Total parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis after selective damage to acinar zone 3 hepatocytes by bromobenzene in the rat

Abstract Total parenteral nutrition is known to cause cholestasis, but the hepatic site of this effect has not been determined. The purpose of our study was to observe the effect of TPN on bile flow and bile salt secretion rate in rats after selective damage to acinar zone 3. Bromobenzene, 3.8 mmol/kg, was injected i.p., and the animals were studied 48 hours later. Experimental groups received either parenteral nutrition or saline for 2 hours. Bromobenzene caused selective damage to acinar zone 3 hepatocytes, and reduced baseline bile flow (23.99±1.09 vs 37.2±1.66, mean±SEM, μ l/min/kg, p