An Experimental Study on Lipid Metabolism in Rats with Obstructive Jaundice ; Focusing on Cholesterol Synthesis

Abstract

― 745 ― Abstract Aim : The Aim of this experimental study was to investigate how lipid metabolism is altered in a rat obstructive jaundice model, focusing on cholesterol synthesis. Materials and methods : A rat obstructive jaundice model was prepared by bile duct ligation. Rats were sacrificed 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after bile duct ligation, and blood was collected, and the total liver was iso-lated. Normal control rats were also sacrificed, and samples were collected in the same manner. The profile of changes lipid metabolism was evaluated over time. Results and discussion : 1) Serum T-Chol level markedly increased at week 1. It subsequently declined, while being higher than the control level until week 4. Serum HDL-C level increased until week 2, and concurrently HMG-CoA reductase activity was elevated. These findings indicate increased hepatic cholesterol synthesis during the early stage of obstructive jaundice. 2) Serum HDL-C level, HMG-CoA reductase activity and LR m-RNA expression level all decreased during the period of complete obstructive jaundice at week 4. At this stage, impaired lipid metabolism and depressed hepatic cholesterol synthesis were observed, and these may be referred to liver disorder due to obstructive jaundice. Conclusion : Thus, lipid metabolism varied in degree of impairment with different stages of obstructive jaundice. Clinically, in the surgery for patients with