The Effect of Slight Hypothermia on Liver Function as Measured by the Elimination Rate of Ethanol, the Hepatic Uptake and Excretion of Indocyanine Green and Bile Formation

Krarup, N. and J. A. Larsen.The effect of slight hypothermia on liver function as measured by the elimination rate of ethanol, the hepatic uptake and excretion of Indocyanine Green and bile formation.Acta physiol. scand. 1972.84.396–407. Liver function was followed by determination of the elimination rate of ethanol, bile flow, the hepatic uptake and excretion of Indocyanine Green and the excretion of bile acids and electrolytes. A fall in the body temperature 1–2oC from normal, was accompanied by a sudden decrease in the elimination rate of ethanol, bile flow and the hepatic uptake and excretion of Indocyanine Green of about 25 per cent. The effect of cooling on bile flow and the elimination rate of ethanol were significantly correlated. The cooling caused only minor effects on the excretion of bile acids and the biliary electrolyte composition. The findings may be explained by intrahepatic vascular changes resulting in a decrease in the number of perfused sinusoids and a corresponding reduction in the functional capacity.