内皮素-1在大鼠肝肺综合征发病机制中的作用

目的 探讨内皮素-1(ET-1)在大鼠肝肺综合征(HPS)发病机制中的作用.方法 应用放免法检测HPS大鼠血浆和肝、肺组织匀浆中ET-1的水平.结果 ①HPS大鼠血浆和肝组织、肺组织匀浆中ET-1水平动态升高.②各阶段血浆和肝、肺组织匀浆中ET-1水平与谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、总胆红素(TBIL)呈正相关.结论 在HPS形成过程中,血浆和肝、肺组织匀浆中ET-1水平持续升高,与肝功能损害有关,提示ET-1可能参与HPS的发生.肺组织匀浆中升高的ET-1可能更多地通过与在肺血管表达增强的内皮素受体B(ETRB)结合从而扩张肺血管.     

Evaluation of CMU-1 preservation solutions using an isolated perfused rat liver model

AIM: CMU-1 is a new preservation solution with a low potassium concentration as well as low viscosity that is highly effective in reducing preservation injury. The purpose of this experiment is to compare the protective effect of CMU-1 solution with that of UW during cold preservation and normothermic reperfusion. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to different preservation solution: CMU-1 group and UW group. After 6, 12 and 24 h cold storage of rat liver in different preservation solutions, the isolated perfused rat liver model was applied to reperfuse the liver for 120 min normothermically (37 癈) with Krebs-Henseleit solution, meanwhile the pH value of the preservation solution was measured. The perfusate was sampled for the evaluation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). At the end of the reperfusion, all of the bile product was collected, energy metabolic substrate and histological examination were performed. RESULTS: After preserving for 6 h, pH value of both groups did not change; after 12 h, both decreased but with no significant difference. After 24 h, pH value in UW solution group significantly decreased. The total adenine nucleotides level and AEC in liver tissue decreased with preservation time, but they were higher in CMU-1 group. And the amount of bile product after perfusion for 120 min in CMU-1 group was much more than that in UW group. However, there were no significant differences in ALT and LDH levels between two groups. Histology showed no difference. CONCLUSION: The preservation effect of CMU-1 solution is similar with that of UW solution. However, CMU-1 solution shows some advantages over UW solution in energy metabolism, preventing intracellular acidosis and bile product.     

Effects of glycine on plasma and liver tissue changes of TNF-α,ET-1 and nitric oxide contents in rats with obstructive jaundice

AIM: To evaluate the effect of glycine on plasma and liver tissue changes of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) contents in rats with obstructive jaundice.METHODS: Ninety healthy Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 275±25 g were randomly divided into sham-operated, bile duct-ligated, and bile duct-ligated plusglycine-treated groups, the latter was performed with 5 % glycine solution substituting for tap water drunk adlibiumfor 5 days before and 6 days after operation. Blood and liver tissue were sampled at the time of sacrifice on the 8^th day post operation. Plasma total bilirubin, endotoxin, levels,as well as TNF-~, ET-1 and NO contents in liver tissue were determined.RESULTS: Plasma endotoxin and total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in both bile duct-ligated and bile ductligated plus glycine-treated rats than in sham-operated animals (P=0.000613, 0.00921 and 0.00737, 0.00841 respectively), whereas they did not display any statistically significant difference between the former groups (P=0.417 and 0.374 respectively). Likewise, TNF-α, ET-1 and NO contents in both plasma and liver tissue were significantly increased in both bile duct-ligated and bile duct-ligated plus glycine-treated rats compared with sham-operated animals (P=-0.00813, 0.00793, 0.00671, 0.00804, 0.00872, and 0.00947 in plasma and 0.00531, 0.00785, 0.00912, 0.00981 and 0.00635 in liver tissue respectively). However, these inflammatory mediators in both plasma and liver tissue were significantly reduced in bile duct-ligated rats fed on 5 % glycine solution compared with that without (P=0.00953,0.00891, 0.0795, 0.00867, 0.0697 and 0.00907 in plasma and liver tissue respectively).CONCLUSION: Reduction of TNF-α, ET-1 and NO contents in plasma and liver tissue of rats fed on glycine may be helpful to alleviate pathological lesions in obstructive jaundice.     

Effects of glycine on plasma and liver tissue changes of TNF-α,ET-1 and nitric oxide contents in rats with obstructive jaundice

AIM: To evaluate the effect of glycine on plasma and liver tissue changes of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) contents in rats with obstructive jaundice.METHODS: Ninety healthy Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 275±25 g were randomly divided into shamoperated, bile duct-ligated, and bile duct-ligated plus glycine-treated groups, the latter was performed with 5 %glycine solution substituting for tap water drunk ad libium for 5 days before and 6 days after operation. Blood and liver tissue were sampled at the time of sacrifice on the 8th day post operation. Plasma total bilirubin, endotoxin, levels,as well as TNF-α, ET-1 and NO contents in liver tissue were determined.RESULTS: Plasma endotoxin and total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in both bile duct-ligated and bile ductligated plus glycine-treated rats than in sham-operated animals (P=0.000613, 0.00921 and 0.00737, 0.00841respectively), whereas they did not display any statistically significant difference between the former groups (P=0.417and 0.374 respectively). Likewise, TNF-α, ET-1 and NO contents in both plasma and liver tissue were significantly increased in both bile duct-ligated and bile duct-ligated plus glycine-treated rats compared with sham-operated animals (P=-0.00813, 0.00793, 0.00671, 0.00804, 0.00872, and 0.00947 in plasma and 0.00531, 0.00785, 0.00912, 0.00981and 0.00635 in liver tissue respectively). However, these inflammatory mediators in both plasma and liver tissue were significantly reduced in bile duct-ligated rats fed on 5 %glycine solution compared with that without (P=0.00953,0.00891, 0.0795, 0.00867, 0.0697 and 0.00907 in plasma and liver tissue respectively).CONCLUSION: Reduction of TNF-α, ET-1 and NO contents in plasma and liver tissue of rats fed on glycine may be helpful to alleviate pathological lesions in obstructive jaundice.     

Endothelin-1 modulates intrahepatic resistance in a rat model of noncirrhotic portal hypertension.

Factors that increase resistance to blood flow through the hepatic sinusoids when portal hypertension occurs in the absence of significant hepatic fibrosis are not completely understood. Experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that endothelin-1 (ET-1) is one of the humoral factors that increases sinusoidal vascular resistance in a bile duct- ligated noncirrhotic portal hypertensive (BDL) rat. The effect of ET-1 and nitric oxide (NO) on contractility of rings of portal vein taken from BDL rats was tested. The effect of ET-1 and NO on intrahepatic resistance in an isolated perfused liver was studied, and localization of ET-1 in the liver was identified by immunohistochemistry. Portal vein rings in BDL rats showed increased maximal tension in response to ET-1, as well as a shift of the dose-response curve to the left as compared with sham-operated animals. Removal of the endothelium further increased contractility. In isolated perfused liver studies, ET-1 increased portal resistance in both sham operated and BDL rats. The endothelin Type A receptor antagonist BQ 123 lowered the high portal resistance in BDL rats to levels comparable with sham operated animals. Infusion of L-arginine lowered resistance to a much smaller extent. In livers from BDL rats, ET-1 was localized in periportal and pericentral hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoidal cells. We conclude that in a BDL model of portal hypertension where distortion of hepatic architecture by fibrosis is minimal, increased resistance to portal blood flow may be mediated by ET-1.     

不同治则中药复方对胆汁淤积性肝纤维化大鼠PAI-1影响的研究

目的:观察补益肝肾、活血化瘀方剂二至丸、失笑散及其组合对胆汁淤积性肝纤维化大鼠肝组织PAI-1mRNA的影响。方法:采用胆管结扎复制胆汁淤积性肝纤维化模型。术后1周,造模组随机分模型组、优思弗、二至丸、失笑散及合方组;各药物干预组分别给予相应药物灌胃,模型组和假手术组给予等量生理盐水灌胃,至4周末处死全部动物取材。观察内容包括一般情况、肝功能(ALT、AST、ALP、TBil)、肝组织病理、PAI-1mRNA表达。结果:与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠ALT、AST、ALP、TBil、纤维化程度均显著升高;与模型组比较,3个复方均能降低胆汁淤积性肝纤维化大鼠血清ALP、ALT、AST水平(P<0.01),失笑散及合方能降低TBil(P<0.01);合方改善ALP、ALT优于两个单方。3个复方均能不同程度地减轻模型大鼠肝纤维化程度(P<0.01),合方优于两个单方。优思弗能降低ALT、AST水平,但对肝脏纤维化无明显改善作用。与模型组比较,失笑散组、二至丸组及合方组PAI-1mRNA表达显著降低(P<0.01),3个中药复方组之间比较,合方组最低,二至丸组次之,再次为失笑散组。结论:补益肝肾和活血化瘀中药复方二至丸、失笑散及其组合均不同程度地干预胆汁淤积性肝纤维化形成的作用,合方作用优于两个单方,其机制可能与调控PAI-1mRNA表达有关;不同治则的中药复方对PAI-1mRNA调控的强度不同。     

INDUCTION OF ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE IN LIVER AND GASTRO-INTESTINAL TRACT

Experiments were designed to determine whether the increased rate of ethanol clearance previously demonstrated in alcoholics, in normal humans and in rats following prolonged alcohol ingestion is due to an increase in activity of enzymes involved in its metabolism. Alcohol was given in various doses to 56 rats, and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) assayed in liver, bile, colon, stomach and small intestine. Results were compared with 13 controls and rats given either actinomycin D or cycloheximide. Results of our experiments clearly show that the activity of ADH and LDH in liver, stomach and small intestine significantly increases with administration of single and repeated doses of alcohol, and the effect persists for a significant time. The effect of alcohol appears to be specific, as increased activity in enzymes not involved in its metabolism was not found. Increased ADH activity could be blocked by actinomycin and cycloheximide which suggests that alcohol induced de novo synthesis of this enzyme protein. The increase in activity of the rate-limiting enzyme, ADH, by its substrate ethanol, provides a plausible explanation for the observed tolerance in both rats and man conditioned by prior administration of alcohol. The increase in LDH, a terminal enzyme involved in ethanol metabolism, provides further indirect evidence that ethanol can be metabolized at a faster rate through the normal pathway. The finding of both ADH and LDH in significant amounts in stomach and small intestine in both normal and alcohol-fed rats suggests that ethanol can be metabolized to a significant extent in extrahepatic sites. This is contrary to the current view that alcohol is metabolized entirely by the liver, and that the multiple metabolic derangements in the alcoholic are the consequence of its obligatory metabolism in that organ.     

Stimulation of choleresis by insulin-like growth factor-I in rats

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is an endogenous growth factor which is mainly produced in the liver. The functions of IGF-I can be summarized as growth-promoting and insulin-like metabolic actions. In the present study, the effect of IGF-I on bile flow and bile acid secretion was investigated in rats. In normal rats bile flow was significantly increased by single exogenous administration of IGF-I, and by 1 week treatment of IGF-I, both bile flow and bile acid secretion were significantly increased. Moreover, to further understand the relationship between IGF-I and bile acid secretion, hypophysectomized rats were next used. We found that the decreases in bile flow and bile acid secretion observed in rats after hypophysectomy, as well as the decrease in the endogenous level of IGF-I in the blood, were partially reversed by 1 week exogenous IGF-I treatment. Overall, this study showed that IGF-I stimulates choleresis associated with an elevation of bile acid secretion in both normal and hypophysectomized rats when exogenously administered, suggesting the importance of IGF-I in the stimulation of choleresis in vivo.     

Biliary excretion of digitoxin and its metabolites in young and old male wistar rats

The biliary excretion of digitoxin (Dt3) and its metabolites were compared between young (3-month-old) and old (25-month-old) male Wistar rats after an iv injection of [³H]Dt3 (0.03mg/100g body weight) for 2 hrs. The 2-hr. total biliary recovery of iv injected radioactivity (percent of the dose) was two times lower in old rats (7.40 ± 1.36% mean ± SD) compared with young rats (14.74 ± 4.10%). This difference was primarily due to the decrease in the excretion of Dt3 metabolites in the bile, while the excretion of the parent drug, Dt3 was 1.3 times higher in old rats. Among various Dt3 metabolites in the bile, digitoxigenin bis-digitoxoside (Dt2), digoxigen bis-digitoxoside (Dg2), and polar (conjugated) metabolites were major components, which all decreased with age. In accord with the decreased excretion of the radioactivity in the bile of old rats, the plasma disappearance of radioactivity was generally slower in old animals compared with young ones, yielding significantly higher plasma levels at different times of observation. Despite the increase in plasma radioactivity, the radioactivity concentration in the liver 2 hrs. after the injection was almost equal between the two age groups. It is suggested that at least in this rat strain and sex the biliary excretion of Dt3 metabolites was markedly age-dependent, presumably due to the decreased capacity of the liver to biotransform Dt3 with age. Furthermore, the lower liver plasma radioactivity ratio in old animals suggested the possibility that the distribution of Dt3 in the liver may also decrease with age.     

Measurement of growth hormone and prolactin receptor turnover in rat liver

To study the rate of disappearance of GH and PRL receptors in the livers of rats treated with cycloheximide, a technique has been devised for multiple sampling from the liver of each anesthetized rat. In rats treated with cycloheximide (1 or 5 mg/kg, iv), binding sites for both bovine GH and ovine PRL disappeared following first order kinetics over the 2-h sampling period. The half-time for the GH receptor was 30-40 min, equivalent to a rate constant of approximately 0.02 min-1. The half-time for the PRL receptor was 40-50 min, equivalent to a rate constant of approximately 0.015 min-1. At 0.1 mg/kg cycloheximide, slower disappearance rates were seen for both receptors, and the GH receptor showed a partial recovery. Over the same period, binding sites for insulin were unaltered at any cycloheximide dose. Assuming cycloheximide acts simply to inhibit new receptor synthesis, these rates represent the turnover time for GH and PRL receptors in rat liver.     

Adiponectin and its receptors in rodent models of fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION Obesity and especially visceral fat accumulation cause insulin resistance, a common risk factor for hepatic steatosis. Fatty liver is thought to represent the first step towards the subsequent development of liver fibrosis. Impaired mitochond…     

Reduced activity of the electron transport chain in liver mitochondria isolated from rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis.

Mitochondrial metabolism was studied in liver mitochondria isolated from rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis induced by bile duct ligation for 5 wk. State 3 oxidation rates were decreased in mitochondrial preparations from bile duct-ligated rats as compared with sham-operated control rats by 63% and 42% using beta-hydroxybutyrate and succinate as substrates, respectively. In contrast, when the substrate was ascorbate/N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine state 3 oxidation rates were not affected by bile duct ligation. Oxidation rates after uncoupling with dinitrophenol were decreased for both beta-hydroxybutyrate and succinate as substrates in mitochondria from bile duct-ligated rats. The phosphate potential was reduced in mitochondria from bile duct-ligated rats (12.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 13.6 +/- 0.2 kcal in control and bile duct-ligated rats, respectively; p less than 0.05). The inner mitochondrial membrane of liver mitochondria from rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis contained three times more cholesterol as compared with control rats, whereas the phospholipid composition was essentially unchanged. Mitochondrial protein content expressed per liver (calculated on the basis of activities of mitochondrial enzymes determined in liver homogenate and in isolated mitochondria) was increased by 50% in bile duct-ligated rats as compared with control rats. In conclusion, the function of the electron transport chain in liver mitochondria isolated from rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis is impaired. This decrease could be related to altered lipid composition of the inner mitochondrial membrane.     

Effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in fibrotic liver of rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of Danshao Huaxian (DSHX) capsules, a preparation of traditional Chinese medicine, on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the fibrous livers of rats. METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (group A), CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis group (group B), non-DSHX-treated group (group C), low dose-treated group (group D), and high dose-treated group (group E). Fibrous liver models in rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4, oral administration of alcohol and high-lipid/low-protein diet for 8 wk. After the models were established, the rats in groups D and E were orally given a low dose (0.5 g/kg) and a high dose (1.0 g/kg) of DSHX daily for 8 wk, respectively. Then, the liver indexes, serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were examined. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by optical microscopy. Hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the urine was determined, and the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 was detected by immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: In groups D and E, the liver indexes, levels of serum HA and ALT reduced and development of hepatic fibrosis weakened significantly. The urinary Hyp and expression of MMP-1 in the liver tissues elevated, but the expression of TIMP-1 decreased obviously, as compared to groups B and C. CONCLUSION: DSHX enhances the expression of MMP-1 but decreases that of TIMP-1 in liver tissues of CCl4-induced hepatic fibrotic rats, which may result in its elevated activity that contributes to fighting against hepatic fibrosis.     

Cyclin B1基因在大鼠肝癌组织中的表达及意义

目的 探讨Cyclin B1基因在大鼠肝癌组织中的表达及意义.方法 实验组为15只腹腔注射黄曲霉毒素B1诱发形成肝癌的大鼠,在诱癌第13、33、53周行肝活检取肝组织,第73周处死全部大鼠取肝组织.采用Q-PCR、Western blot和免疫组化方法检测其肝组织中Cyclin B1 mRNA和蛋白的表达.对照组为10只腹腔注射等量溶媒DMSO大鼠,研究方法同上.结果 实验组第73周的肝组织Cyclin B1 mRNA表达明显高于其他时间点和对照组（P均＜0.05）.实验组第53、73周的肝组织Cyclin B1蛋白表达阳性率高于其他时间点和对照组,第53、73周表达比较有统计学差异（P均＜0.05）.结论 在肝癌发生过程中,Cyclin B1表达随肝癌形成而升高,且在肝癌组织中表达最高,Cyclin B1基因可能是参与肝癌发生的关键基因之一.     

Quercetin protects liver injury induced by bile duct ligation via attenuation of Rac1 and NADPH oxidase1 expression in rats

BACKGROUND:Bile duct ligation (BDL) and subsequent cholestasis are correlated with oxidative stress,hepatocellular injury and fibrosis.Quercetin is a flavonoid with antifibrotic,and hepatoprotective properties.However,the molecular mechanism underlying quercetin-mediated hepatoprotection is not fully understood.The current study was to evaluate mechanisms of hepatoprotective effect of quercetin in BDL rat model.METHODS:We divided male Wistar rats into 4 groups (n=8 for each):sham,sham+quercetin (30 mg/kg per day),BDL,and BDL+quercetin (30 mg/kg per day).Four weeks later,the rats were sacrificed,the blood was collected for liver enzyme measurements and liver for the measurement of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 mRNA and protein levels by quantitative PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS:Quercetin significantly alleviated liver injury in BDL rats as evidenced by histology and reduced liver enzymes.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein expression of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 were significantly increased in BDL rats compared with those in the sham group (P＜0.05);quercetin treatment reversed these variables back toward normal (P＜0.05).Another interesting finding was that the antioxidant markers e.g.superoxide dismutase and catalase were elevated in quercetin-treated BDL rats compared to BDL rats (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Quercetin demonstrated hepatoprotective activity against BDL-induced liver injury through increasing antioxidant capacity of the liver tissue,while preventing the production of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 proteins.     

Heme oxygenase-1 overexpression increases liver injury after bile duct ligation in rats

AIM： To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） against oxidant-induced injury caused by bile duct ligation （BDL）.

METHODS： Either cobalt protoporphyrin （CoPP）, a HO-1 inducer, or saline were injected intraperitoneally in male SD-rats. Three days later, BDL or sham-operations were performed. Rats were sacrificed 3 wk after BDL and livers were harvested for histology. Fibrosis was evaluated by sirius red staining and image analysis. Alpha-smooth muscular actin, which indicates activation of stellate cells, was detected by immunohistochemical staining, and q/tokine and collagen- Iα （Col- I α） mRNA expression was detected using RNase protection assays.
RESULTS： Serum alanine transaminase increased 8-fold above normal levels one day after BDL. Surprisingly, enzyme release was not reduced in rats receiving CoPP. Liver fibrosis was evaluated 3 wk after BDL and the sirius red-positive area was found to be increased to about 7.8%. However, in CoPP pretreated rats sirius redpositive areas were increased to about 11.7% after BDL. Collagen-1 α and TGF-β mRNA increased significantly by BDL. Again, this effect was increased by HO-1 overexpression.
CONCLUSION： Hepatic fibrosis due to BDL is not reduced by the HO-1 inducer CoPP. In contrast, HO-1 overexpression increases liver injury in rats under conditions of experimental chronic cholestasis.     

Free Radical Formation in Livers of Rats Treated Acutely and Chronically with Alcohol

The spin trapping method was used to assess formation of free radical intermediates in vivo before and after acute alcohol administration to rats. Ascorbyi radicals and spin adducts of dietary alcohol or endogenous compounds, such as lipids, were detected with higher frequency in bile from alcohol-fed rats than in corresponding samples from rats fed control diets. When alcohol was given acutely to these animals, the 1-hydroxyethyl radical metabolite of ethanol was also formed at higher rates in livers of rats that had been fed ethanol chronically. Furthermore, formation of lipid radicals was enhanced after acute alcohol administration. These data support the hypothesis that chronic alcohol administration causes development of oxi-dative conditions in the liver, which subsequently lead to formation of differing types of radicals. Liver microsomes from alcohol-fed rats also metabolized ethanol to the 1-hydroxyethyl radical at higher rates than controls.     

罗格列酮对免疫性肝纤维化大鼠肝组织IGF-1表达的影响

目的探讨免疫性肝纤维化大鼠肝组织中胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)的表达变化,并观察罗格列酮对其的影响。方法应用猪血清腹腔注射诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型,适时给予罗格列酮干预。采用ELISA法检测血清IGF-1水平和免疫组织化学法检测肝组织IGF-1的表达。结果与对照组相比,第4、6、8周模型组大鼠血清及肝组织IGF-1水平均显著升高(P<0.05);与模型组相比,8周罗格列酮组大鼠纤维化程度减轻(P<0.01),血清及肝组织IGF-1表达水平降低(P<0.01)。结论随肝纤维化进展,大鼠血清和肝组织IGF-1的表达均增强,罗格列酮可降低肝组织IGF-1的表达,因而能减轻大鼠肝纤维化。     

Biliary excretion of bile acid conjugates in a hyperbilirubinemic mutant Sprague-Dawley rat

The hepatic transport of bile acid conjugates was studied in the Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat, a Sprague-Dawley mutant rat with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Serum bile acid levels were increased, bile acid-independent bile flow was decreased and biliary glutathione concentrations were markedly decreased in the Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat. Biliary excretion of sulfobromophthalein was markedly impaired and almost no glutathione conjugate was excreted in the bile of the Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat. Biliary excretion of lithocholate-3-O-glucuronide and lithocholate-3-sulfate in the Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat was markedly delayed, whereas that of lithocholate was only slightly delayed. After [14C]chenodeoxycholate infusion (1 mumol/min/100 gm for 60 min), the increases in bile flow and biliary excretion of isotope in the Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat were not so prominent as those observed in control rats, and the glucuronide of chenodeoxycholate, which constituted about 15% of biliary chenodeoxycholate in control rats, was not observed in the Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat. Initial uptake of lithocholate and its glucuronide and sulfate by isolated hepatocytes was not impaired in the Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat; the profiles of cytosolic bile acid binding proteins in Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat liver were identical to those in control liver. These data indicate that the Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rat has excretory impairment of organic anions, bile acid glucuronide and sulfate and that it has characteristics very similar to those of the hyperbilirubinemic mutant Wistar rats TR- and GY.