Plasminogen activator in bile during extracorporeal perfusion of pig liver

Plasminogen activator activity was studied in bile and perfusate during extracorporeal pig liver perfusion. Plasminogen activator activity in bile was up to 58 times greater than in perfusate. A high level of plasminogen activator activity in bile was also found after the addition of urokinase to the perfusate. These results suggest that bile is the main route of active excretion of plasminogen activator and urokinase from the liver in experimental liver perfusion.