Influence of common bile duct cannula size on maximal secretory rate of taurocholate in the rat.

The common bile duct of male Sprague-Dawley rats was cannulated with either PE 10 or PE 50 tubing. Maximal secretory rate of taurocholate averaged 389 +/- 67 (SD) and 657 +/- 115 nmoles X min-1 X g liver-1 in the PE 10 and PE 50 group, respectively (p less than 0.005). Maximal bile secretory pressure was significantly higher in the PE 10 group (240 +/- 28 vs 174 +/- 8 mm H20; p less than 0.005). When the maximal secretory rate was exceeded, bile flow decreased in both groups but this was accompanied with a decrease in maximal bile secretory pressure in the PE 10 group only. Maximal secretory rate of bile salts is markedly influenced by experimental technique. Use of small caliber common bile duct cannulae leads to partial obstruction and decreases the apparent maximal secretory rate for taurocholate.