The usefulness of measuring serum
bile acid concentrations by RIA in a number of acute experimental liver
injuries of rats was assessed by comparing the concentrations with the results of some of the routinely employed methods of examining hepatotoxic changes. Centrilobular liver cell injury produced by CCl4 revealed leakage of GPT and GDH and to a lesser extent AP; along with minimal increase in serum
bile acid levels. Serum
bilirubin concentration remained unchanged. Surgical bile duct
ligation resulted in marked rises in AP, GPT and GDH and total
bilirubin levels and levels of serum
bile acids.
Intravenous injection of MnSO4 induced focal
necrosis of liver and bile canalivular dilation associated with elevated GDH and GPT concentrations. AP and
bilirubin levels were unchanged.
Bile acid levels were raised among female rats.
2,4-Xylidine induced hepatotoxicity revealed bile duct
hyperplasia, liver cell enlargement, liver cell
necrosis, biliary canalicular dilation and proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum. GDH and GPT levels were raised along with
bile acid concentrations. This study suggested that assay of
bile acid concentration is a sensitive
indicator of several acute hepatic
injuries.