Effect of prostaglandin E1 on bile flow in the rat

The effect of intravenous administration of prostaglandin E1 on bile flow in the rat was investigated. PGE1 infused at concentrations of 4.5, 7.5 and 15 micrograms/kg body weight/min caused an initial increase in bile acid-independent bile flow rate which peaked within 30 min and was followed by a significant decrease (p less than 0.01) below the control value. However, PGE1 administered intravenously at an infusion rate of 15 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1 showed a significant decrease (p less than 0.01) in bile acid-dependent bile flow rate.