1979 Volume 76 Issue 8 Pages 1691-1701
Despite effective releasement of biliary obstruction, jaundice is often prolonged and the mechanism has not been clarified. In order to detect the factors that prolong jaundice, experimental obstructive jaundice was produced in mongrel dogs and liver cell functions before and after releasing the obstruction were studied, by ICG plasma disappearance and transfer rate, Vit. K. loading hepaplastin test, serum Monoamine Oxidase value, general liver function test, and histological examination. The obtained results were as follows :
1. With biliary obstruction, the serum bilirubin level rapidly elevates and reaches to plateau in about three weeks. Biliary infection added accelerates the elevation and the same tendency is observed in other biochemical examinations.
2. The intra-cellular functions of the liver, which was detected by D/T ratio of serum bilirubin, ICG plasma disappearance and transfer rate, and Vit. K loading hepaplastin test, proved to be slightly suppressed and showed immediate restoration by releasing the obstruction. On the other hand, the function of hepatic cell membrane was found to be suppressed more strongly and required a longer term to be restored by releasing the obstruction.
3. Decreasement of the b-value in ICG plasma transfer rate and detorioration of the activity in Vit. K loading hepaplastin test are presumed to be the indicators to show poor prognosis of obstructive jaundice.
4. With the serum Monoamine Oxidase value, hepatic fibrosis is revealed to progress gradually during the obstructed period and keep progressing for one week after releasing the obstruction.