We examined the effect of prolonged bile duct obstruction, and subsequent biliary decompression, on
biochemical and metabolic parameters, using a reversible jaundice model in male Fischer 344 rats. The
animals were studied after biliary obstruction for varying periods (4 days, one week, and two weeks) and
following decompression. They were sacrificed one or two weeks following decompression. All the rats
were compared to sham operated, pair-fed, controls. Obstructive jaundice rapidly increased bilirubin,
liver enzymes, serum free fatty acid, and triglyceride levels. Glucose levels were significantly decreased
in the jaundice rats compared to their pair-fed controls. Only after two weeks of jaundice was significant
hypoalbuminemia observed. Following decompression, all biochemical and metabolic values gradually
returned to normal levels, except for albumin. Hypoalbuminemia was not reversed within the two-week
post-decompression period. The rats jaundiced for two weeks had significantly higher mortality,
compared to the other groups. We conclude that prolonged jaundice adversely affects the metabolic
capacity of the rats, with albumin concentration being markedly decreased, and that biliary decompression
could not reverse completely all the alterations seen with cholestasis, especially following two
weeks of bile duct obstruction.
Rapid Decrease of Secretory Immunoglobulin A Serum Levels in Extrahepatic Obstructive Jaundice After Surgical Relief of the Bile Duct Obstruction