[Effect of cholestyramine and chenodesoxycholic acid on liver cirrhosis. An experimental study in rats]

The influence of cholestyramine and chenodeoxycholic acid on the induction of cirrhosis of the liver of the male Wistar strain rats was studied. The simultaneous dietary exposure of 1 g cholestyramine in 100 g diet prevented the development of cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. Whereas all the animals in the control group (CCl4-Exposure plus normal diet) developed cirrhosis, histologic examination showed cirrhosis in only 2 of 9 rats fed with diet containing cholestyramine. On the contrary, the exposure to chenodeoxycholic acid at a concentration of 1 g in 300 g diet potentiated the induction of cirrhosis. The experimental results support the clinical findings in which the administration of cholestyramine caused an improvement of liver function tests by cirrhosis.