Abstract
Total and low-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was measured in 50-150 ng microdissected liver tissue samples of the entire sinusoidal length. High-Km ALDH activity was calculated by subtracting the low-Km ALDH values from the total ALDH activity. Enzyme activity was measured by a microchemical assay, using the oil-well technique with luminometric determination of NADH. The intra-acinar profiles of high-Km and low-Km ALDH activity could be demonstrated graphically for both male and female rats after 84 h of starvation, and after starvation and refeeding for 6 nights. In addition, the ALDH distribution patterns of juvenile, castrated, and castrated and testosterone-treated rats were determined. It could be demonstrated that starvation, and starvation followed by refeeding, lead to changes in enzyme activity which parallel the loss and regain of liver- and body-weight. The nutritional factors do not essentially alter the normal intra-acinar profiles. In juvenile rats, ALDH is lower by 30% in comparison with the controls, but sex-differences in the distribution profiles are not yet present. Castration has no effect on the amount of enzyme activity but the sex specific distribution profiles are less marked. The main effect of testosterone treatment is an elevation of low-Km ALDH in the perivenous zone. The characteristics of the intra-acinar profiles of high-Km and low-Km ALDH activity are discussed with respect to hepatic acetaldehyde oxidation and alcoholic liver damage.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.