HEPATIC ADENINE-NUCLEOTIDES AND MICROSOMAL CHOLESTEROL 7-ALPHA-HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY IN THE OBSTRUCTED AND FREELY DRAINING LOBES OF THE LIVER AFTER SELECTIVE BILE-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 nucleotide and e nergy charge levels. The values were compared with those in sham-opera ted control liver. Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities were det ermined by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and hepatic ad enosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels with high-pressure liquid chromatography. Results: The histological examination of the BDO lobes showed prolifer ation and formation of new bile ductules and fibrous connective tissue linking portal areas. Microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase acti vities, hepatic energy charge and adenine nucleotide levels did not di ffer between FD and BDO lobes, and the values were similar to those in the sham-operated liver. Conclusions: Selective bile duct obstruction shows no adverse effects on microsomal and mitochondrial functions in either BDO or FD lobes of the liver.