Demonstration of bile stasis in the mouse by a direct and an indirect method

¹ Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Cannulation of the common bile duct of the mouse has been effected. Bile flow rates and bile pigment concentrations have been determined in these preparations. These values are lower than comparable values in bile duct-cannulated rats. An indirect test for detection of bile flow in the mouse, using injected fluorescein as an indicator, has been devised. Using all-or-none criteria, results obtained using the indirect technique correlate well with those obtained by the direct (cannulation) method. The use of the indirect test in conjunction with liver function tests, e.g., Bromsulphalein (BSP) retention, is recommended as a means of elucidating causes of liver dysfunction. By this means, a difference has been demonstrated between two hepatotoxic agents which effect BSP retention in the mouse: carbon tetrachloride and alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT). The latter agent interferes with BSP excretion as shown by the indirect bile flow test; carbon tetrachloride does not cause blockage of bile flow.

Submitted on September 10, 1964