Publication

Viscosity of human bile sampled from the common bile duct

Journal Paper/Review - Jan 1, 2010

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Reinhart W, Naef G, Werth B. Viscosity of human bile sampled from the common bile duct. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2010; 44:177-82.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2010; 44
Publication Date
Jan 1, 2010
Issn Electronic
1875-8622
Pages
177-82
Brief description/objective

Cholestasis is a frequent gastroenterological problem, which is tackled by endoscopic procedures. Little is known about bile viscosity, a major determinant of its flow. We measured the viscosity of bile from the common bile duct during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Bile was aspirated immediately after cannulation of the papilla and deep-frozen. Viscosity was measured with a rotational viscometer at 37 degrees C and a broad range of shear rates (0.08-69.5 s(-1)). The majority of the 138 patients (64.5%) had bile viscosities between water (0.7 mPa.s) and the lower limit of plasma (1.1 mPa.s). In 20 patients (14.5%) it was above that of plasma (>1.4 mPa.s), and showed a non-Newtonian behaviour, i.e. the viscosity increased exponentially with decreasing shear rate. Cholecystectomized patients had a lower bile viscosity. Bile viscosities did not differ between patient groups with either choledocholithiasis, sludge, cholangitis, biliary pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinoma, or cholangiocarcinoma. We conclude that bile viscosity in the common bile duct is usually lower than that of plasma, in 15% it is higher and increases exponentially with decreasing flow rate, which may lead to a vicious cycle.