Plasma Disappearance of Conjugated and Unconjugated C14 Bilirubin in the Rat with Obstructive Jaundice

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Abstract
Unconjugated (C14)-bilirubin was administered intravenously to rats with complete biliary obstruction. The plasma disappearance curves of both the conjugated and unconjugated (C14)-bilirubin fractions were determined using a modified Weber and Schalm technique. More than 70% of the (C14)-bilirubin radioactivity in the plasma was present as conjugated(C14)-bilirubin after 15-30 min. of injecting the unconjugated label. The biological half life of unconjugated (C14)-bilirubin averaged 53 hr. while that of the conjugated form 34 hr. This difference could be explained by the clearance of conjugated (C14)-bilirubin by the kidney.