The effects of obstructive jaundice on the brain: An experimental study

Summary Background/Objective The study aims to evaluate the alterations in the brain due to oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation resulting from obstructive jaundice. Methods Forty-one Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Simple laparotomy was performed in the sham group ( n  = 5). In the remaining 36 rats, the common bile duct (CBD) was found and ligated. They were divided into six groups. Group I, Group II, and Group III were sacrificed at the 3 rd , 7 th , and 14 th day of ligation, respectively. In Group Id, Group IId, and Group IIId ligated bile ducts were decompressed at the 3 rd , 7 th , and 14 th day, respectively. One week after decompression these rats were also sacrificed and samples were taken. Results After the CBD ligation, serum levels of bilirubin and malondialdehyde were found to be increased progressively in parallel to the ligation time of the CBD. After decompression these values decreased. In electron microscopy evaluation, the damage was found to be irreversible depending on the length of the obstruction period. In Group II, the damage was mostly reversible after the internal drainage period of 7 days. However in Group III, the tissue damage was found to be irreversible despite the decreased values of oxidative stress and bilirubin. Conclusion Ultrastructural changes in brain tissue including damage in the glial cells and neurons, were found to be irreversible if the CBD ligation period was >7 days and did not regress even after decompression. It is unreliable to trace these changes using blood levels of bilirubin and free radicals. Therefore, timing is extremely critical for medical therapies and drainage.