DIETARY-FAT EXACERBATES LIVER-DISEASE IN BILE-DUCT LIGATED RATS

Previous studies have suggested that the mortality of bile duct-ligate d (BDL) rats is related to the amount of dietary fat consumed. We inve stigated the influence of dietary fat concentration on liver disease i n BDL rats. Groups of rats were fed for 4 wk either a low fat diet (LF , 0.92 kJ/g; 3% of total energy from fat), a high fat diet (HF, 1.07 k J/g; 30% fat), a high fat diet with energy density equivalent to that of the LF diet (HFIB, 0.92 kJ/g; 30% fat) or a diet based on the compo sition of commercial nonpurified diets (COMP, 0.90 kJ/g; 10% fat). Ene rgy intake, body weight gain, plasma biochemical indices and hepatic h istology were compared in BDL and sham-operated control rats. Bile duc t-ligated animals consuming the LF diet showed a faster recovery of en ergy intake and greater body weight gain following surgery than did BD L animals fed the other three diets. Plasma alkaline phosphatase activ ity was significantly greater in BDL animals fed either of the high fa t diets than in those fed the LF or COMP diet starting 1 and 2 wk, res pectively, after surgery. Hepatic fibrosis and bile duct proliferation at d 28 post-ligation were greater in rats fed a 30% fat (HF) diet th an in rats fed the 3% fat (LF) diet. These results suggest that dietar y fat concentration can influence the severity of liver dysfunction in extrahepatic biliary obstruction.