Abstract
The ontogenesis of hepatic bile formation was studied in 4 groups of rabbits:suckling infants at ages 10-14, 18-22, and 26-30 days, and adults. Bile was collected directly from the common duct during three 1 h periods: a basal period followed by adding 1 and then 2 μmol/min/kg of glycodeoxycholic acid. 14C-erythritol and 3H-inulin clearances assessed canalicular bile flow and membrane permeability,respectively.Bile flow and bile salt secretion were significantly (p<.001) less in 10-14 d infants and progressively increased with increasing age.Bile flow was linearly related to bile salt secretion.Bile salt-dependent flow,the increment in flow per mass bile salt secreted(μl/μmol), was greater (p<.01) in the two youngest groups,10-14 d (80) and 17-22 d (70) compared to the adult (50) and 25-30 d (44) rabbits.The chloride:bile salt ratio was also higher in the two youngest groups.Bile salt-independent flow at theoretic zero bile salt secretion was absent in the younger groups, but evident in the adult and 25-30 d rabbits. Canalicular flow estimated by erythritol clearance was linearly (p<.01) related to bile salt secretion.Inulin clearance relative to erythritol clearance was higher in 10-14 d infants than adults.Thus, bile flow and bile salt secretion are reduced in young adults, but rise to near adult levels at the time of weaning,25-30 d. The increase in flow results from increased bile salt secretion and the appearance of bile salt-independent flow.In the young, increased biliary permeability maintains bile flow and chloride output despite increased bile salt secretion.
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Shaffer, E., Gall, D. POSTNATAL MATURATION OF HEPATIC BILE FORMATION IN THE RABBIT. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 211 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00712
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00712