminum could impair bile flow and contribute to PNALD.

Keywords:
aluminumcanaliculusexposureliverparenteraltoxicity

More Related Videos

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition04:53

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition

Published on: September 20, 2019

11.3K
Isolation of Primary Rat Hepatocytes with Multiparameter Perfusion Control07:35

Isolation of Primary Rat Hepatocytes with Multiparameter Perfusion Control

Published on: April 5, 2021

5.7K

Related Concept Videos

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
47.4K
Bile01:19

Bile

Bile is a crucial bodily fluid, characterized by its yellow-green color and alkaline nature. Produced in the liver, it is transported through the common hepatic duct into either the cystic duct, leading to the gallbladder, or directly into the common bile duct. The flow of bile is regulated by the sphincter of Oddi located at the entrance of the duodenum. When this sphincter is closed, bile is redirected to the gallbladder for storage and concentration.
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
4.4K
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
763
Routes of Drug Administration: Parenteral01:25

Routes of Drug Administration: Parenteral

The administration of drugs via parenteral routes allows for direct drug introduction into the systemic circulation, resulting in high bioavailability because the medication bypasses the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic metabolism.
The intravenous route (IV) of drug administration can be further categorized into two types. The bolus injection administers the entire dose rapidly, while an intravenous infusion slowly delivers smaller doses steadily.
The IV route is often...
3.0K
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route01:29

Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route

The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
1.8K
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition01:27

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
991