Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Sep 1998
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialAbnormal accumulation of endotoxin in biliary epithelial cells in primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Previous studies have revealed the involvement of Kupffer cells and hepatocytes in the metabolism of endotoxin in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo localization of endotoxin in liver cells, including Kupffer cells, hepatocytes, and biliary epithelial cells, in primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. We also examined the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on the intrahepatic distribution of endotoxin in primary biliary cirrhosis. ⋯ Our results revealed that in primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, endotoxin accumulates abnormally in biliary epithelial cells. In addition, we found that ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis may provide a beneficial effect on the intrahepatic metabolism of endotoxin.