Changes in Biliary Lipid Concentrations in Bile Duct Obstruction: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Changes in biliary concentrations of bile acids, phospholipids and cholesterol and biliary pressures were measured in dogs. These parameters were studied during 7-day periods of partial biliary obstruction, of varying degrees, and after 24-hour and 48-hour periods of complete obstruction. The sample were obtained via an exteriorized but intact enterohepatic circulation allowing the introduction of varying degrees of obstruction and bile sampling. Biliary obstruction reduced the concentration of all biliary lipids especially when the obstruction produced pressures in excess of 75% of the maximum biliary secretion pressure. Only immediately after the release of a 48-hour period of complete obstruction did the risk of cholesterol supersaturation of bile occur. However, at that time there was a greatly reduced concentration of lipids in the bile and the amount of cholesterol that could potentially have precipitated was very small. It is suggested that this supersaturation would not play a significant role in the formation of gallstones.

Biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice enhances hepatic energy status in humans: a 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

“…Further study of bile at higher magnetic field strengths would be useful to determine not only which of the biliary constituents is contributing to the phosphorus spectrum 32 but also how the (phospho)lipid composition of bile may vary over the course of biliary obstruction and decompression. 33 Whatever the underlying biochemical explanation, it is evident that caution is warranted when interpreting changes in hepatic phosphoester resonances, and that these should be evaluated in relation to the clinical context.…”