Bile Secretion in Mice

The effect on bile secretion of a candidate compound can be studied in mice by weighing the gall bladder filled with bile. This simple method was first published by Litvinchuk (1976). With respect to the safety assessment of candidate compounds a decreased bile secretion (compound-induced cholestasis) predominantly represents a safety issue. 

The average of secreted bile in groups of 10 treated mice is compared with the average value of the control group using appropriate statistical methods. 

CRITICAL ASSESSEMENT OF THE METHOD The method has the clear advantage of simplicity but does not measure the true bile excretion since the outflow from the bile bladder during the test period is neglected. 

Sterczer et al. (1996) studied the effect of cholagogues on the volume of the gallbladder in healthy dogs fasted for 24 hours by two-dimensional ultrasonography. The volume was measured immediately before the administration of each test substance and at 10-min intervals for 120 min thereafter. 

Sterczer A, Voros K, Karsal F (1996) Effect of cholagogues on the volume of the gallbladder of dogs. Res Vet Sci 60 44-47 

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