Effect of hepatic artery ligation in rats with chronic extrahepatic cholestasis

ABSTRACT

Because of the liver's dependence on arterial blood to exert metabolic functions in cirrhosis of the liver, this or without thrombosis of the portal vein, the interruption of hepatic arterial flow for the pallitive treatment of malignant tumors of the liver is counterindicated. However, the effects of arterial devascularization on the cholestatic liver are not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate hepatic alterations due to hepatic artery ligation in rats with chroni extrahepatic cholestasis. Serum alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase were measured in rats 3 h after sham operation (group A, N = 29) or ligation of the hepatic artery (group B, N = 29). Alamine aminotransferase activity was significanty higher (P < 0.05) in group B, demonstrating acute hepatocellular damage in animals with chronic extrahepatic cholestasis