ObjectiveTo study the changes of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) in the serum of Wistar rats with obstructive jaundice and to investigate its potential mechanism.MethodsEighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into obstructive jaundice group (OJ group, n=40） and sham operation group (SO group, n=40）. Before operation and the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th day after common bile duct ligation, the levels of LBP, endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in plasma were detected in all the rats. ResultsLBP levels in serum increased significantly in OJ group on the 10th day after operation compared with those of SO group. Moreover, LBP levels gradually increased in OJ group with the prolongation of obstructive time. A positive correlation existed between serum LBP and plasma endotoxin, TNF-α and IL-6.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that LBP in serum is high and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple organ injury secondary to obstructive jaundice. It may be an appropriate way to treat patients with obstructive jaundice by decreasing LBP levels in serum.