Hepatic Adenine Nucleotides Research Articles

Maintenance of liver glycogen during long-term fasting preserves energy state in mice.

Glycogen shortage during fasting coincides with dramatic changes in hepatic adenine nucleotide levels. The aim of this work was to study the relevance of liver glycogen in the regulation of the hepatic energy state during food deprivation. To this end, we examined the response of mice with sustained increased liver glycogen content to prolonged fasting. In order to increase hepatic glycogen content, we generated mice that overexpress protein targeting to glycogen (PTG) in the liver (PTGOE mice). Control and PTGOE mice were fed adlibitum or fasted for 36h.Upon fasting, PTGOE mice retained significant hepatic glycogen stores and maintained hepatic energy status.Furthermore, we show that liver glycogen controls insulin sensitivity, gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism, and ketogenesis upon nutrient deprivation.

The Effect of Antagonism of Adenosine A1 Receptor Against Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury of the Liver

Adenosine is known to exert protective roles in hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury, while all adenosine receptors do not play the cytoprotective roles. We have tested our hypothesis that blockage of adenosine binding to A(1) receptor by its antagonist, KW3902 [8-(noradamantan-3-yl)-1,3-dipropylxanthine] attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Adult female beagle dogs underwent a 2 h total hepatic vascular exclusion (THVE) with a venovenous bypass. Nontreated animals that underwent THVE with a venovenous bypass alone were used as the control (Group CT, n=6). KW3902 was given to the animals by continuous intraportal infusion for 60 min before ischemia at a dose of 1 microg/kg/min (Group KW, n=6). Two wk survival, hemodynamics, hepatic tissue blood flow (HTBF), liver function, energy metabolism, cAMP concentration, and histopathological findings were studied. Two wk animal survival was significantly improved in group KW compared with that in group CT (group CT: 16.7% versus group KW: 83.3%). HTBF, liver function, and hepatic adenine nucleotide concentration were remarkably better in group KW than group CT. In addition, cAMP concentration in group KW was maintained significantly higher than group CT. Histopathological examination revealed preservation of hepatic architecture and suppression of neutrophil infiltration into hepatic tissue in group KW. Administration of adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist before ischemia attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. To elicit the beneficial effect of adenosine against ischemia and reperfusion injury of the liver, it is important to oppose adenosine A1 receptor activation.

Intense exercise induces the degradation of adenine nucleotide and purine nucleotide synthesis via de novo pathway in the rat liver

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of intense exercise on the metabolism of adenine nucleotides in the liver. In the first experiment, to determine the degradation of adenine nucleotides, hepatic adenine nucleotides of rats were labeled by an intraperitoneal administration of 15N-labeled adenine the day before treadmill running to exhaustion. In the second experiment, to determine the de novo synthesis of purine nucleotides after intense exercise, 14C-glycine was intraperitoneally administered to rats performing intense running on a treadmill. In the first experiment, hepatic levels of ATP and total adenine nucleotides showed a reduction immediately after exercise. In contrast, hepatic levels of AMP, adenosine, hypoxanthine and uric acid showed an increase immediately after exercise. The hepatic 15N level continued to decline during the recovery period after exercise. Urinary excretion of 15N-urate was 40% higher in the exercised rats than in the control rats. In the second experiment, the radioactivity of 14C detected in the fraction of hepatic urate and allantoin was approximately 300% higher in the exercised rats than in the control rats. 14C-radioactivity that excreted into urine as urate and allantoin was approximately 200% higher in the exercised rats. Intense exercise led to the degradation of hepatic adenine nucleotides, which were not utilized for the re-synthesis of nucleotide and further degraded to hypoxanthine or uric acid. Intense exercise induced the synthesis of purine nucleotides in the liver via a de novo pathway and these synthesized nucleotides were also degraded to nucleosides and excreted into urine.

Effect of ischemic preconditioning on P-selectin expression in hepatocytes of rats with cirrhotic ischemia-reperfusion injury

To investigate the effects and mechanisms of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of liver cirrhosis in rats and the effect of IPC on P-selectin expression in hepatocytes. Forty male SD rats with liver cirrhosis were randomly divided into sham operation group (SO group), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group), ischemic preconditioning group (IPC group), L-Arginine preconditioning group (APC group), L-NAME preconditioning group (NPC group), eight rats in each group. Hepatocellular viability was assessed by hepatic adenine nucleotide level and energy charge (EC) determined by HPLC, ALT, AST and LDH in serum measured by auto- biochemical analyzer and bile output. The expression of P-selectin in the liver tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemical technique. Leukocyte count in ischemic hepatic lobe was calculated. At 120 min after reperfusion, the level of ATP and EC in IPC and APC groups was higher than that in I/R group significantly. The increases in AST, ALT and LDH were prevented in IPC and APC groups. The livers produced more bile in IPC group than in I/R group during 120 min after reperfusion (0.101+/-0.027 versus 0.066+/-0.027 ml/g liver, P=0.002). There was a significant difference between APC and I/R groups, (P=0.001). The leukocyte count in liver tissues significantly increased in I/R group as compared with SO group (P<0.05). The increase in the leukocyte count was prevented in IPC group. Administration of L-arginine resulted in the same effects as in IPC group. However, inhibition of NO synthesis (NPC group) held back the beneficial effects of preconditioning. Significant promotion of P-selectin expression in hepatocytes in the I/R group was observed compared with the SO group (P<0.01). IPC or L-arginine attenuated P-selectin expression remarkably (P<0.01). However, inhibition of NO synthesis enhanced P-selectin expression (P<0.01). The degree of P-selectin expression was positively correlated with the leukocyte counts infiltrating in liver (r=0.602, P=0.000). IPC can attenuate the damage induced by I/R in cirrhotic liver and increase the ischemic tolerance of the rats with liver cirrhosis. IPC can abolish I/R induced leukocyte adhesion and infiltration by preventing post-ischemic P-selectin expression in the rats with liver cirrhosis via a NO-initiated pathway.

Hepatic energy charge and adenine nucleotide status in rats anesthetized with halothane, isoflurane or enflurane.

Volatile anesthetics are known to have varying effects on hepatic oxygen supply in vivo and have been shown to depress hepatic mitochondrial respiration and so energy charge in vitro. However, the effect of halothane, isoflurane and enflurane on hepatic adenine nucleotide status in vivo has not been evaluated. Ninety male rats were exposed to 40% oxygen (n = 22) or 40% oxygen in equipotent (1 MAC) concentrations of halothane (1%) (n = 23), isoflurane (1.4%) (n = 22) or enflurane (2%) (n = 23) for 2 hours. All animals were then administered intraperitoneal pentobarbital and anesthesia continued and laparotomy was performed. A liver biopsy was taken for determination of hepatocellular adenosine-5-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine-5-diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine-5-monophosphate (AMP) and computation of energy charge (EC) from ¿(ATP + 1/2ADP)+(ATP + ADP + AMP)¿ and total adenine nucleotides (TAN) from (ATP + ADP + AMP). After the biopsy the aorta was cannulated for blood sampling. Rats in each group were similar in weight, as well as acid base and blood gas status just after liver biopsy. Hepatic energy charge, ATP, ADP, AMP, and TAN levels were not different in animals receiving either halothane, isoflurane or enflurane when compared with those receiving only oxygen. One MAC of anesthesia for a period of 2 hours with the described volatile anesthetic agents did not affect adenine nucleotide status in vivo in rats.

Hepatic allograft procurement from non-heart-beating donors: limits of warm ischemia in porcine liver transplantation.

To investigate the tolerance to warm ischemia of liver grafts from non-heart-beating donors, porcine orthotopic liver transplantation was performed using grafts obtained at various periods after cardiac arrest. Graft viability was investigated in relation to changes in hepatic adenine nucleotide metabolism. In donors, livers were divided into four groups according to warm ischemic time after cardiac arrest (group 1: 0 min, n=3; group 2: 30 min, n=3; group 3: 60 min, n=5; group 4: 90 min, n=4). Thereafter, the livers were flushed and preserved for 4 hr using 4 degrees C Euro-Collins solution. After surgery, all of the recipients in groups 1, 2, and 3 survived more than 4 days, except for one pig in group 3 that died of bleeding from an arterial catheter on day 2. By contrast, all of the recipients in group 4 died within 12 hr. The serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase concentration at 4 hr after reperfusion of the graft was significantly higher in group 4 (mean+/-SE, 2563+/-556 IU/L) than in groups 1, 2, and 3 (298+/-29 IU/L, 1226+/-222 IU/L, and 1181+/-174 IU/L, respectively). The adenylate energy charge of the liver graft recovered at 1 hr after reperfusion of the graft to 0.852+/-0.013, 0.845+/-0.003, and 0.842+/-0.003 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The recovery was significantly suppressed in group 4 (0.796+/-0.011). The hepatic adenosine triphosphate concentration also was significantly lower in group 4 compared with the other groups. The present study suggests that liver allografts can be used from non-heart-beating donors subjected to warm ischemia for less than 60 min. Postoperative survival is associated with prompt recovery of the adenylate energy charge of the liver graft.

Hepatic adenine nucleotides and microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in the obstructed and freely draining lobes of the liver after selective bile duct obstruction.

The effect of selective bile duct obstruction (SBDO) on hepatic reserve function of the bile duct obstructed (BDO) and nonobstructed freely draining (FD) lobes of the liver is obscure. The bile duct branches draining from the left lateral and median lobes of the liver were ligated for 4 and 10 days in rats, and hepatic reserve functions in BDO and FD lobes were assessed by microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities and by hepatic adenine nucleotide and energy charge levels. The values were compared with those in sham-operated control liver. Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities were determined by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels with high-pressure liquid chromatography. The histological examination of the BDO lobes showed proliferation and formation of new bile ductules and fibrous connective tissue linking portal areas. Microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities, hepatic energy charge and adenine nucleotide levels did not differ between FD and BDO lobes, and the values were similar to those in the sham-operated liver. Selective bile duct obstruction shows no adverse effects on microsomal and mitochondrial functions in either BDO or FD lobes of the liver.

Hepatic adenine nucleotides and microsomal cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity in the obstructed and freely draining lobes of the liver after selective bile duct obstruction

Hepatic adenine nucleotides and microsomal cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity in the obstructed and freely draining lobes of the liver after selective bile duct obstruction

Hepatic adenine nucleotides and microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in the obstructed and freely draining lobes of the liver after selective bile duct obstruction.

The effect of selective bile duct obstruction (SBDO) on hepatic reserve function of the bile duct obstructed (BDO) and nonobstructed freely draining (FD) lobes of the liver is obscure. The bile duct branches draining from the left lateral and median lobes of the liver were ligated for 4 and 10 days in rats, and hepatic reserve functions in BDO and FD lobes were assessed by microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities and by hepatic adenine nucleotides and energy charge levels. The values were compared with those in the sham-operated control liver. Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities were determined by gas-liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry, and hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels with high-pressure liquid chromatography. The histological examination of the BDO lobes showed proliferation and formation of new bile ductules and fibrous connective tissues linking portal areas. Microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities, hepatic energy charge and each adenine nucleotide level did not differ between FD and BDO lobes, and the values were similar to those in the sham-operated liver. Selective bile duct obstruction shows no adverse effects on microsomal and mitochondrial functions in both the BDO and FD lobes of the liver.

Hepatic adenine nucleotides and DNA synthesis during the regenerative and atrophic process of the liver lobes after selective portal vein ligation.

Selective portal vein occlusion prior to aggressive hepatic resection is now an alternative way to decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. However, the detailed changes in the hepatic energy status and DNA synthesis rate in both portal vein ligated (PVL) and nonligated (PVNL) lobes of the liver are not clear. In rats, the portal branch that supplies 70% of the liver volume was ligated, and changes in arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR), liver weight, histology, DNA synthesis rate and adenine nucleotides of the PVL and PVNL liver lobes were determined before and 1, 2, 4 and 7 days after portal vein ligation, and compared with those in sham-operated rats. The weight of the PVL lobes decreased, while that of the PVNL lobes increased depending on time. The DNA synthesis rates of the PVNL lobes were significantly higher than those in sham-operated control liver during the first 4 days with the maximal value on the 2nd day, while those of PVL lobes were essentially similar to the control values. Energy charge (EC) in both PVL and PVNL lobes significantly decreased on day 1 and recovered gradually, but with less extent in the regenerating PVNL lobes. The concentrations of total adenine nucleotides (TAN) in both the PVL and PVNL lobes were essentially similar during the first 2 days, but became significantly lower in PVL lobes after day 4. A decrease in EC preceded an increase in DNA synthesis only in the PVNL lobes, in contrast to the PVL lobes. Mitosis of hepatocytes on day 2 and subsequently enlarged lobules with an increased number of hepatocytes were histologic features in the PVNL liver. The AKBR was not correlated with hepatic energy charge of the liver. In conclusion, PVNL liver regenerates preceded by a decrease in EC and a subsequent increase in DNA synthesis keeping TAN constant, while PVL liver becomes atrophic, with a similar change in EC of the PVNL liver but ultimately decreased TAN without any change in DNA synthesis. AKBR is not a parameter reflecting the hepatic EC after portal branch ligation.

Hepatic mitochondrial energy production in rats with chronic iron overload

Background: Iron overload results in impaired hepatic mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. The current experiments evaluated the effects of iron overload on enzyme activities in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, on hepatic adenine nucleotide levels, and on hepatocellular oxygen consumption. Methods: Hepatic iron overload was produced in rats using dietary carbonyl iron. Hepatic adenine nucleotides were assessed after freeze-clamping, mitochondrial enzyme activities and oxygen consumption were measured in isolated mitochondria, and oxygen consumption in isolated hepatocytes was determined. Results: At a mean hepatic iron concentration of 4630 μg/g, there were no changes in reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-cytochrome c reductase activity (complex I–III), but there was a 35% reduction in succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity (complex II–III), and a 70% decrease in cytochrome c oxidase activity (complex IV). With mild iron loading (2060 μg/g), there was a 28% decrease in hepatic adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) levels with no change in adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) or adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) levels, whereas, at a higher hepatic iron concentration (3170 μg/g), there was a 40% reduction in ATP levels, a 22% decrease in ADP levels, with no change in AMP levels. There was a 48% reduction in oxygen consumption in isolated iron-loaded hepatocytes. Conclusions: Chronic iron overload decreases hepatic mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity, hepatocellular oxygen consumption, and hepatic ATP levels.

Ischemic injury in cirrhotic livers: an experimental study of the temporary arrest of hepatic circulation.

In order to prevent massive bleeding at hepatectomy, the temporary arrest of hepatic circulation is often performed but it is not clear whether this arrest of circulation is tolerated equally by the cirrhotic liver and the normal liver. We investigated biochemically the detailed effects of ischemia on cirrhotic livers in rats with experimentally induced liver cirrhosis. Thioacetoamide was used to prepare the rat cirrhotic liver model (LC group, n = 6). After laparotomy, the vessels to the left lateral lobe were clamped for 30 min and then declamped. Changes in AST isozymes and the aminogram in the blood were examined after ischemia. Postischemic changes in hepatic adenine nucleotides (AdN) and the brain aminogram were also examined. These were compared with those of normal liver ischemia (N group, n = 6) at 24 hr after recirculation. In the LC group, serum levels of mitochondrial AST, a parameter of necrotic cells, were significantly higher than those of the N group. Hepatic AdN levels decreased to 60.6% of the original levels after ischemic injury but those of the N group remained at 95.4% of the original level. Since AdN in tissue is accepted as a reliable parameter of viable cells, cirrhotic livers subjected to ischemia might have more necrotic cells than normal livers. Sequential analysis of serum aminograms of the LC group after ischemia revealed that the ratio of Val+Leu+Ileu/Tyr+Phe decreased to near 1.0 but that of the N group always remained higher than 3.0. Based on these results, it was concluded that ischemic injury in cirrhotic livers is more hazardous than that in normal livers.

Therapeutic implications of impaired hepatic oxygen diffusion in chronic liver disease

Therapeutic implications of impaired hepatic oxygen diffusion in chronic liver disease

Regulation of immune-aggregate-stimulated hepatic glycogenolysis and vasoconstriction by vicinal dithiols

Evidence suggesting that vicinal dithiols regulate immune-aggregate-induced vasoconstriction and glycogenolysis in the perfused rat liver was obtained. Phenylarsine oxide (PhAsO) and other tervalent organic arsenicals inhibited in a dose-dependent manner hepatic glycogenolysis, vasoconstriction, Ca2+ mobilization and the stimulated O2 consumption caused by immune-aggregate infusion. Polar tervalent and quinquivalent arsenicals were less effective than hydrophobic arsenicals. Prior infusion of Fc- but not Fab-fragments of IgG prevented partially immune-aggregate-stimulated hepatic metabolism, suggesting that immune aggregates elicit hepatic metabolic responses through Fc gamma receptors. The inhibitory action of PhAsO on immune-aggregate-stimulated hepatic glycogenolysis was unique; inhibition of glycogenolysis was not observed when phenylephrine, isoprenaline or glucagon was used as a stimulant. Although PhAsO might be expected to sequester cellular thiols, no significant change in the oxidation-reduction state of the major cellular thiol, glutathione, was found during PhAsO infusion. In addition, PhAsO exerted its effects without producing changes in hepatic adenine nucleotides and cyclic AMP. Evidence suggesting the involvement of vicinal dithiols was obtained through thiol-competition experiments using mono- and di-thiols. PhAsO inhibition of IgG-aggregate-stimulated hepatic vasoconstriction and glycogenolysis was reversed significantly by infusion of 2,3-dimercaptopropan-1-ol at 3-fold molar excess, whereas 2-mercaptoethanol at 40-fold molar excess was ineffective. The results of the present study provide evidence documenting the participation of vicinal dithiols during the coupling of hepatic immune-aggregate clearance by Kupffer cells with vasoconstriction of the hepatic vasculature (e.g. endothelial cells) and glycogenolysis (e.g. parenchymal cells).

Hepatic adenine nucleotide metabolism measured in vivo in rats fed ethanol and a high fat-low protein diet.

Rats fed a diet high in fat and low in protein continuously infused by intragastric cannula were given ethanol for 2 to 6 months in order to examine the response of liver adenine nucleotides to changes in systemic PO2. Hepatic adenine nucleotides were measured in vivo monthly using liver obtained by biopsy from rats while a high blood alcohol level was maintained. Ethanol decreased hepatic ATP and the total adenylate pool, but did not change the levels of ADP and AMP. Adenylate energy charge showed only a tendency to be decreased. Carotid arterial PO2 was mildly but significantly lower in ethanol-fed rats compared to the pair-fed controls. Pure O2 inhalation for 3 min increased the PO2 four times in the ethanol and control-fed rats, and tended to increase ATP and decrease ADP in ethanol-fed rats as well as pair-fed controls. It restored the energy charge to a normal level in the ethanol-fed rats. Ten per cent O2 + 90% N2 inhalation for 3 min decreased the PO2 to 40 mm Hg in both the ethanol-fed and control rats, and this rapidly decreased ATP. This effect was significantly greater in the ethanol-fed rats compared to the controls. The total adenylate pool and the energy charge were decreased only in ethanol-fed rats. The results show that the reduced energy stores in the rat liver induced by ethanol are rapidly responsive to changes in PO2. Thus, the livers of ethanol-fed rats were more vulnerable to transient hypoxia than were controls.

Effect of Fluid Infusion on Alterations in Metabolite Levels in Carbohydrate and Protein Metabolism of Septic Rats

This study evaluates the effect of continuous fluid infusion on metabolic alterations in septic rats. The saline administration, designed to maintain blood volume, was carried out from the onset of peritonitis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. The operated rats were divided into two groups: the physiological saline-resuscitated group, treated by continuous infusion intravenously (2.0ml/h) immediately after surgery, and the untreated septic group. Concentrations of hepatic adenine nucleotides, glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate, lactate, malate, RNA, DNA, and protein, were determined at the times of 4, 7, 12, and 24h. Alterations in free amino acid levels in plasma and liver were also measured. A rapid decrease in plasma glucogenic amino acids and perturbation of carbohydrate metabolism were noted at 4h and alterations in metabolite levels became evident at 7h in both septic rat groups, when compared with those in normal rats. In addition, obvious differences in the alteration patterns of metabolite contents were observed at 12h between the two septic rat groups. The untreated septic rats appeared to be in a shock state at 12h, showing approximately 50% mortality, whereas all septic rats with resuscitation still survived at this time. These results indicate that an adverse effect of lowered tissue perfusion was involved in further aggravation of hepatic ATP-producing metabolism in the untreated septic rats.

Hepatic regeneration and metabolism after partial hepatectomy in normal rats: effects of insulin therapy

The effect of insulin therapy on liver regeneration has been studied in normal fed rats 12, 24 and 48 h after partial hepatectomy. Dry weight of regenerating liver increased between 12 and 48 h after partial hepatectomy and was unaffected by insulin therapy. [6-3H] Thymidine uptake peaked at 24-h (24.7 +/- 2.4% of total liver cells) and insulin treatment had no additional effect. At 12-h after partial hepatectomy, hepatic [ATP] was decreased 15%, while [ADP] and [AMP] were increased 47% and 83% respectively compared with sham-operated animals. Partial hepatectomy also caused an increase in hepatic [triglyceride], a decrease in hepatic [glycogen] and an increase in the levels of glucose and several glycolytic intermediates. The hepatic redox ratios, [lactate]:[pyruvate] and [3-hydroxybutyrate]:[acetoacetate], were elevated. Insulin therapy had only minor effects on hepatic adenine nucleotide levels, intermediary metabolite concentrations or intrahepatic redox ratios after partial hepatectomy. These findings suggest a decreased hepatic intracellular energy state in regenerating liver; insulin therapy in normal rats does not influence this metabolic change nor the regenerative response.

Regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis in newborn rabbit: controlling factors in presuckling period.

We have previously shown (Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 77B: 35-39, 1984) that a rapid postnatal increase in hepatic mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content activates pyruvate carboxylation and gluconeogenesis in the newborn rabbit. This study investigated factors limiting flux through the gluconeogenic pathway and examined the physiological stimuli responsible for the activation phenomenon. There is a 2.3-fold increase in total mitochondrial adenine nucleotides, along with a threefold increase in the matrix ATP/ADP ratio, by 2 h after birth, resulting overall in a sixfold increase in the amount of ATP/mg mitochondrial protein. Analysis of gluconeogenic intermediates, measured in freeze-clamped livers between birth and 4 h postnatal, suggests that pyruvate carboxylase controls gluconeogenic flux during this period. Newborn rabbits reared in an hypoxic environment (5% O2) exhibited decreased mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content, decreased rates of pyruvate carboxylation, and depressed blood glucose levels compared with littermates reared in room air or 95% O2. Manipulation of the insulin-to-glucagon ratio in vivo by injecting insulin at birth significantly delayed postnatal increases in the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content and the rate of pyruvate carboxylation. Conversely, glucagon injection produced a supranormal increase in both mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content and pyruvate carboxylation. In addition, insulin injection prevented, whereas glucagon enhanced, the normal postnatal increase in tissue ATP/ADP. These results suggest that tissue oxygenation and a decreased insulin-to-glucagon ratio promote the rapid influx of adenine nucleotides from the liver cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix, thereby activating pyruvate carboxylation and gluconeogenesis during the presuckling period.

Significance of mitochondrial enhancement in hepatic energy metabolism in relation to alterations in hemodynamics in septic pigs with severe peritonitis.

Liver mitochondrial phosphorylative activity, hepatic adenine nucleotides, and hemodynamic parameters were studied in 23 pigs with peritonitis induced by cecal ligation and perforation. Between 2 and 7 days after treatment, the onset of an apparent hyperdynamic state, characterized by an increased cardiac index and decreased total peripheral resistance index, occurred. In this period, the energy charge level was barely maintained and the occurrence of liver mitochondrial enhancement was observed. However, 10-14 days after treatment, the onset of a hypodynamic state with its inverse patterns in hemodynamics took place. In this period, the energy charge level fell to 0.68, concomitant with a marked decrease in mitochondrial function. Further, a high positive correlation between the cardiac index and liver mitochondrial phosphorylative activity was noted (r = 0.85, p less than 0.01). These results suggest that liver mitochondria play a major role in the metabolic and hemodynamic adaptations occurring during sepsis.

Fetal and neonatal metabolism in the pup of a canine diabetic mother. Hepatic intermediary metabolism.

The intrahepatic metabolic profile of pups from a diabetic canine pregnancy (IDM pups) was examined at birth and during the postnatal adaptation to 3, 6, 9 or 24 h of neonatal fasting. Hepatic intermediates of the glycogen, glycolytic, and Krebs cycles were determined in addition to hepatic adenine nucleotides and hepatic and muscle triglyceride concentrations. Maternal canine diabetes enhanced fetal hepatic and muscle glycogen and triglyceride content. After birth, neonatal hepatic glycogen content declined among control and IDM pups but glycogen content remained enhanced in the IDM pups at 3 and 6 h. Muscle glycogen also declined in both groups; however, it remained higher in the IDM at 3, 6, and 9 h. Muscle and hepatic triglyceride content increased in both groups. Postnatal intracellular triglyceride content was augmented in muscle tissue of the IDM at 3, 6, and 9 h while hepatic tissue from IDM had increased triglycerides at 24 h of age. Glycolytic intermediates demonstrated alterations following maternal diabetes as fructose 1, 6, diphosphate was lower in IDM pups during fetal life and at 3, 9, and 24 h while pyruvate and oxaloacetate concentrations were augmented throughout the study period when compared with age-matched controls. Hepatic amino acids demonstrated elevated alanine concentrations in IDM pup at 6, 9, and 24 h while aspartate levels were augmented during fetal and at 6, 9, and 24 h of neonatal fasting. These data suggest that hepatic glycogen synthesis is augmented in the fetus of the diabetic canine mother. After birth postnatal glycogenolysis is not altered and may support hepatic and systemic oxidative metabolism. Furthermore, these large tissue stores of glucose may contribute to hepatic or muscle triglyceride synthesis in addition to hepatic amino acid accumulation. The alterations of FDP, pyruvate, and oxaloacetic acid suggests that glycolysis is enhanced among pups following a diabetic pregnancy while intraheptic gluconeogenesis may be attenuated.