HEPATIC ADENINE-NUCLEOTIDES AND MICROSOMAL CHOLESTEROL 7-ALPHA-HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY IN THE OBSTRUCTED AND FREELY DRAINING LOBES OF THE LIVER AFTER SELECTIVE BITE DUCT OBSTRUCTION

Background: The effect of selective bile duct obstruction (SBDO) on he patic reserve function of the bile duct obstructed (BDO) and nonobstru cted freely draining (FD) lobes of the liver is obscure. Methods: The bile duct branches draining from the left lateral and median lobes of the liver were ligated for 4 and 10 days in rats, and hepatic reserve functions in BDO and FD lobes were assessed by microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities and by hepatic adenine nucleotides and energy charge levels. The values were compared with those in the sham- operated control liver. Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities wer e determined by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and hepat ic adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and aden osine monophosphate (AMP) levels with high-pressure liquid chromatogra phy. Results: The histological examination of the BDO lobes showed pro liferation and formation of new bile ductules and fibrous connective t issues linking portal areas. Microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylas e activities, hepatic energy charge and each adenine nucleotide level did not differ between FD and BDO lobes, and the values were similar t o those in the sham-operated liver. Conclusions: Selective bile duct o bstruction shows no adverse effects on microsomal and mitochondrial fu nctions in both the BDO and FD lobes of the liver.