[Effect of pretreatment with bacterial endotoxin on erythromycin estolate-induced cholestasis]

The effect of acute and chronic endotoxin (LPS) treatment on the erythromycin estolate (EE) induced cholestasis, was studied using the isolated perfused rat liver. Addition of EE markedly reduced bile and perfusate flows in livers from control rats but did not alter these parameters in livers from endotoxin pretreated rats or in vitro treated with LPS. We suggest that changes in membrane organization induced by LPS may alter the diplay of EE toxicity.