Hepatic mitochondrial changes in experimental obstructive jaundice complicated by biliary infection

The effects of biliary infection on the structural and functional changes in the liver in obstructive jaundice was studied using rats as experimental animals. Biliary infection with obstructive jaundice was induced in the animals by injecting Escherichia coli into the common bile duct through a nylon tube cannulated into the duct. This was followed by the clamping of the tube. For the controls, the tube was clamped in the absence of Escherichia coli. After 3, 7, 14 and 21 days, the animals were sacrificed, and some serum enzyme activities, histological changes in the liver, and the coupling efficiency of mitochondria isolated from the liver were investigated. The phosphorylating ability of hepatic mitochondria was more seriously affected when the obstruction was complicated by cholangitis. We suggest that, when associated with obstructive jaundice, biliary infection should be carefully treated prior to hepatectomy.