Hepatocellular apoptosis after hepatectomy in obstructive jaundice in rats

AIM: To investigate the hepatocellular apoptosis after hepatectomy in obstructive jaundice and biliary decompression rats. METHODS: After bile duct ligation for 7 days, rats were randomly divided into OB group in which the rats underwent 70% hepatectomy, OB-CD group in which the rats underwent hepatectomy accompanied by choledochoduodenostomy, CD-Hx group in which the rats underwent choledochoduodenostomy and then received 70% hepatectomy on the fifth day after biliary decompression. The control group (Hx group) only underwent hepatectomy. RESULTS: The level of total serum bilirubin and serum enzymes was significantly lower in CD-Hx group than in OB-CD and OB groups on day 1, 3 and 5 after hepatectomy. The apoptotic index was significantly lower in CD-Hx group than in OB-CD and OB groups on day 3 and 5. The oligonucleosomal DNA fragments and Caspase-3 activity were also lower in CD-Hx group than in OB-CD and OB groups 3 days after hepatectomy, without differences between CD-Hx and Hx groups. CONCLUSION: Hepatocellular apoptosis plays vital roles in jaundice rats, and biliary decompression is more effective in treatment of patients with severe jaundice before operation.