Effects of the cholestatic factor and the prostaglandin E1 derivative on the level of cAMP in isolated hepatocytes of rats

: It has been reported that cAMP in hepatocytes plays an important role in bile discharge. Therefore, in order to examine the action mechanism of the cholestatic factor, we studied the effect of the cholestatic factor and prostaglandin E1 derivative which inhibits the activity of the cholestatic factor on the cAMP level in hepatocytes. As a result, the cAMP level in hepatocytes was decreased by treatment with the cholestatic factor, but was increased by the prostaglandin E1 derivative. Furthermore, the cAMP level which was decreased by the cholestatic factor returned to the original level by treatment with the prostaglandin E1 derivative. Because the increase in the cAMP level in hepatocytes promotes the bile acid independent bile discharge, it is suggested that the cholestatic factor reduces the bile flow by the decrease in the cAMP level in hepatocytes, and that the prostaglandin E1 derivative competes with the action of the cholestatic factor through the increase in the cAMP level in hepatocytes.