Bile and Bilirubin Excretion in Relation to Hepatic Energy Status Hemorrhagic Shock and Hypoxemia in Rabbits

We investigated the relation between in vivo hepatocyte excretion of bile and bilirubin and hepatic energy status in rabbit models of hemorrhagic shock and hypoxemia.Randomized animal study.After creation of a total biliary fistula, hemorrhagic shock with mean pressure of 50 mm Hg (10 rabbits) or hypoxemia with Pao2 at 35 mm Hg (8 rabbits) was induced for 60 minutes. We determined bile flow, excretion of bilirubin and total bile acids, the plasma level of bilirubin, and arterial ketone body ratio, which reflects hepatic mitochondrial function.Both the hemorrhagic shock and the hypoxemic models showed decreases in bile flow and excretion of bilirubin and total bile acids as well as increase in the plasma level of bilirubin in association with decreases in the hepatic energy charge and the arterial ketone body ratio.Bile flow and the excretion of bilirubin were correlated with the hepatic energy status.