These studies investigated the ability of twice-daily administration of
cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) to prevent changes in hepatic bile secretory function and bile composition resulting from
total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in young, growing rats. Bile was collected from the common duct before and during i.v. infusion of
sodium taurocholate following 7 days of TPN. TPN resulted in a reduction of hepatic bile flow, reduced bile molar
cholesterol and
phospholipid content, and reduction of the
taurocholate secretory rate maximum (SRm) and
bile salt-independent bile flow (BSIF). Rats treated with
CCK-8 throughout their TPN retained high bile flows, BSIF, and SRm.
CCK-8 at the dose used did not correct abnormalities in the hepatic bile composition or the magnitude of bile flow generated in response to i.v.
taurocholate infusion. These findings suggest that the ability of
CCK-8 to maintain high bile flows during TPN may have prophylactic relevance for prevention of TPN-induced
gallbladder disease. However, these studies also suggest that a component of current TPN systems induces damage to hepatic bile metabolism and excretion that is additional to that due to the reduced stimulation of bile flow that accompanies elimination of oral food intake.