Delayed recovery of mitochondrial function in rat liver after releasing biliary obstruction.

In order to know the influence of obstructive jaundice on the function of the liver and also to clarify the underlying factors involved in the recovery process after releasing biliary obstruction. the author examined the following parameters: The respiratory function of the liver mitochondria, the activities of hepatic enzymes in serum and the ultrastructure of the liver. Male Donryu rats were used for this investigation, in which the bile ducts of the rats were obstructed and. after a certain duration. were relased to allow for external bile drainage. The parameters mentioned above deteriorated due to obstructive jaundice, but recovered to some extent upon the release of the biliary obstruction. The recovery process depended on the length of the obstruction period. The longer the obstruction period persisted. the longer was the time required for recovery. Accordingly, it is desirable to perform biliary decompression as soon as possible. at least within a period of two weeks. Furthermore. after the release of obstructive jaundice, there existed a certain period of insufficient recovery of the mitochondrial function even when the biochemical data were completely normalized. This time lag of the recovery between mitochondrial function anq biochemical data might reflect a reduced reserve function of the liver. Belter understanding of the recovery process of the damaged liver is very important when considering major surgery after releasing obstructive jaundice.