Amino acids metabolism of growing tissues: I. Alanine-glutamic acid transaminase activity of regenerating rat liver

Abstract

1. 1. Both the forward and reverse alanine-glutamic acid transamination reactions of normal adult and regenerating rat liver were studied. 2. 2. After 24 hours regeneration the transaminase activity increased to 150 per cent of the normal value when expressed as QT N. The QT wet weight did not alter significantly. 3. 3. At 48 hours after hepatectomy the QT N value was still significantly higher than the QT N of a normal adult liver. QT wet weight again showed no significant change. 4. 4. Seventy-two hours after hepatectomy the QT N is decreased to the level of normal adult tissue. 5. 5. The results are discussed with special reference to the correlation of transaminase activity and protein synthesis.