Influence of fever on biliary elements of guinea pigs

Abstract

AIM: To study the influence of fever on biliary elements and gallstone formation in guinea pigs.

METHODS: Sixty guinea pigs were randomly divided and fed either a lithogenic diet (to induce gallstone formation) or a normal diet (for use as the non-gallstone controls), and each group was then subdivided into fever or non-fever subgroups. The fever condition was induced by subcutaneous injection of boiled non-fat milk (1 mL/kg, once a week for 4 wk). After 45 d, all the animals were euthanized for analysis; however, 36 h prior to euthanasia, the guinea pigs in the fever subgroups were injected subcutaneously with turpentine (1 mL/kg) to maintain the fever condition. Gallbladder lumens were examined and bile samples were analyzed.

RESULTS: Gallstone incidence was highest (40%, 6/15) in the group of animals that were fed the lithogenic diet and had fever. Compared to the non-fever subgroups, the fever subgroups had significantly higher total bile protein and bilirubin.

CONCLUSION: Fever influences biliary elements and may contribute to gallstone formation in guinea pigs.

Key Words: Fever; Bile/metabolism; Bilirubin/metabolism; Cholelithiasis/etiology; Proteins/metabolism