Influence of endotoxemia on hepatic energy metabolism in rats with obstructive jaundice

A secondary insult in patients with obstructive jaundice can lead to multiple system organ failure. We evaluated the influence of endotoxin on hepatic energy metabolism and hepatic tissue blood flow in obstructive jaundiced rats.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group, an endotoxin administration group, an obstructive jaundice group, and an obstructive jaundice with endotoxin administration group. To evaluate hepatic energy metabolism, we have measured arterial blood ketone body ratio, and arterial blood total ketone body concentration. Hepatic tissue blood flow was determined by laser Doppler velocimetry.

In the endotoxin administration group, no change was observed in hepatic energy metabolism. However, the obstructive jaundice group was associated with decreased hepatic tissue blood flow shortly after the outset of jaundice, while no change was observed in hepatic energy metabolism until 3 weeks later. In the obstructive jaundice with endotoxin administration, a significant decrease in hepatic tissue blood flow and an increase in hepatic energy metabolism were measured.

Endotoxin administration alone had no influence on hepatic energy metabolism, while endotoxin administration in the presence of obstructive jaundice results in a rapid decrease in hepatic energy metabolism. This occurred as a result of the secondary insult of endotoxin in the setting of decreased hepatic tissue blood flow caused by obstructive jaundice.