Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis
Published on: February 10, 2015
Intrahepatic cholestasis during nicotinic acid therapy
1Division of Endocrinology, Lutheran Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44113.
Background:
Nicotinic acid, widely used to lower serum cholesterol levels, may rarely cause cholestatic jaundice.
Summary:
A 61-year-old white man with hypercholesterolemia complained of marked pruritus and became jaundiced after taking 3.0 g of crystalline nicotinic acid daily for 13 months. His total serum bilirubin level was increased at 144 mumol/L (8.4 mg/dL) and his alkaline phosphatase level was markedly elevated at 35.00 mukat/L (2100 U/L). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography failed to demonstrate an obstructive lesion in the extrahepatic biliary system, computed tomography showed no intrahepatic dilatation, and ultrasonographic studies of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas were normal; these factors all suggest intrahepatic cholestasis. Symptoms improved and liver function test results returned to normal within 51 days after stopping the drug.
Conclusions:
Nicotinic acid-induced cholestatic jaundice may not be as rare as previously thought, and physicians should observe their patients for it.
More Related Videos
10:48Probing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices via Laser Flash Photolysis of Photoactivatable Nicotine
Published on: January 25, 2019
04:14Incorporation of a Survivable Liver Biopsy Procedure in Mice to Assess Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Resolution
Published on: April 16, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
Cholecystitis