Portal flow and mitochondrial function during extrahepatic cholestasis

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to determine portal blood flow and mitochondrial and hepatic function during extrahepatic obstruction. Twenty-two male Wistar rats which had undergone bile duct ligation were compared 7 days later to 20 sham-operated controls. Portal flow and mitochondrial respiratory control ratio were reduced by 50% and 35%, respectively (P < 0.01), and serum alanine-aminotransferase levels increased significantly (P < 0.01) in the extrahepatic cholestatic group. These results suggest that cholestasis may cause an imbalance between the energy supply and the high demand of the liver leading to a state of partial ischemia