Nutritional Status of Male Albino Rats undergo Obstructive Jaundice experimentally

Effect of Synthetically obstructive jaundice, and biliary drainage on the nutritional status was studied in male albino rats and compared with control and sham operated animals. During the first week after operation, food intake was reduced in bile duct ligated (BDL) group (P < 0.05), resulting in weight loss when compared to control and sham operated animals. Weight gain and nitrogen balance were improved after biliary drainage with a significant difference between internal and external methods (P<0.05). Serum albumin decreased firstly in all groups except control one, returned to normal in sham operated group, and persisted low in BDL group at the end of the fourth week (P<0.01). Serum albumin rose to normal levels after internal and external biliary drainage at the end of the experimental period. Obstructive jaundice was associated with anemia (hemoglobin and hematocrite value decreased significantly at the end of fourth week in BDL group. Biliary drainage improved the hemoglobin and hematocrite values especially in the internally drained group. All the parameters used for nutritional assessment (food intake, body weight, and nitrogen balance) were improved after internal biliary drainage. In the present work, changes occurred in serum albumin, hemoglobin and hematocrite values showed that they are not good indicators for nutritional assessment of this animal model. Internal biliary drainage may be of value in decreasing morbidity and mortality after surgery for patients with obstructive jaundice.