The effects of common bile duct ligation on hepatocytes in rats were investigated by light and electron microscopical techniques. Cytoskeletal elements such as actin and cytokeratin were immunohistochemically increased in liver cells after bile duct ligation. Electron microscopical observation revealed that bile canaliculi were rich in microvilli in the control liver, while in the experimental rats, the bile canaliculi were dilated. A decreased number of microvilli and bleb formations were also

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... noted. In the cytoplasm, pericanalicular microfilaments and intermediate filaments were abundant. These findings suggest that increased biliary pressure may affect not only the hepatocellular plasma membrane constituents, but also the filamentous structure in the hepatocyte. Furthermore the congested bile acid affect may be worse after a common bile duct obstruction.