XENOGENEIC ANTIBODIES AGAINST HEPATOCYTE PLASMA-MEMBRANES SUPPRESS BILE SECRETION IN RATS

The action of xenogeneic antibodies against rat hepatocyte plasma membranes which were injected into the portal vein in the dose of 40 mg of protein per kg of body mass on the bile secretion and on the ultrastructure of the liver were studied. It was shown that these antibodies suppressed the bile flow, the secretion of bile acids and cholesterol and decreased the bile salt-independent bile flow. The action of antibodies was accompanied by ultrastructural damage of sinusoidal and lateral plasma membranes of some hepatocytes and by a decrease in the Na+, K+-ATPase activity. It was concluded that the decrease of Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the plasma membranes was the most important mechanism responsible for a decrease in the bile flow.