Mechanism of trichloroethylene-induced elevation of individual serum bile acids. I. Correlation of trichloroethylene concentrations to bile acids in rat serum.

The temporal relationship between trichloroethylene (TRI) and individual serum bile acids (SBA) has been investigated to gain insight into the mechanism of solvent-induced increases in SBA. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 1 mmol/kg TRI in corn oil, while control rats received only corn oil. Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta at 2, 4, 8, and 16 hr after dosing. Individual SBA were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Liver and blood concentrations of TRI and one of its metabolites, trichloroethanol (TCEOH), were determined by gas chromatography. SBA levels reached their peak at 4 hr and returned to control levels by 16 hr. There was a relationship between SBA levels and TRI concentrations, which were also at their peak 4 hr after dosing. By 16 hr the levels were undetectable. However, peak blood concentrations of TCEOH were reached 8 hr after dosing, and remained high at 16 hr. Cholic acid and taurocholic acid showed the highest levels of bile acids. Some other bile acids were also elevated, including deoxycholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and taurochenodeoxycholic acid. Determination of total bile acids in serum using an enzymatic/colorimetric method showed a similar pattern of response to that obtained with the HPLC analysis. The data are consistent with TRI having a rapid and specific effect on SBA levels by a mechanism other than liver cell damage.