Parenteral nutrition dysregulates bile salt homeostasis in a rat model of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease

Kiran V. K. Koelfat*, Frank G. Schaap, Caroline M. J. M. Hodin, Ruben G. J. Visschers, Bjorn I. Svavarsson, Martin Lenicek, Ronit Shiri-Sverdlov, Kaatje Lenaerts, Steven W. M. Olde Damink*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background & aims: Parenteral nutrition (PN), a lifesaving therapy in patients with intestinal failure, has been associated with hepatobiliary complications including steatosis, cholestasis and fibrosis, collectively known as parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD). To date, the pathogenesis of PNALD is poorly understood and therapeutic options are limited. Impaired bile salt homeostasis has been proposed to contribute PNALD. The objective of this study was to establish a PNALD model in rats and to evaluate the effects of continuous parenteral nutrition (PN) on bile salt homeostasis.

Methods: Rats received either PN via the jugular vein or received normal diet for 3, 7 or 14 days. Serum biochemistry, hepatic triglycerides, circulating bile salts and C4, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and lipogenic and bile salt homeostatic gene expression in liver and ileum were assessed.

Results: PN increased hepatic triglycerides already after 3 days of administration, and resulted in conjugated bilirubin elevation after 7 or more days. This indicates PN-induced steatosis and impaired canalicular secretion of bilirubin, the latter which is in line with reduced hepatic expression of Mrp2 mRNA. There was no histological evidence for liver inflammation after PN administration, and circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha, were comparable in all groups. Hepatic expression of Fxr mRNA was decreased after 7 days of PN, without apparent effect on expression of Fxr targets Bsep and Shp. Nonetheless, Cyp7a1 expression was reduced after 7 days of PN, indicative for lowered bile salt synthesis. Circulating levels of C4 (marker of bile salt synthesis) were also decreased after 3, 7 and 14 days of PN. Levels of circulating bile salts were not affected by PN.

Conclusions: This study showed that PN in rats caused early mild steatosis and cholestasis, while hepatic and systemic inflammation were not present. The onset of these abnormalities was associated with alterations in bile salt synthesis and transport. This animal model serves as an experimental model to further investigate the pathogenesis of PNALD inflicted by steatosis and cholestasis. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1403-1410
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Nutrition
Volume36
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Parenteral nutrition
  • Liver disease
  • Steatosis
  • FXR
  • Bile salt signaling
  • INTESTINAL FAILURE
  • HEPATIC STEATOSIS
  • ACID SYNTHESIS
  • MOUSE MODEL
  • CELL ACTIVATION
  • RECEPTOR FXR
  • CHOLESTASIS
  • MICE
  • HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA
  • PREVALENCE

Cite this