Hepatic biliary transport after hepatocyte transplantation in Eizai hyperbilirubinemic rats

The Eizai hyperbilirubinemic rat (EHBR) is a Sprague-Dawley mutant rat with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Eizai hyperbilirubinemic rats have impaired canalicular excretory transport of organic anions, bile acid glucuronide and sulfate. Eizai hyperbilirubinemic rats, with and without a 68% partial hepatectomy, were treated by an intraportal injection of 1 x 10(7) wild-type Sprague-Dawley mutant rat hepatocytes. Serum bilirubin concentrations decreased significantly after hepatectomy and intraportal injection. Biliary excretion was demonstrated by biliary transport of indocyanine and sulfobromophthalein into the bile. These results indicate that hepatic transport of bile acid conjugates in Eizai hyperbilirubinemic rats can be restored by hepatocyte transplantation in conjunction with the recipient's excretory biliary system.