EVALUATION OF CHANGES OF PLASMA CYCLIC AMP LEVEL IN OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE

Abstract

Changes of plasma cAMP level and operative mortality after 30% and 70% hepatectomy were evaluated in Wistar stratin rats with obstructive jaundice.
The basic plasma cAMP level increased 20 to 60% after bile duct obstruction but did not correlate with the duration of obstruction.
The plasma cAMP response to stimulation by glucagon (G-CAMP test) showed a corresponding decrease with the time course, with the response 2 weeks after the obstruction being under 20% that of the preoperative condition.
The response just after the release of the bile duct obstruction, increased temoporarily following decrement, but recovered only 70 to 80% even at 8 weeks after the release.
The mortality rate of 70% hepatectomy for the rats with jaundice persisted for 2 weeks was increased significantly. The mortality rate was correlated with the plasma G-cAMP response.
It is concluded that G-cAMP test is useful as an indicator of the hepatic functional reserve of cases with obstructive jaundice.