Bile formation in rats with acute liver damage from carbon tetrachloride.

Effects of CCL4 on bile formation and on the hepatic bilirubin metabolism were studied in rats by recording the intrabiliary pressure and flow rate, BSP and bilirubin clearances and by estimating the activity of the hepatic enzyme, Uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucuronyl transferase. From the results of these studies it was concluded that: (i) CCl4 reduced the rate of bile secretion by the lever cells of the rats, (ii) spontaneous bile flow and choleretic response to dehydrocholate declined in the CCl4 treated rats, (iii) CCl4 reduced the clearance of BSP and bilirubin (UCB or BG) at low plasma concentrations as well as the absolute rate of BSP and bilirubin (UCB or BG) excretion when plasma levels were above those required to saturate active transport of the dye or hepatic excretory mechanisms of bilirubin, (iv) CCl4 produced a specific bilirubin conjugatory defect by inhibiting the activity of hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase and that (v) all these hepatotoxic effects of CCl4 appeared as early as 2-3 hours after its administration.