Enhancement of biliary phospholipid secretion by diethyl maleate administration in the rabbit

The effect of diethyl maleate administration on biliary phospholipid secretion was studied in male New Zealand rabbits. Bile flow was significantly enhanced during the first 40 min following i.p. injection of diethyl maleate at 3.2 mmol/kg body wt., after which it decreased progressively to values half those of the controls at 2 h of injection of the chemical. Bile acid secretion was not significantly modified during choleresis but was significantly reduced from 60 min of diethyl maleate administration onwards. A significant increase in biliary phospholipid secretion parallel to that occurring in bile flow was observed in diethyl maleate-treated rabbits. Our data confirm the uncoupling previously described for the rat between bile acid and phospholipid secretion into bile during diethyl maleate-induced choleresis.