Serum bile acid concentration in some experimental liver lesions of rat

The usefulness of measuring serum bile acid concentrations by RIA in a number of acute experimental liver injuries of rats was assessed by comparing the concentrations with the results of some of the routinely employed methods of examining hepatotoxic changes. Centrilobular liver cell injury produced by CCl4 revealed leakage of GPT and GDH and to a lesser extent AP; along with minimal increase in serum bile acid levels. Serum bilirubin concentration remained unchanged. Surgical bile duct ligation resulted in marked rises in AP, GPT and GDH and total bilirubin levels and levels of serum bile acids. Intravenous injection of MnSO4 induced focal necrosis of liver and bile canalivular dilation associated with elevated GDH and GPT concentrations. AP and bilirubin levels were unchanged. Bile acid levels were raised among female rats. 2,4-Xylidine induced hepatotoxicity revealed bile duct hyperplasia, liver cell enlargement, liver cell necrosis, biliary canalicular dilation and proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum. GDH and GPT levels were raised along with bile acid concentrations. This study suggested that assay of bile acid concentration is a sensitive indicator of several acute hepatic injuries.