Background/aims: To study in the rat whether oxidative stress appears early in a model of short-term cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation.
Methodology: Adult male rats underwent proximal bile duct ligation; controls underwent a sham operation. Animals were sacrificed at days 0, 1, 3, 7 and 10. Livers were removed for histological studies and biochemical analysis.
Results: GSH and PSH levels declined earlier in mitochondria than cytosol. Data were analyzed for statistical significance by ANOVA analysis.
Conclusions: This study represents an experimental model which helps in the interpretation of the damage induced by bile duct injury in humans emphasizing an early detection of bile duct injury after surgery to ensure appropriate treatment and optimal patient outcome.