Biochemical and pathological changes in the heart following bile duct ligation.

Biochemical, histological, and ECG changes were studied on the second, fifth, tenth, and fifteenth days after bile duct ligation in male albino rats. The biochemical parameters included serum bilirubin, free fatty acids (FFA), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, pyruvate, serum bilirubin, free fatty acids (FFA), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, pyruvate, and cardiac glycogen. Maximum increase in serum bilirubin was noted on the 5th day after ligation. Although it decreased on the 10th and 15th days, the level on the 15th day was higher than in normal level. Serum enzymes, FFA, and pyruvate also showed a maximum level on the 5th day after ligation, with the levels returning toward normal on the 10th and 15th days. Maximum depletion of cardiac glycogen was observed on the 5th day, coming back toward normal on the 10th and 15th days. ECG studies showed bradycardia, increase in PR and QT intervals, and arrhythmia in a few cases. Histology showed cloudy swelling and accumulation of bilirubin in the myocardium with a maximum change on the 5th day. The significance of recovery after the 5th day is discussed.