Biliary excretion of bile acids and organic anions in zone 1-and zone 3-injured rats

Aims: Hepatocytes in zone 1 of the hepatic lobule play a role in the uptake and biliary excretion of bile acids and organic anions under physiological conditions, and those in zone 3 may play a role only with a high-dose load. To further elucidate the role of hepatic zonation on the handling of bile acids and organic anions, biliary excretion of these compounds was studied in zone 1- and zone 3-injured rats. Methods: Biliary excretion of bile acids and organic anions was studied in zone 1- and zone 3-injured rats, caused by allyl alcohol and bromobenzene, respectively. Results: Biliary excretion of a tracer dose of taurocholate was unchanged in the injury in both zones, but that of leukotriene C-4 was decreased in zone 1 injury. The excretory maximum of taurocholate was decreased with zone 1 and the zone 3 injuries. Biliary excretion of deoxycholate metabolites was decreased in zone 3 injury, although the profile of metabolites in the bile was unchanged. Sulfobromophthalein excretion was decreased in zone 1 injury, but unchanged in zone 3 injury. Conclusions: These findings indicate that zone 1 is very important for biliary excretion of both organic anions and bile acids. In contrast, zone 3 is considered not to have a role in biliary excretion of organic anions, but to play a role in the excretion of bile acids.