Role of membranes in bile formation. Comparison of the composition of bile and a liver bile-canalicular plasma-membrane subfraction

Plasma trimethylamine N-oxide concentration is associated with choline, phospholipids, and methyl metabolism

BACKGROUND

Elevated plasma concentrations of the gut bacteria choline metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) are associated with atherosclerosis. However, the determinants of TMAO in humans require additional assessment.

OBJECTIVE

We examined cardiometabolic risk factors and pathways associated with TMAO concentrations in humans.

DESIGN

A total of 283 individuals (mean ± SD age: 66.7 ± 9.0 y) were included in this observational study. Plasma concentrations of trimethylamine, TMAO, choline, lipids, phospholipids, and methyl metabolites were measured.

RESULTS

Study participants were divided into 4 groups by median concentrations of TMAO and choline (4.36 and 9.7 μmol/L, respectively). Compared with the group with TMAO and choline concentrations that were less than the median (n = 82), the group with TMAO and choline concentrations that were at least the median (n = 83) was older and had lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, phospholipids, and methylation potential, higher creatinine, betaine, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and higher percentages of men and subjects with diabetes. The difference in plasma TMAO concentrations between men and women (7.3 ± 10.0 compared with 5.4 ± 5.6 μmol/L, respectively) was NS after adjustment for age and creatinine (P = 0.455). The TMAO:trimethylamine ratio was higher in men (P < 0.001). Diabetes was associated with significantly higher plasma TMAO concentration (8.6 ± 12.2 compared with 5.4 ± 5.2 μmol/L) even after adjustments. Sex and diabetes showed an interactive effect on trimethylamine concentrations (P = 0.010) but not on TMAO concentrations (P = 0.950). Positive determinants of TMAO in a stepwise regression model that applied to the whole group were SAH, trimethylamine, choline, and female sex, whereas plasma phosphatidylcholine was a negative determinant.

CONCLUSIONS

High TMAO and choline concentrations are associated with an advanced cardiometabolic risk profile. Diabetes is related to higher plasma TMAO concentrations but also to alterations in interrelated pathways such as lipids, phospholipids, and methylation. Elevated plasma TMAO concentrations likely reflect a specific metabolic pattern characterized by low HDL and phospholipids in addition to hypomethylation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02586181 and NCT02588898.

Bile proteome in health and disease

The study of bile proteins could improve the understanding of physiological processes involved in the regulation of the hepato-biliary system. Researchers have tried for years to investigate the bile proteome but, until recently, only a few tens of proteins were known. The advent of proteomics, availing of large-scale analytical devices paired with potent bioinformatic resources, lately allowed the identification of thousands of proteins in bile. Nevertheless, the knowledge of their role in the hepato-biliary system still represents almost a "blank page in the book of physiology." In this review, we first guide the reader through the historical phases of the analysis of bile protein content, emphasizing the recent progresses achieved through the use of proteomic techniques. Thereafter, we deeply explore the involvement of bile proteins in health and disease, with a particular focus on the discovery of biomarkers for biliary tract malignancies.

A novel hypothesis for an alkaline phosphatase 'rescue' mechanism in the hepatic acute phase immune response

The liver isoform of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (AP) has been used classically as a serum biomarker for hepatic disease states such as hepatitis, steatosis, cirrhosis, drug-induced liver injury, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent studies have demonstrated a more general anti-inflammatory role for AP, as it is capable of dephosphorylating potentially deleterious molecules such as nucleotide phosphates, the pathogenic endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the contact clotting pathway activator polyphosphate (polyP), thereby reducing inflammation and coagulopathy systemically. Yet the mechanism underlying the observed increase in liver AP levels in circulation during inflammatory insults is largely unknown. This paper hypothesizes an immunological role for AP in the liver and the potential of this system for damping generalized inflammation along with a wide range of ancillary pathologies. Based on the provided framework, a mechanism is proposed in which AP undergoes transcytosis in hepatocytes from the canalicular membrane to the sinusoidal membrane during inflammation and the enzyme's expression is upregulated as a result. Through a tightly controlled, nucleotide-stimulated negative feedback process, AP is transported in this model as an immune complex with immunoglobulin G by the asialoglycoprotein receptor through the cell and secreted into the serum, likely using the receptor's State 1 pathway. The subsequent dephosphorylation of inflammatory stimuli by AP and uptake of the circulating immune complex by endothelial cells and macrophages may lead to decreased inflammation and coagulopathy while providing an early upstream signal for the induction of a number of anti-inflammatory gene products, including AP itself.

Cholesterol interaction with the daunorubicin binding site of P-glycoprotein

The inherent complexities of cholesterol disposition and metabolism preclude a single transmembrane active transport avenue for this steroid-precursor, cell-membrane constituent. Yet the ABC (ATP binding cassette) transporters are inextricably linked to elements of cholesterol disposition. Recent observations have suggested that, under certain settings, the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) performs a direct role in cholesterol disposition. The gene product of MDR1 (multidrug resistance transporter), P-glycoprotein also confers protection against xenobiotics. Using a whole cell assay in which the retention of a marker substrate is evaluated and quantified, we studied the ability of cholesterol to inhibit directly the function of this transporter. In a NIH-G185 cell line presenting an overexpressed amount of the human transporter P-gp, cholesterol caused dramatic inhibition of daunorubicin transport with an IC(50) of about 8 microM yet had no effect on the parent cell line nor rhodamine 123 transport. Additionally, using the ATP-hydrolysis assay, we showed that cholesterol increases P-gp-mediated ATP hydrolysis by approximately 1.6-fold with a K(s) of 5 microM. Suggesting that cholesterol directly interacts with the substrate binding site of P-gp, these results are consistent with cholesterol being transported by MDR1 P-gp.

Taurocholate induces preferential release of phosphatidylcholine from rat liver canalicular vesicles

AIMS/BACKGROUND

Biliary phospholipid secretion involves predominant segregation of canalicular phosphatidylcholine into bile. We tested the hypothesis that micellar concentrations of the major physiologic bile salt taurocholate can preferentially solubilize phosphatidylcholine from the canalicular rat liver plasma membrane.

METHODS

Subcellular fractions from rat liver and kidney were isolated with standardized procedures, incubated in vitro with taurocholate or 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-propane-1-sulphonate (CHAPS) and released phospholipids determined after centrifugation.

RESULTS

After incubation of canalicular (cLPM) and basolateral (blLPM) rat liver plasma membrane vesicles with 6 and 8 mM taurocholate, the proportion of phosphatidylcholine released was about two-fold higher as compared with its relative contribution to the overall lipid composition of the membranes. Quantitatively, this taurocholate-induced preferential phosphatidylcholine release was about four-fold higher in cLPM (117 nmol) as compared with blLPM (28 nmol). Comparison of membranes from different organs showed that increased sphingomyelin content reduced taurocholate-induced phosphatidylcholine release. Furthermore, phosphatidylcholine release from cLPM did not fit an inverse exponential relationship between membrane sphingomyelin content and phosphatidylcholine release from different starting material, indicating that cLPM is especially prone to taurocholate-induced phosphatidylcholine release. In contrast, in rat liver microsomes and kidney brush border membranes, taurocholate released phospholipids in proportion of their membrane contents, indicating an unspecific membrane solubilizing effect only. Similarly, CHAPS had an unselective lipid solubilizing effects in cLPM and blLPM.

CONCLUSION

These results support the concept that the very last step of canalicular phospholipid secretion is mediated in vivo by bile salt-induced vesiculation of phosphatidylcholine-enriched microdomains from the outer leaflet of cLPM.

Identification of B10, an alkaline phosphodiesterase of the apical plasma membrane of hepatocytes and biliary cells, in rat serum: increased levels following bile duct ligation and during the development of cholangiocarcinoma

Alkaline phosphodiesterase (APDE) is associated with the cellular plasma membrane of many organs. Several isoforms are also detected in normal human serum and their respective amounts vary in liver diseases but their significance is unknown. The aims of this study were: 1) to identify a serum form of B10, an APDE exclusively localized at the apical pole of the plasma membrane of rat hepatocytes and biliary cells; 2) to gain insight into its origin; and 3) to investigate its behavior, in two liver diseases in which an abnormal membrane expression of B10 has been reported, namely cholestasis and cholangiocarcinoma. A soluble form of B10 was immunoprecipitated from normal rat serum, which amounted to 13% of total serum APDE activity. By sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the size of the serum enzyme was 125 kd, which is slightly lower than that found in the plasma membrane (130 kd). In bile, a 120-kd and a 130-kd form was found. A sixfold and fivefold increase of B10 APDE activity was observed in the serum of bile duct-ligated rats and in the Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats which spontaneously develop cholangiocarcinoma. The molecular size of the form present in serum was unchanged. A threefold increase was also observed in LEC rats which had not yet developed a cholangiocarcinoma. In conclusion, we identified a soluble form of B10 in normal rat serum. The increase in serum B10 in the experimental and pathological conditions investigated does not seem to result from passage of the biliary form to the serum but seems to be caused by increased cleavage of the membrane form. Its rise early during the onset of cholangiocarcinoma suggests that B10 in the serum might be a marker of carcinogenesis and/or be involved in the development of cholangiocarcinoma.

Influence of bile salts on molecular interactions between sphingomyelin and cholesterol: relevance to bile formation and stability

Bile salts enhance secretion of cholesterol into bile and its subsequent solubilization with phosphatidylcholine in mixed micelles. Sphingomyelin, a major structural lipid of the hepatocyte canalicular membrane, and disaturated phosphatidylcholines are known to impede nucleation of solid cholesterol crystals in supersaturated model systems. To understand these effects physico-chemically, we compared the influence of bile salts on interactions of cholesterol with natural sphingomyelins, as well as with dipalmitoyl and egg yolk phosphatidylcholines using various in vitro systems. Submicellar bile salts enhanced significantly bidirectional transfer of dehydroergosterol (a fluorescent cholesterol analog) between sphingomyelin and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine vesicles in the rank order taurocholate < tauroursodeoxycholate < taurodeoxycholate. Quasielastic light scattering of serially diluted sphingomyelin-taurocholate mixtures (1:1 molar ratio, 3 g/dl) revealed metastable temperature-dependent transitions between globular micelles, rod-shaped micelles and vesicles, suggesting that phase transitions under these experimental conditions were metastable only at temperatures below 37 degrees C. Ternary phase diagrams of all sphingomyelins and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine with cholesterol and taurocholate (37 degrees C, 3 g/dl, 0.15 M NaCl) were identical. Compared to systems containing egg yolk phosphatidylcholine, the 1-phase micellar zone and 2- and 3-phase solid cholesterol crystal-containing zones were reduced markedly while the 2-phase zone with stable cholesterol-sphingomyelin liquid crystals was greatly expanded. Our results suggest that the high affinity of cholesterol for sphingomyelin is lost in the presence of bile salts. Our findings may be relevant to secretion of cholesterol into bile and to its inability to crystallize in the hepatocyte canalicular lumen or its surrounding membranes.

Interactions between organic anions, micelles and vesicles in model bile systems

Biliary lipid secretion probably involves both 'micellization' and 'vesiculization' of bile-canalicular membrane lipids. Several hydrophilic organic anions inhibit the secretion of lipids into the bile without altering bile salt secretion [Verkade, Vonk and Kuipers (1995) Hepatology 21, 1174-1189]. Hydrophobic organic anions do not interfere with biliary lipid secretion. We investigated whether the organic-anion-induced inhibition of biliary lipid secretion in vivo could be attributed to inhibition of micellization, by the application of in vitro models of micellization. Carboxyfluorescein was entrapped in a self-quenching concentration in small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) composed of cholesterol/egg phosphatidylcholine (molar ratios 0, 0.2 and 0.5). Certain organic anions clearly affected the bile-salt-induced release of fluorescence from these SUV, reflecting interference with micellization. However, the effects of hydrophilic and hydrophobic organic anions did not correspond with their effects on biliary lipid secretion in vivo, irrespective of the bile salt species used (taurocholate, taurodeoxycholate or tauroursodeoxycholate) and of the lipid composition of the SUV. Ultracentrifugation and dynamic light-scattering studies indicated that organic anions do interact with bile salt/ phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol mixed micelles, but that they do not inhibit micellization, for example by competing with phosphatidylcholine and/or cholesterol for incorporation into mixed micelles. In conclusion, the present in vitro data indicate that the in vivo mechanism of organic-anion-induced inhibition of biliary lipid secretion is not mediated by inhibition of micellization.

In vitro evidence that phospholipid secretion into bile may be coordinated intracellularly by the combined actions of bile salts and the specific phosphatidylcholine transfer protein of liver

Using model systems, we explored a potential function of hepatic phosphatidylcholine transfer protein to extract biliary-type phosphatidylcholines from intracellular membranes (e.g., smooth endoplasmic reticulum) and deliver them to canalicular plasma membranes where biliary secretion occurs. We measured transfer rates of parinaroyl phosphatidylcholine, a naturally fluorescent phospholipid, from small unilamellar vesicles composed of sn-1 palmitoyl, sn-2 parinaroyl phosphatidylcholine, and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (molar ratio 75:25) wherein the fluorophore is self-quenched to small unilamellar vesicles composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, and cholesterol (molar ratios 22:22:10:8:38) representing model microsomal and canalicular plasma membranes, respectively. Following addition of phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (purified from bovine liver), fluorescence intensity increased exponentially indicating net phosphatidylcholine transfer from donor to acceptor vesicles. Submicellar concentrations of a wide hydrophobicity range of common and uncommon taurine and glycine conjugated bile salts species (anionic steroid detergent-like molecules), sodium taurofusidate (a conjugated fungal bile salt analog), and sodium dodecyl sulfate and octylglucoside, anionic and nonionic straight chain detergents, respectively, markedly stimulated phosphatidylcholine transfer protein activity. This 40-115-fold effect was most pronounced for the common bile salts and correlated positively with bile salt hydrophobicity. Thermodynamic analysis of net transfer revealed that the rate-limiting step was extraction of phosphatidylcholine molecules from donor vesicles and that bile salts facilitated their capture by enhancing both phosphatidylcholine transfer protein binding as well as perturbing phospholipid packing in vesicle bilayers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Identification of a 130-kilodalton human biliary concanavalin A binding protein as aminopeptidase N

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Human gallbladder bile contains a group of nonmucin glycoproteins that binds to the lectin concanavalin A (con A) and has been reported to promote cholesterol monohydrate crystal nucleation, an event preceding the formation of gallstones. Several of these proteins, including a 130-kilodalton protein, have been isolated and shown to promote nucleation in vitro. The aim of this study was to identify this and other major biliary con A binding glycoproteins.

METHODS

Gallbladder bile was chromatographed on con A agarose, and the eluted proteins were electrophoresed, blotted, and subjected to amino-terminal sequence analysis.

RESULTS

The major con A binding proteins were identified as aminopeptidase N (a 130-kilodalton protein), alpha 2 macroglobulin, hemopexin, immunoglobulin heavy chains, and the beta chain of haptoglobin. After further purification, aminopeptidase N was found to be enzymatically active and to promote cholesterol crystallization at its approximate physiological concentration in bile.

CONCLUSIONS

It is likely that aminopeptidase N is the previously characterized 130-kilodalton biliary crystallization promoting protein. Aminopeptidase N is probably released from the biliary canalicular membrane by the detergent activity of bile salts and may be one factor that promotes cholesterol crystallization in the gallbladder.

Cholestasis, metabolism and biliary lipid secretion during perfusion of rat liver with different bile salts

The biological effects of bile acids depend largely upon their molecular structure. When bile acid uptake exceeds the maximal biliary secretory rate (SRm) cholestasis occurs. In order to characterize the influence of bile acid structure on its cholestatic potency we systematically studied SRm, maximal bile flow, maximal and cumulative phospholipid and cholesterol secretion with different taurine-conjugated tri-, di- and keto bile acids (Table I) in the isolated perfused rat liver. Bile acids with a high critical micellar concentration (CMC) promoted the greatest bile flow; a positive non-linear correlation between CMC and maximal bile flow was found. 3 alpha-Hydroxylated bile acids with a hydroxyl group in 6 alpha and/or 7 beta position and lacking a 12 alpha hydroxy group had a high SRm. SRm was not related to CMC or maximal bile flow, respectively. Phospholipids and cholesterol were secreted in a nearly fixed ratio of 12:1; a strong linear relationship could be observed. Cumulative phospholipid secretion over 48 min was significantly lower for non and poor micelle forming bile acids (TDHC and TUC) than for those with comparatively low CMC values (TUDC, TC, THC, THDC, TCDC) (70-140 vs. 210-450 nmol/g liver). At SRm all bile acids with good micelle forming properties showed a similar cumulative biliary lipid output. However, when biliary lipid output was related to 1 mumol bile acid secreted bile acids with a low SRm induced the highest lipid secretion (TCDC, TC). These data (1) demonstrate that a 6 alpha and/or a 7 beta hydroxy group on the steroid nucleus reduce cholestatic potency if the 12 alpha hydroxy group is absent, (2) suggest that in the case of micelle forming bile acids the total amount of phospholipids secreted in bile (depletion of cellular phospholipids) is associated with the occurrence of cholestasis whereby bile acids with a low SRm deplete the cellular phospholipid content at much lower bile acid concentrations than those with a higher SRm and (3) imply that bile acids with non and poor micelle forming properties (TDHC, TUC) presumably do not cause cholestasis (solely) by depletion of cellular phospholipids.

Effect of ethinylestradiol and epomediol on bile flow and biliary lipid composition in rat

Epomediol (1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo(2.2.2.)octan-6,7-endo,endo-diol) (EPO) is a terpenoid compound shown to reverse 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE)-induced cholestasis in rat. The effect is related to the restoration of normal liver plasma membrane fluidity values. To further characterize the effect of EPO, bile flow and biliary lipid composition were measured in rats treated either with EE or EE associated with EPO. EE significantly reduced the bile flow; this reduction was prevented by concomitant treatment with EPO with an increase in the bile salt secretion rate. EPO alone showed a choleretic effect. The biliary secretion rate of cholesterol was also significantly reduced by EE while being comparable to controls in EE-EPO-treated animals. Phospholipid (PL) biliary excretion was significantly (P less than 0.002) increased by EE either alone or combined with EPO. After EE treatment, the biliary PL composition showed a reduction in phosphatidylcholine (PC) concentration with a parallel increase in lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) when compared to control animals (PC:LPC ratio 5.0 +/- 2.5 vs 26.8 +/- 9.9, mean +/- SD, P less than 0.005). EPO administration to EE-treated rats restored the biliary PC:LPC ratio to control values (27.6 +/- 10.6). EPO alone did not show any appreciable effect as compared to both control and EE-EPO treated animals. As increased concentrations of LPC have been reported to induce an alteration in the function of membrane lipids and membrane-associated proteins, such as regulatory enzymes for bile acid, cholesterol and phospholipid metabolism, these results suggest that the protective effect of EPO in EE-induced cholestasis may be related to the reversal of the alterations in membrane lipid composition and function induced by EE.

Studies on the origin of biliary phospholipid. Effect of dehydrocholic acid and cholic acid infusions on hepatic and biliary phospholipids

The correlation between the secretion of biliary phospholipid (PL) and bile acid suggests a regulatory effect of bile acid on PL secretion. Bile acids may influence PL synthesis and/or the mobilization of a preformed PL pool. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of these two sources to biliary PL, by using an experimental protocol in which dehydrocholic acid (DHCA) and cholic acid (CA) were infused to manipulate biliary PL secretion. In control rats, there was a steady state in bile flow. PL secretion and the biliary secretion of newly synthesized phosphatidylcholine (PC). The specific radioactivity of PC in bile was significantly higher than in plasma, microsomes and canalicular membranes. DHCA infusion decreased biliary PC secretion rate by 80%, and secretion returned to normal values at the transport maximum of CA. The specific radioactivity of biliary PC was decreased by 30% by DHCA infusion and reached normal values during CA infusion. There were no significant changes in the specific radioactivity of PC in plasma or cellular organelles during infusion of bile acids. These data indicate that: (1) newly synthesized PC contributes a small percentage to biliary PC; thus a preformed pool (microsomal and extrahepatic) is a major source of biliary PL; (2) the contribution of the extrahepatic pool to the biliary PL may be more important than the microsomal pool.

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate-induced permeability of hepatic tight junctions to proteins

We have studied the early action of 1-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) in relation to its effect on the permeability barrier formed by hepatic tight junctions. Materials having different Mr values [inulin (5000), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (40,000), ovalbumin (also 40,000) and pig gamma-globulin (IgG) (160,000)] were individually pulsed, within 1 min, into perfused rat livers operating under single-pass conditions. In untreated rats, a small peak of HRP and ovalbumin and a comparatively larger peak of inulin were observed in the bile at 7 min. In rats treated with ANIT, with increasing duration of ANIT treatment the inulin peak increased proportionally, whereas the HRP and ovalbumin peaks remained unchanged until after 10 h of ANIT exposure; gamma-globulin was not detected in the 7 min bile sample until after 14 h of ANIT treatment. Bile flow in all rats remained approximately the same until after 14 h of ANIT pretreatment, when substantial bile-flow reduction was observed. Phenobarbitone pretreatment increased the effect of ANIT and massively elevated the first HRP peak; it also shortened the time (to 4 h) at which the increase in permeability to this protein was observed. In contrast, the first HRP peak was virtually abolished in rats that had received the mixed-function-oxidase inhibitor SKF 525A. These experiments suggest that (i) ANIT progressively increased the permeability of the junctional barrier before the reduction in bile flow, (ii) the ANIT-increased permeability change seems to be inversely dependent upon the Mr of the infused proteins, and (iii) metabolites of ANIT were involved in the development of the junctional permeability change.

Intrahepatic sources of biliary-like micelles

To study the hepatocellular origins of biliary lipids, bile acid-lipid micelles were isolated from rat liver subfractions in vitro by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography, using 10 mM sodium taurocholate in the column eluant. Micelles of similar size to biliary micelles were obtained from microsome suspensions and from Golgi content that had been isolated in 5 mM sodium taurocholate-containing subcellular fractionation media. The phospholipid composition of these "biliary-like' micelles was similar but not identical to that of biliary micelles; cholesterol was detected in the micelles from Golgi content but not microsomes. 'Biliary-like' micelles could not be isolated from plasma membranes (including highly purified canalicular membranes), Golgi membranes or liver cytosol. These data suggest that biliary lipid micelles (or micelle precursors) may originate from the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.

Control of biliary phospholipid secretion. Effect of continuous and discontinuous infusion of taurocholate on biliary phospholipid secretion

A major determinant of biliary lipid secretion is bile-salt secretion. Taurocholate (TC), a micelle-forming bile salt, was infused continuously at different rates in both isolated perfused livers and biliary-fistula rats. In both of these systems, infusion of TC brought about an elevated secretion of phosphatidylcholine for the duration of the TC infusion period. Initial phospholipid/bile-salt ratios in the bile were higher in the whole-animal model than in isolated livers, but at the higher infusion rates both secreted approx. 6 mol of phospholipid for every 100 mol of bile salt. The secretion of phospholipid, which was maintained even at high rates of bile-salt infusion, suggest a continuous and regulated phospholipid supply and secretion mechanism. In contrast, however, multiple short pulses of TC to the perfused liver, which brought about relatively equal biliary bile-salt output pulses, did not bring about equal phospholipid outputs, since the phospholipid peak size declined with each bile-salt pulse. These experiments taken together suggest either that a threshold (intracellular) bile-salt concentration may be required to 'switch-on' the phospholipid supply and that it may need to be maintained for continuous biliary phospholipid supply to the canalicular membrane.

Phospholipid degradation in, and protein content of, rat fistula bile. Contamination of bile with pancreatic juice

The extent to which pancreatic juice can contaminate bile collected from a rat with a biliary fistula has been investigated by cannulating the bile duct proximal to either the duodenum or the liver, and by stimulating pancreatic flow with secretin. Bile collected via a fistula proximal to the duodenum showed marked pancreatic contamination. Thus, bile collected via a fistula proximal to the duodenum has a higher flow rate, a greater total protein and amylase content and a different polypeptide profile than bile collected via a fistula proximal to the liver. The phospholipid content also differed in that phosphatidylcholine was converted enzymically to lysophosphatidylcholine. Secretin increased bile flow and the biliary output of total protein and amylase when the fistula was proximal to the duodenum, but had no effect upon these parameters when the fistula was proximal to the liver, or in the isolated perfused rat liver.

Postobstructive subcellular organelle and biliary lipid composition in the rat. A selective increase in biliary lecithin output is not reflected by changes in organelle composition

Rats infused intravenously with taurocholate shortly after relief of 48 h of biliary obstruction excrete in bile twice as much phospholipid in relation to cholesterol and bile acid as controls. In an effort to identify a subcellular compartment as the source of this biliary lipid, we examined several hepatic subcellular organelles for an increase in phospholipid to cholesterol ratio or an increase in biliary-type lecithins (16:0-18:2; 16:0-20:4) either absolute or relative to non-biliary-type lecithins (18:0-20:4; 18:0-22:6) as analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Subcellular fractions studied were: three microsomal subfractions, Golgi heavy and intermediate fractions, and plasma membrane light (canaliculus-enriched) fraction. No organelle fraction from rats with biliary obstruction displayed either a significant increase in phospholipid to cholesterol ratio or a relative or absolute increase in biliary type lecithin. This suggests that biliary lipid changes are not attributable to measurable alterations in lipid composition of any anatomical compartment in the liver cells; changes are probably more related to changes in lipid turnover than to organelle total lipid pool sizes.

Rapid kinetic analysis of the bile-salt-dependent secretion of phospholipid, cholesterol and a plasma-membrane enzyme into bile

Isolated rat livers were perfused under 'one-pass' conditions and bile was collected at 1 min intervals. After 1 min pulse, taurocholate appeared in the collected bile within 2 min, peak output occurring 2 min later. In contrast, the increased output of phospholipids and cholesterol was slower, peak output occurring 6-11 min after the original pulse of taurocholate. These results suggest that mixed micelles cannot be formed inside the cell or during passage of bile salts through the membrane, since bile salt and lipids should then parallel each other. The bile salts must therefore be pumped into the lumen and the lipids added subsequently, due to the actions of the bile salts in the canalicular lumen. It is suggested that the biliary lipid is obtained from microdomains of biliary-type lipid in the canaliculus membrane, which are vesiculated and solubilized by the action of bile salts. It is also suggested that this biliary-type lipid is brought continuously to the membrane via vesicle traffic; this traffic is increased during increased bile-salt output, and is a process that can be inhibited by colchicine.

Biliary proteins

The study of biliary proteins has grown enormously in the last 10 years. Although much has been recently learned about the nature, origin and hepatobiliary transport of these proteins, little is known of their function in bile or their effect on its physical state. This review will focus on description of the proteins and mechanisms by which they are secreted into bile.

Effect of chenodeoxycholate feeding upon the biliary output of plasma membrane enzymes in the rat

In model experiments using human erythrocytes, glycochenodeoxycholate caused extensive membrane damage (as judged by release of membrane phospholipid and acetylcholinesterase and by cell lysis) at approximately 10-fold lower concentrations than glycocholate. Chenodeoxycholate feeding had no effect upon the total protein, bile salt or phospholipid concentration of rat bile, although evidence is presented to suggest an expansion of the bile salt pool occurred. Rats fed chenodeoxycholate showed a dose-dependent enrichment of this bile acid in bile; this occurred mainly at the expense of cholate. Chenodeoxycholate feeding resulted in an increased biliary output of the plasma membrane enzymes alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase; the hepatic activities of these enzymes were also increased. In contrast, the biliary output and hepatic activities of two other plasma membrane enzymes, alkaline phosphodiesterase I and L-leucine-beta-naphthylamidase, were unaffected by chenodeoxycholate feeding. A greater proportion of all four plasma membrane enzymes studied existed in bile of chenodeoxycholate-fed rats in a "soluble" form (as judged by their remaining in the supernatant on centrifugation of bile). These results are discussed in relation to the origin of plasma membrane enzymes in bile and to the potential toxicity of chenodeoxycholate and its conjugates to the membranes of the hepatobiliary system.

Ferritin immunoelectron microscopic localization of 5'-nucleotidase on rat liver cell surface

Rat livers were prefixed by perfusion with 0.6% glutaraldehyde and briefly homogenized with a Teflon-glass homogenizer. The prefixed cells isolated by low-speed centrifugation in high yield effectively preserved the original polygonal shape and polarity. These cells were incubated with ferritin-antibody conjugates monospecific for rat liver 5'-nucleotidase, and the localization of the enzymes on the surface of hepatocytes and endothelial cells was quantitatively investigated. It was revealed that the surface density of 5'-nucleotidase is much higher on the bile canalicular surface than on the sinusoidal surface and only a few ferritin particles were detected on the lateral surface. On the bile canalicular surface ferritin particles were almost exclusively found on the microvilli in larger clusters. Similar distribution was also observed on the sinusoidal surface but the size of cluster was much smaller. On both surfaces many fewer ferritin particles were found on the intermicrovillar region, including the coated pits region, than on the microvillar region. Ferritin particles were also found on the endothelial cell surface.

Influence of acute injection of chloroquine on the biliary secretion of lipids and lysosomal enzyme on rats

Phospholipids and cholesterol combine with a protein fraction (IgA and an acid polypeptide) in bile to form the bile lipoprotein complex. We wished to determine whether lysosomes participated only on IgA secretion or if their secretory role also involved the lipid components of the bile complex. This aspect was studied with a single acute injection of chloroquine, a lysosomotropic drug. The results show that a nonnegligible quantity of IgA travels through the lysosomes. In addition, phospholipid and cholesterol levels undergo a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease 1 hr after injection before increasing to normal levels. In contrast to the total inhibition of protein secretion (beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase), a transitory decrease of the secretion of bile lipids takes place that suggest secretory mechanisms involving organelles other than lysosomes.

Evidence for the hepatic origin of a major azo dye metabolite-binding protein from rat bile

Small amounts of metabolite-binding protein (MBP) originally characterized from the bile were detected in rat serum and cytosol by an indirect enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay. The site of MBP synthesis was shown to be the liver based upon results of (1) the in vitro translation of liver poly(A)+ mRNA, followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-MBP sera and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography of the immunoprecipitate, and (2) immunoprecipitation of bile collected from [3H]leucine perfused liver in situ and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography of the immunoprecipitate. To determine whether part of the MBP in bile is derived from the circulation, [125I]MBP was injected intravenously and bile was collected and subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Intact [125]MBP was not detected in bile even though several other iodinated bile proteins were taken up by the liver from the circulation and secreted intact into the bile under similar experimental conditions. These data indicate that MBP is synthesized in the liver and secreted into the bile and circulation independently. In addition, MBP was not found in brain, spleen or kidneys.

Purification and characterization of a novel abundant protein in rat bile that binds azo dye metabolites and copper

Following intravenous administration to rats of the azo dye hepatocarcinogen 3'-methyl-N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazo-[14C]benzene, 60-70% of the injected dose was recovered in bile in 2 h. Approximately 10% of bile radioactivity was trichloroacetic acid-precipitable, not extracted by n-butanol and non-dialyzable. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of bile followed by fluorography revealed two major and several minor proteins to which radiolabelled azo dye metabolites were bound; one of these major proteins (50 kDa) was purified from bile and shown to be homogeneous by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing (pI 7) under denaturing conditions and N-terminal analysis. The protein (MBP) comprises 15% of the total bile protein. Amino acid analysis revealed a preponderance of acidic and hydrophobic amino acids. The absorption spectrum of the native protein had a major peak at 280 nm and minor peaks at 345, 400, 600 and 650 nm. The fluorescence spectrum showed a major excitation maxima at 285 and 350 nm and corresponding emission maxima at 345 and 440 nm. Atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed 5 atoms of Cu per mol protein. Approximately 90% of the Cu was EPR silent. MBP did not react with antisera directed against rat serum IgA, albumin or ceruloplasmin; nor did these proteins react against antisera to MBP. Seven distinct peptide bands ranging from 5 to 18 kDa were obtained when MBP was subjected to CNBr cleavage and the digests were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The [14C]-Me-DAB derived radioactivity was present in only two of the peptides, indicating specific binding sites for azodye metabolites.

Role of the liver in clearance and excretion of circulating carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

CEA is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 200,000 containing 55%-65% carbohydrate. The removal of only two sialic acid residues result in rapid uptake from the circulation by the liver and catabolism in the lysosomes. There is a receptor on the plasma membrane of the hepatocyte (hepatic binding protein) which recognizes galactosyl residues. About 70% of 125I-labeled intact CEA is cleared by the liver in 1 hr. The exposure of terminal galactose residues by removing sialic acids determines the rate of clearance. CEA is probably initially taken up by Kupffer cells and transferred to hepatocytes. About 10% of CEA added to an isolated perfused liver appears in bile. Biliary duct obstruction and cholestasis may elevate plasma CEA levels due to detergent effects on the liver cell receptors.

Histochemistry of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in human liver biopsies

The histochemical activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is examined in human liver biopsy specimens in normal and pathological conditions. Different histochemical patterns can be recognized. In histologically normal liver a faint sinusoidal membrane staining is observed. In pathological liver tissue invariably a pronounced canalicular gamma-GT activity is detected in addition to the faint sinusoidal membrane activity. The canalicular staining pattern is variable in extent and staining intensity, without clear correlation with specific disease entities. Cases with severe degrees of cholestasis, however, show a "washed-out" appearance of the tissue, apparently parallel to the degree of cholestasis. This phenomenon may be explained by the detergent action of bile salts accumulating in cholestatic tissue.

Enzymes and proteins in bile. Variations in output in rat cannula bile during and after depletion of the bile-salt pool

The protein concentration in bile from several species is reported. The changes in output of protein, bile salts and several enzymes have been followed in rat bile over a 48 h cannulation period. Bile-salt concentration dropped rapidly owing to interruption of the enterohepatic circulation but the output of protein, lysosomal enzymes [acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) and beta-D-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31)] and plasma-membrane enzymes [5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) and phosphodiesterase I (EC 3.1.4.1)] was maintained. Liver cell damage, monitored by output of lactate dehydrogenase, was very low throughout. Protein, lysosomal enzymes and plasma-membrane enzymes showed different patterns of output with time, but all showed a net increase between 12 and 24 h. The output of lysosomal and plasma-membrane enzymes was between 1 and 5% of the total liver complement over the first 24 h; if inhibition by biliary components is taken into account the output of some of these enzymes, particularly acid phosphatase, may be greater. Ultracentrifugation of bile showed that as the concentration of bile salts decreases the proportion of plasma-membrane enzymes in a sedimentable form increases. The results are discussed in relation to other studies of biliary proteins and to studies of the perturbation of membranes and cells with bile salts.

Studies on the mechanisms of biliary excretion of circulating glycoproteins. The carcinoembryonic antigen

The transport of carcinoembryonic antigen from the circulation of the bile has been studied in the rat. Biliary excretion was directly proportional to the intravenously administered dose. Approximately 1-1.5% of the injected is excreted in the bile. Asialo-(carcinoembryonic antigen), asialo-fetuin and asialo-(alpha 1-acid glycoprotein) behaved similarly. The transit time through the liver for both native- and asialo-(carcinoembryonic antigen) was calculated as 47 min. Sialic acid content was not affected during biliary excretion. Glycoproteins that entered the liver cell lysosomes were not excreted in ther bile. A mechanism by which circulating proteins may by-pass the hepatocytes before being excreted in bile is suggested. Alternative mechanisms of protein entry into bile are discussed.

A morphometric study on growth of bile canaliculi after partial hepatectomy

19-33 h after partial hepatectomy there is a time-dependent increase of the bile canalicular luminal volume, of the total length of bile canaliculi, and of their non-microvillous, smooth surface, when measured per unit volume of lobular parenchyma. On average the luminal volume fraction is increased by a factor of 2.8, the length per volume by a factor of 1.4, and the density of smooth surface by a factor of 2.0, when compared with sham-operated controls. On the other hand, the volume and surface density of bile canalicular microvilli are only slightly increased after partial hepatectomy. These findings are interpreted as indicating disproportional growth of bile canaliculi which is due predominantly to the formation of new, at first non-microvillous, membrane.

Mechanism of elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase activity in biliary obstruction: an experimental study

Bile duct ligation in rats increased alkaline phosphatase activity in serum and liver. In the serum, the activity reached a peak 24 h after bile duct ligation, earlier than in the liver. This finding indicates that the elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase activity is not due to simple overspill of this enzyme from the liver into the circulation. An electrophoretic study, employing polyacrylamide gel with Triton X-100, and a gel filtration study disclosed that 24 h after bile duct ligation the serum contained a high molecular weight form of alkaline phosphatase in addition to the hepatic and intestinal isoenzymes. The high molecular weight form was also found in bile, indicating that regurgitation of bile contributed to the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum. The absence of the high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase in the sera of rats with intrahepatic cholestasis induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate suggests that, in this type of cholestasis, regurgitation of bile alkaline phosphatase does not play an important role in the elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase activity. These findings indicate that the high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase in serum is a useful diagnostic marker of biliary obstruction.

Redistribution of membrane proteins in isolated mouse intestinal epithelial cells

Single mouse intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) may be isolated by the use of a combination of methods used for the isolation of IEC from other species. Isolated cells remain viable for several hours. The membrane integral enzymes alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase of isolated IEC are localized to the brush borders of IEC in tissue and in most newly isolated IEC. With time, both enzymes are found distributed over the entire cell surface. Redistribution appears to occur by diffusion in the plane of the membrane. It is slowed, but not blocked, if cells are maintained at 0 degrees C instead of at 37 degrees C, and it is not blocked by fixation in 0.5-3% paraformaldehyde. Drugs that alter cell membrane potential or that affect cell levels of ATP enhance the rate of redistribution of the enzymes.

Effects of bile salts on the plasma membranes of isolated rat hepatocytes

The conjugated trihydroxy bile salts glycocholate and taurocholate removed approx. 20--30% of the plasma-membrane enzymes 5'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphatase and alkaline phosphodiesterase I from isolated hepatocytes before the onset of lysis, as judged by release of the cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. The conjugated dihydroxy bile salt glycodeoxycholate similarly removed 10--20% of the 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase activities, but not alkaline phosphodiesterase activity; this bile salt caused lysis of hepatocytes at approx. 10-fold lower concentrations (1.5--2.0mM) than either glycocholate or taurocholate (12--16mM). At low concentrations (7 mM), glycocholate released these enzymes in a predominantly particulate form, whereas at higher concentrations (15 mM) glycocholate further released these components in a predominantly 'soluble' form. Inclusion of 1% (w/v) bovine serum albumin in the incubations had a small protective effect on the release of enzymes from hepatocytes by glycodeoxycholate, but not by glycocholate. These observations are discussed in relation to the possible role of bile salts in the origin of some biliary proteins.

Altered hepatobiliary transport of taurocholic acid in aged rats

Hepatobiliary transport of taurocholic acid was studied in adult (3 months) and old (2 years) rats using an isolated perfused rat liver technique in order to determine the effect of age on hepatic uptake and secretion of bile acids simultaneously. The results were analyzed using a steady-state compartmental model to estimate the uptake and secretion of taurocholic acid. Hepatic secretion was decreased to a greater extent than the uptake in old rats. These changes in transport activities were associated with increases in perfusate and liver bile acid pool sizes. These results can explain the decrease in total pool size and synthesis rate of bile acids observed previously in old rats using in vivo studies. It has been suggested that the age-dependent decrease in bile acid transport capacity of the liver is secondary to the altered lipid composition of the liver plasma membranes of old rats.

Coordinate secretion of acid hydrolases in rat bile

Three lysosomal glycosidases, beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31), beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23), and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) have been investigated in bile that was freshly collected from rats through a complete bile fistula. Assay conditions have been established on the basis of appropriate kinetic studies. The biliary excretion patterns for these enzymes were found to vary considerably from rat to rat during the 24-h collection period. In a given animal, however, the three hydrolases were excreted in parallel and showed a gradual increase in activity with time, most marked after 10- 12 h of collection. 24-h biliary outputs of the three hydrolases averaged congruent with3% of their respective contents in total liver, and bile diversion had no effect on hepatic glycosidase activity or total protein content. Other enzymes known to be associated primarily with mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and cell sap were also detected in bile, generally in smaller amounts. The biliary excretion of the plasma membrane markers, alkaline phosphodiesterase I and 5'-nucleotidase, however, was comparable to that of the lysosomal hydrolases. Biliary excretion of total protein was relatively constant and corresponded to 3.0% of the total hepatic protein content per day, whereas biliary bile acid secretion decreased during the first 12 h and then remained constant. Exocytic bulk discharge of hepatocyte lysosomes is proposed as the most likely mechanism for the biliary excretion of lysosomal enzymes. These results call attention to the possible pathophysiologic significance of biliary excretion of hepatic lysosomal contents as a means of residue disposal.

Cation-anion gap and choleretic properties of rat bile

To investigate whether bile contains choleretic anion(s) other than bile salts (BS) that could account for the observed cation-anion gap in bile, the choleretic properties of bile were investigated in the rat. Infusion of bile increased bile flow significantly more than did taurocholate (TC) (P less than 0.005). By contrast, TC increased BS excretion more substantially (P less than 0.01). This effect was dose dependent for both bile and TC. The choleretic principle had a molecular weight of less than 1,000 as estimated by ultrafiltration of bile. Infusion of bile that had been chromatographed on BioBeads SM-2 still elicited choleresis, whereas bile that had been chromatographed on Dowex 1 x 50W did not. Administration of bile in vivo did not affect Na+-K+-stimulated ATPase activity in liver plasma membrane fractions. These results suggest that bile contains anion(s) other than 3-hydroxy-BS, which increase bile flow in a dose-dependent fashion without affecting the permeability of the biliary tree. This putative choleretic appears to be anionic in nature, heat stable, and has an apparent molecular weight of less than 1,000. This finding suggested that bile salt-independent bile flow partly depends on the excretion of a currently undefined anion.