Intrahepatic Cholestasis (IC)

Cholestasis is defined as a decrease in bile flow due to impaired secretion by hepatocytes or to obstruction of bile flow through intra-or extrahepatic bile ducts. Therefore, the clinical definition of cholestasis is any condition in which substances normally excreted into bile are retained. The serum concentrations of conjugated bilirubin and bile salts are the most commonly measured. The histopathologic definition of cholestasis is the appearance of bile within the elements of the liver, usually associated with secondary cell injury. The models for intrahepatic cholestasis are commonly used in the screening and evaluation of activity of a drug for hepatoprotective or jaundice.