Abnormalities of liver function following extensive jejunoileal bypass and resection in rats.

A greater than 90% jejunoileal bypass similar to the type performed in man for morbid exogenous obesity was performed in 70 adult female Wister rats; in an additional 70 rats a greater than 90% jejunoileal resection was performed. The control group consisted of 46 rats, which were not subjected to any experimental measures. Following operation the bypass group demonstrated a significantly greater weight loss than did the resection group. Total plasma protein, albumin, and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase all decreased from the control in both the resection and bypass groups; the decrease, however, was more significant in the bypass than in the resected group. These results suggest the possible production of a hepatotoxic factor in the excluded small bowel segment.