The effect of cisapride on total parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in rats.

BACKGROUND Cholestasis is a frequent problem in patients on total parenteral nutrition. Cisapride has a prokinetic effect on the biliary system, but its effect on hepatic excretory function is unknown. OBJECTIVES To study the effect of cisapride on TPN-induced cholestasis in a rat model. METHODS Bile flow and bile salt secretion rate were measured in rats given TPN. There were four groups of 8 to 13 animals each. After a one hour baseline period during which all four groups received i.v. saline infusion, two groups received a TPN solution for another 2 hours, while saline was infused in the two control groups. At the beginning of the second hour, 2 mg/kg cisapride was injected i.v. as a bolus into one experimental and one control group. Bile was collected from the common bile duct. RESULTS At the end of the third hour, TPN caused a significant reduction in bile flow (P < 0.02) and bile salt secretion rate (P < 0.001) (61.24 vs. 50.74 microliters/min/kg, and 1.173 vs. 0.799 mumol/min/kg, respectively). Addition of cisapride abolished the cholestatic effect of TPN. CONCLUSIONS Cisapride has a protective effect against TPN-associated cholestasis. This may have clinical significance, and further studies are warranted.