The retention of bile constituents in biliary stasis.

The biliaro-lymphatic reflux of bilirubin and bile salts is present in the dog only in the first 24 hrs of complete biliary obstruction. The reflux has been demonstrated also in rats, but it is absent in dogs with functioning gall bladder, when bile pressure does not attain the "secretory pressure". Alkaline phosphatase and GOT do not regurgitate in bile stasis into the lymph. The biliaro-lymphatic reflux of bile pigments and bile salts stops in consequence of the cessation of their secretion into the bile. This is corroborated by the observation that in the rat the excretion of BSP into the bile ceases after a prolonged bile stasis. The uptake by the hepatocytes of BSP and other substances does not stop, however, after several days of complete biliary obstruction. The bile constuents are released in prolonged bile stasis from the liver cells directly into the sinusoidal blood. This is probably the consequence of some damage of the cell function.