[Increase of acetaminophen conjugation ability in experimental cholestasis]

Acetaminophen glucuronidation ability and its relationship to hepatic microsomal phospholipid changes were studied during experimental extrahepatic cholestasis. This study included two groups of Wistar rats: 1) normal rats and 2) cholestatic rats. UDP-Glucuronyltransferase activity (UDP-GT) towards acetaminophen resulted increased in 38% (p < 0.05) in the cholestatic group when compared to normal rats. We also found important changes in hepatocyte microsomal phospholipid profile. When phosphatidylcholine fatty acid composition was analysed, all of them resulted diminished except for an increment on oleic acid content (36%). This fatty acid increase in the main membrane phospholipid had a parallel behaviour with acetaminophen glucuronidation activity. This fact could support an activation role for oleic acid over this enzymic system.