Published online Sep 15, 1997. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v3.i3.174
Revised: November 16, 1996
Accepted: December 23, 1996
Published online: September 15, 1997
AIM: To investigate the morphologic changes of the myocardium and its relationship to serum bile acids in obstructive jaundice.
METHODS: Part 1: 35 rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Group I (BDL1, n = 11), the common bile duct (CBD) was ligated and severed and mice were then sacrificed after one week. Group I (BDL2, n = 11), the CBD was ligated and severed and mice were then killed after two weeks. Group I (SO, n = 13), the CBD was isolated. Hearts were collected for morphologic studies and blood was taken to determine the total serum bile acids (TAB). Part 2: 13 rats received gastric intubation of 10% 4 mL/kg sodium cholate. Their serum TBA and the heart’s morphologic changes were then examined.
RESULTS: One to two weeks after the CBD was ligated and severed, damage was evident in the mitochondria within the myocardium and the serum TBA was significantly increased. When rats were administered sodium cholate to make their peak blood concentration mimic the average blood concentration in BDL2, a similar degree of myocardial damage was observed.
CONCLUSION: An increase in endogenous bile acids is one causative factor of myocardial damage in obstructive jaundice.