Three methods for measuring the increase in the capacity of the distended biliary tree in the rat produced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate treatment

ATP7B copper-regulated traffic and association with the tight junctions: copper excretion into the bile

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The copper transporter ATP7B plays a central role in the elimination of excess copper by the liver into the bile, yet the site of its action remains controversial. The studies reported here examine the correspondence between the site of ATP7B action and distribution and the pathways of copper disposal by the liver.

METHODS

Microscopy and cell fractionation studies of polarized Can 10 cells forming long-branched bile canaliculi have been used to study the cellular distribution of ATP7B. Copper excretion into the bile was studied in perfused rat liver.

RESULTS

Copper excess provokes a massive download of the ATP7B retained in the trans-Golgi network into the bile canalicular membrane. Furthermore, a stable ATP7B pool is localized to the tight junctions that seal the bile canaliculi. The profile of Cu(64) excretion into the bile by isolated rat livers perfused under one-pass conditions provides evidence of copper excretion by 2 separate mechanisms, transcytosis across the hepatocyte and paracellular transport throughout the tight junctions.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas the ATP7B retained in the trans-Golgi-network is massively translocated to the bile canalicular membrane in response to increased copper levels, a pool of ATP7B associated with the tight junctions remains stable. In situ studies indicate that copper is excreted into the bile by 2 separate pathways. The results are discussed in the frame of the normal and impeded excretion of copper into the bile.

Modification of biliary tree permeability in rats treated with a manganese-bilirubin combination

Previous studies in this laboratory demonstrated incorporation of manganese (Mn) and bilirubin (BR) in rat liver bile canalicular membrane (BCM) following a cholestatic regimen composed sequentially of Mn plus BR. The present study investigates biliary tree permeability using segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection (SRII) with [3H]mannitol and [3H]inulin as marker substances. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given the following iv: (a) Mn (high and low dose), (b) BR, (c) sulfobromophthalein (BSP), (d) Mn-BSP-BR, (e) MnBR. Results obtained with mannitol showed a approximately 63% decrease (p less than 0.05) in marker recovery following administration of MnBR combination. While BSP alone had no effect on mannitol recovery, BSP abolished the MnBR response when administered in the Mn-BSP-BR sequence. With inulin, Mn (high dose), MnBR, and Mn-BSP-BR all produced a approximately 45% decrease (p less than 0.05) in recovery, while BSP or BR alone caused a approximately 25% decrease (p less than 0.05). Mn (low dose) was without effect. These results and others obtained when the time pattern of the MnBR treatment was modified suggest: (1) MnBR treatment increases biliary tree permeability by altering both BCM and the junctional complex; (2) BCM alteration is probably the more critical event, since BSP, which protects against MnBR cholestasis, protected against the MnBR-induced change in mannitol recovery, but exerted no effect on inulin recovery.