Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Jul 1995
Comparative StudyCharacterization of mechanisms causing hypoalbuminemia in rats with long-term bile duct ligation.
Albumin kinetics and albumin synthesis were studied in rats with chronic bile duct ligation and compared with pair-fed control rats. The plasma albumin concentration was significantly reduced in bile duct ligated rats as compared to control rats, averaging 35 +/- 1 vs 40 +/- 2 g/l after 2 weeks and 28 +/- 3 vs 38 +/- 5 g/l after 4 weeks of bile duct ligation. Two weeks after bile duct ligation, the transcapillary escape rate of albumin was increased by 60% in bile duct ligated rats, whereas the plasma volume was unchanged. ⋯ At this time point, albumin synthesis as a fraction of total liver protein synthesis was decreased by 60% in bile duct ligated rats, and absolute albumin synthesis expressed per 100 g body weight averaged 80 +/- 8 vs 53 +/- 12 mg/(day x 100 g) in control and bile duct ligated rats (p < 0.05). The hepatic steady-state levels of albumin mRNA determined by Northern blot analysis were decreased in bile duct ligated rats at both 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. The studies suggest that reduced plasma albumin concentrations in bile duct ligated rats are caused by increased capillary permeability and lack of compensatory increase in albumin synthesis 2 weeks, and by increased plasma volume and decreased albumin synthesis 4 weeks after surgery.