Quantitation of ketogenesis in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule

A method has been devised to quantitate rates of ketogenesis (acetoacetate + beta-hydroxybutyrate production) in discrete regions of the liver lobule based on changes in NADH fluorescence. In perfused livers from fasted rats, ketogenesis was inhibited nearly completely with either 2-bromoctanoate (600 microM) or 2-tetradecylglycidic acid (25 microM). During inhibition of ketogenesis, a linear relationship (r = 0.90) was observed between decreases in NADH fluorescence detected from the liver surface and decreases in ketone body production. NADH fluorescence was monitored subsequently from individual regions of the liver lobule by placing microlight guides on periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule visible on the liver surface. Rates of ketogenesis in sublobular regions were calculated from regional decreases in NADH fluorescence and changes in the rate of ketone body formation by the whole liver during infusion of inhibitors. In the presence of bromoctanoate, ketogenesis was reduced 80% and local rates of ketogenesis were decreased 31 +/- 4 mumol/g/h in periportal areas and 28 +/- 3 mumol/g/h in pericentral regions. Similar results were observed with tetradecylglycidic acid. Therefore, it was concluded that submaximal rates of ketogenesis from endogenous, mainly long-chain fatty acids are nearly equal in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule in liver from fasted rats. Rates of ketogenesis and NADH fluorescence were strongly correlated during fatty acid infusion. Infusion of 250 microM oleate increased NADH fluorescence maximally by 8 +/- 1% over basal values in periportal regions and 17 +/- 4% in pericentral areas. Local rates of ketogenesis, calculated from these changes in fluorescence, increased 35 +/- 6 mumol/g/h in periportal areas and 55 +/- 5 mumol/g/h in pericentral regions. Thus, oleate stimulated ketogenesis nearly 60% more in pericentral than in periportal regions of the liver lobule.     

Inhibition of mixed-function oxidation of p-nitroanisole in perfused rat liver by 2,4-dinitrophenol

The effect of dinitrophenol (52 μm), an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, on p-nitroanisole O-demethylation in the perfused rat liver was examined. Dinitrophenol inhibited p-nitroanisole metabolism 70% in perfused livers from fasted, phenobarbital-treated rats, and 30% in livers from normal rats, but had no effect on this reaction in isolated microsomes. Rates of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation in livers from fed, phenobarbitaltreated rats were not inhibited by dinitrophenol unless the pentose phosphate shunt was first inhibited by 6-aminonicotinamide pretreatment. Dinitrophenol diminished cellular concentrations of ATP and NADPH 30 and 50%, respectively. Since mixed-function oxidation requires NADPH, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that dinitrophenol interrupts the synthesis and/or transfer of reducing equivalents from the mitochondria into the extramitochondrial space by interfering with energy-dependent NADPH synthesis and substrate shuttle mechanisms.In addition, dinitrophenol diminished conjugation reactions 57 and 89% in all metabolic states studied, most likely because it decreased UDP-glucose levels considerably (40 to 60%).     

Effect of glucose on 7-hydroxycoumarin glucuronide production in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule.

The effect of starvation and glucose addition on glucuronidation was assessed in sublobular regions of the lobule in perfused livers from phenobarbital-treated rats. Fibre-optic micro-light guides were placed on periportal and pericentral areas on the surface of livers to monitor the fluorescence (excitation 366 nm, emission 450 nm) of free 7-hydroxycoumarin from the tissue surface. After infusion of 7-hydroxycoumarin (80 microM) under normoxic conditions, steady-state increases in fluorescence were reached in 6-8 min in both regions. Subsequently, the formation of non-fluorescent 7-hydroxycoumarin glucuronide was inhibited completely by perfusion with N2-saturated perfusate containing 20 mM-ethanol. The difference in fluorescence between anoxic and normoxic perfusions was due to glucuronidation under these conditions. In livers from fed rats, rates of glucuronidation in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule were 8 and 19 mumol/h per g, respectively. In contrast, rates of glucuronidation were 3 and 9 mumol/h per g, respectively, in periportal and pericentral regions of livers from starved rats. Infusion of glucose (20 mM) had no effect on rates of glucuronidation in livers from fed rats; however, glucose increased rates of glucuronidation rapidly (half-time, t0.5 = 1.5 min) in periportal and pericentral regions to 7 and 17 mumol/h per g, respectively in livers from starved rats. These results indicate that the rapid synthesis of the cofactor UDP-glucuronic acid derived from glucose is an important rate-determinant for glucuronidation of 7-hydroxycoumarin in both periportal and pericentral regions of livers from starved rats.     

7-ethoxycoumarin deethylation activity in perfused isolated rat brain

7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) deethylation activity was measured in the perfused rat brain in situ. Infusion of 7-EC into a brain through an internal carotid artery resulted in the formation of 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) and its conjugates in the effluent perfusate collected from the superior vena cava. The rate of formation of products was 200 nmol/h/g when 130 microM 7-EC was infused. This value was much higher (more than 100 times) than that determined from the brain microsomal activity ( approximately 1 nmol/h/g), indicating that the activity determined with microsomes was an underestimate. This value was comparable to the activity in the perfused liver (30-50%), suggesting that drug metabolizing enzymes can play important roles within the brain. Pretreatment of rats with P-450 inducers such as phenobarbital and beta-naphthoflavone increased the deethylation activity in the perfused brain, as in the perfused liver. We conclude that the perfused brain is suitable for evaluating drug metabolizing activities under physiological conditions.     

Co-regulation of the mixed-function oxidation of p-nitroanisole and glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol in the perfused rat liver by carbohydrate reserves

Maximal rates of mixed-function oxidation of p-nitroanisole and the glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol in perfused livers from phenobarbital-treated rats varied directly with the nutritional state of the rat (i.e., fasted < fed < fasted-refed). Rates correlated with intracellular concentrations of NADPH, UDP-glucuronic acid, and glycogen but not with amounts of cytochrome P-450 or glucuronyltransferase activity. These data support the hypothesis that mixed-function oxidation and glucuronidation are coregulated in intact cells by carbohydrate-dependent cofactor synthesis.     

Differential effect of glucagon on gluconeogenesis in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule.

The effect of glucagon on gluconeogenesis was measured in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule by monitoring changes in rates of O2 uptake on the surface of the perfused liver with miniature O2 electrodes after infusion of lactate. When lactate (2 mM) was infused into livers from starved rats perfused in the anterograde direction, O2 uptake was increased 2.5-fold more in periportal than in pericentral regions, reflecting increased energy demands for glucose synthesis. Under these conditions, glucagon infusion in the presence of lactate increased O2 uptake exclusively in periportal regions of the liver lobule. Thus, when perfusion is in the physiological anterograde direction, the metabolic actions of glucagon predominate in periportal regions of the liver lobule under gluconeogenic conditions in the starved state. When livers were perfused in the retrograde direction, however, glucagon stimulated O2 uptake exclusively in pericentral regions. Thus glucagon only stimulates gluconeogenesis in 'upstream' regions of the liver lobule irrespective of the direction of flow.     

Functional relationship between initial oxidation of 7-ethoxycoumarin and subsequent conjugation of 7-hydroxycoumarin in isolated perfused rat livers

Functional relationship between the initial mixed function oxidation of 7-ethoxycoumarin (EC) to 7-hydroxycoumarin (HC) and the subsequent conjugation of this metabolite to sulfate ester and glucuronide has been studied using isolated perfused rat livers. When increasing concentrations of EC (from 25 to 200 microM) were infused, perfused liver can oxidize only up to about 60 nmol of the infused EC to HC per min/g liver tissue. Most of this HC metabolite was released as sulfate ester, but there was a dose dependent shift to a more significant glucuronidation at the expense of the sulfate form. The dose dependent shift observed upon infusions with increasing dose of EC was not extensive so that the major portion of metabolite released was always the sulfate ester. However, the shift observed with HC was extensive and the major portion released was the glucuronide conjugate. Upon infusions with increasing concentrations of HC, the maximal rates of sulfation and glucuronidation were found to be 60 nmol and 120 nmol of HC conjugated per min/g liver tissue, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges in the rates of conjugation for the infused HC were divided into a sulfate ester 'zone' (less than 20 nmol), a dose-dependent shift 'zone' (between 20 and 180 nmol) with the 'cross-over' occurring at 80 nmol/min/g liver, and reaching the maximal conjugation 'capacity' rate (180 nmol), above which the unconjugated free form of HC was released. Under conditions when EC was infused into normal rat livers, the calculated maximal oxidation rate was only 60 nmol of HC produced/min/g liver. Consequently, under such a condition, the oxidation rate may never reach the 'cross-over' rate and this explains the lack of extensive dose-dependent shift and further indicates that there remained a large reserve conjugation capacity (120 nmol/min/g).     

Urea synthesis from ammonia in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule. Effect of oxygen

Rates of urea synthesis were determined in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule in perfused liver from fed, phenobarbital-treated rats by measuring the extra O2 consumed upon infusion of NH4Cl with miniature O2 electrodes and from decreases in NADPH fluorescence detected with micro-light-guides. Urea synthesis by the perfused rat liver supplemented with lactate (5 mM), ornithine (2 mM) and methionine sulfoximine (0.15 mM), an inhibitor of glutamine synthetase, was stimulated by stepwise infusion of NH4Cl at doses ranging from 0.24 mM to 3.0 mM. A good correlation (r = 0.92) between decreases in NADPH fluorescence and urea production was observed when the NH4Cl concentration was increased. Sublobular rates of O2 uptake were determined by placing miniature oxygen electrodes on periportal or pericentral regions of the lobule on the liver surface, stopping the flow and measuring decreases in oxygen tension. From such measurements local rates of O2 uptake were calculated in the presence and absence of NH4Cl and local rates of urea synthesis were calculated from the extra O2 consumed in the presence of NH4Cl and the stoichiometry between O2 uptake and urea formation. Rates of urea synthesis were also estimated from the fractional decrease in NADPH fluorescence, caused by NH4Cl infusion in each region, measured with micro-light-guides and the rate of urea synthesis by the whole organ. When perfusion was in the anterograde direction, maximal rates of urea synthesis, calculated from changes in fluorescence, were 177 +/- 31 mumol g-1 h-1 and 61 +/- 24 mumol g-1 h-1 in periportal and pericentral regions, respectively. When perfusion was in the retrograde direction, however, rates were 76 +/- 23 mumol g-1 h-1 in periportal areas and 152 +/- 19 mumol g-1 h-1 in pericentral regions. During perfusion in the anterograde direction, urea synthesis, calculated by changes in O2 uptake, was 307 +/- 76 mumol g-1 h-1 and 72 +/- 34 mumol g-1 h-1 in periportal and pericentral regions, respectively. When perfusion was in the retrograde direction, urea was synthesized at rates of 54 +/- 17 mumol g-1 h-1 and 387 +/- 99 mumol g-1 h-1 in periportal and pericentral regions, respectively. Thus, maximal rates of urea synthesis were dependent upon the direction of perfusion. In addition, rates of urea synthesis were elevated dramatically in periportal regions when the flow rate per gram liver was increased (e.g. 307 versus 177 mumol g-1 h-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

A new method for the isolation of fresh hepatocytes from periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule

A simple method which avoids the use of perfusion with calcium free buffer, hydrolytic enzymes and detergents has been developed to obtain fresh hepatocytes from periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule. Cylindrical plugs (200 x 500 microns) of periportal and pericentral areas of the rat liver lobule weighing about 1 mg were collected with a micropunch from fresh or perfused liver. Ninety percent of cells were intact as assessed from trypan blue staining. Glutamine synthetase activity was detected predominantly (ca. 85%) in plugs isolated from pericentral regions indicating that this method allows selective harvesting of pure sublobular zones of the liver lobule. Rates of oxygen uptake measured at 25 degrees C by plugs from livers perfused in the anterograde direction were 56 +/- 5 and 33 +/- 7 mumol/g/h by periportal and pericentral plugs, respectively, values similar to data obtained from the intact organ. This method provides new opportunities to study the regulation of basic metabolic processes in cells from sublobular areas under nearly physiological conditions.     

Changes in mixed-function oxidase system in the perfused liver of the cold-acclimated rat

Changes in the hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent drug-metabolizing system were studied in perfused livers obtained from cold-acclimated male Wistar rats after 30 days of cold exposure (4C) when using hexobarbital as a substrate. In fasted animals the cold-acclimated rats showed higher levels of hexobarbital metabolic rates compared to control rats, but there was no significant difference in fed animals. The maximum rates of hexobarbital metabolism produced by xylitol perfusion were also significantly higher in the perfused liver of cold-acclimated rats. It was concluded that the function of the cytochrome P-450 system for hexobarbital in cold-acclimated rats changed due to both an increase in the activity of the cytochrome P-450 system and to changes in regulation of the cytochrome P-450 system by the supply of reducing equivalents.     

Stimulation of glycogenolysis by adenine nucleotides in the perfused rat liver.

Infusion of adenine nucleotides and adenosine into perfused rat livers resulted in stimulation of hepatic glycogenolysis, transient increases in the effluent perfusate [3-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratio, and increased portal vein pressure. In livers perfused with buffer containing 50 microM-Ca2+, transient efflux of Ca2+ was seen on stimulation of the liver with adenine nucleotides or adenosine. ADP was the most potent of the nucleotides, stimulating glucose output at concentrations as low as 0.15 microM, with half-maximal stimulation at approx. 1 microM, and ATP was slightly less potent, half-maximal stimulation requiring 4 microM-ATP. AMP and adenosine were much less effective, doses giving half-maximal stimulation being 40 and 20 microM respectively. Non-hydrolysed ATP analogues were much less effective than ATP in promoting changes in hepatic metabolism. ITP, GTP and GDP caused similar changes in hepatic metabolism to ATP, but were 10-20 times less potent than ATP. In livers perfused at low (7 microM) Ca2+, infusion of phenylephrine before ATP desensitized hepatic responses to ATP. Repeated infusions of ATP in such low-Ca2+-perfused livers caused homologous desensitization of ATP responses, and also desensitized subsequent Ca2+-dependent responses to phenylephrine. A short infusion of Ca2+ (1.25 mM) after phenylephrine infusion restored subsequent responses to ATP, indicating that, during perfusion with buffer containing 7 microM-Ca2+, ATP and phenylephrine deplete the same pool of intracellular Ca2+, which can be rapidly replenished in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Measurement of cyclic AMP in freeze-clamped liver tissue demonstrated that adenosine (150 microM) significantly increased hepatic cyclic AMP, whereas ATP (15 microM) was without effect. It is concluded that ATP and ADP stimulate hepatic glycogenolysis via P2-purinergic receptors, through a Ca2+-dependent mechanism similar to that in alpha-adrenergic stimulation of hepatic tissue. However, adenosine stimulates glycogenolysis via P1-purinoreceptors and/or uptake into the cell, at least partially through a mechanism involving increase in cyclic AMP. Further, the hepatic response to adenine nucleotides may be significant in regulating hepatic glucose output in physiological and pathophysiological states.     

Stimulation by vasopressin of glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis in the perfused rat liver

1. Vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone, [8-arginine]vasopressin) stimulated the breakdown of glycogen in perfused livers of fed rats, at concentrations (50-600muunits/ml) that have been reported in the blood of intact rats, especially during acute haemorrhagic shock. 2. In perfused livers from starved rats, vasopressin (30-150muunits/ml) stimulated gluconeogenesis from a mixture of lactate, pyruvate and glycerol. 3. Vasopressin prevented accumulation of liver glycogen in the perfused liver of starved rats, or in starved intact rats. 4. The action of vasopressin on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism thus resembles that of glucagon; the minimum effective circulating concentrations of these hormones are of the same order (100pg/ml). 5. The stimulation of hepatic glucose output by vasopressin is discussed in connexion with the release of glucose and water from the liver.     

Stimulation by alpha-adrenergic agonists of Ca2+ fluxes, mitochondrial oxidation and gluconeogenesis in perfused rat liver.

Glucose output from perfused livers of 48 h-starved rats was stimulated by phenylephrine (2 microM) when lactate, pyruvate, alanine, glycerol, sorbitol, dihydroxyacetone or fructose were used as gluconeogenic precursors. Phenylephrine-induced increases in glucose output were immediately preceded by a transient efflux of Ca2+ and a sustained increase in oxygen uptake. Phenylephrine decreased the perfusate [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio when sorbitol or glycerol was present, but increased the ratio when alanine, dihydroxyacetone or fructose was present. Phenylephrine induced a rapid increase in the perfusate [beta-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratio and increased total ketone-body output by 40-50% with all substrates. The oxidation of [1-14C]octanoate or 2-oxo[1-14C]glutarate to 14CO2 was increased by up to 200% by phenylephrine. All responses to phenylephrine infusion were diminished after depletion of the hepatic alpha-agonist-sensitive pool of Ca2+ and returned toward maximal responses after Ca2+ re-addition. Phenylephrine-induced increases in glucose output from lactate, sorbitol and glycerol were inhibited by the transaminase inhibitor amino-oxyacetate by 95%, 75% and 66% respectively. Data presented suggest that the mobilization of an intracellular pool of Ca2+ is involved in the activation of gluconeogenesis by alpha-adrenergic agonists in perfused rat liver. alpha-Adrenergic activation of gluconeogenesis is apparently accompanied by increases in fatty acid oxidation and tricarboxylic acid-cycle flux. An enhanced transfer of reducing equivalents from the cytoplasmic to the mitochondrial compartment may also be involved in the stimulation of glucose output from the relatively reduced substrates glycerol and sorbitol and may arise principally from an increased flux through the malate-aspartate shuttle.     

Gluconeogenesis predominates in periportal regions of the liver lobule

Rates of gluconeogenesis from lactate were calculated in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule in perfused rat livers from increases in O2 uptake due to lactate. When lactate (0.1-2.0 mM) was infused into livers from fasted rats perfused in either anterograde or the retrograde direction, a good correlation (r = 0.97) between rates of glucose production and extra O2 uptake by the liver was observed as expected. Rates of oxygen uptake were determined subsequently in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule by placing miniature oxygen electrodes on the liver surface and measuring the local change in oxygen concentration when the flow was stopped. Basal rates of oxygen uptake of 142 +/- 11 and 60 +/- 4 mumol X g-1 X h-1 were calculated for periportal and pericentral regions, respectively. Infusion of 2 mM lactate increased oxygen uptake by 71 mumol X g-1 X h-1 in periportal regions and by 29 mumol X g-1 X h-1 in pericentral areas of the liver lobule. Since the stoichiometry between glucose production and extra oxygen uptake is well-established, rates of glucose production in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule were calculated from local changes in rates of oxygen uptake for the first time. Maximal rates of glucose production from lactate (2 mM) were 60 +/- 7 and 25 +/- 4 mumol X g-1 X h-1 in periportal and pericentral zones of the liver lobule, respectively. The lactate concentrations required for half-maximal glucose synthesis were similar (0.4-0.5 mM) in both regions of the liver lobule in the presence or absence of epinephrine (0.1 microM). In the presence of epinephrine, maximal rates of glucose production from lactate were 79 +/- 5 and 59 +/- 3 mumol X g-1 X h-1 in periportal and pericentral regions, respectively. Thus, gluconeogenesis from lactate predominates in periportal areas of the liver lobule during perfusion in the anterograde direction; however, the stimulation by added epinephrine was greatest in pericentral areas. Differences in local rates of glucose synthesis may be due to ATP availability, as a good correlation between basal rates of O2 uptake and rates of gluconeogenesis were observed in both regions of the liver lobule in the presence and absence of epinephrine. In marked contrast, when livers were perfused in the retrograde direction, glucose production was 28 +/- 5 mumol X g-1 X h-1 in periportal areas and 74 +/- 6 mumol X g-1 X h-1 in pericentral regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Stimulation of glycogenolysis and vasoconstriction by adenosine and adenosine analogues in the perfused rat liver.

Infusion of adenosine into perfused rat livers resulted in transient increases in glucose output, portal-vein pressure, the effluent perfusate [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio, and O2 consumption. 8-Phenyltheophylline (10 microM) inhibited adenosine responses, whereas dipyridamole (50 microM) potentiated the vasoconstrictive effect of adenosine. The order of potency for adenosine analogues was: 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) greater than L-phenylisopropyladenosine greater than cyclohexyladenosine greater than D-phenylisopropyladenosine greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine, consistent with adenosine actions modulated through P1-purine receptors of the A2-subtype. Hepatic responses exhibited homologous desensitization in response to repeated infusion of adenosine. Adenosine effects on the liver were attenuated at lower perfusate Ca2+ concentrations. Indomethacin decreased hepatic responses to both adenosine and NECA. Whereas adenosine stimulated glycogen phosphorylase activity in isolated hepatocytes, NECA caused no effect in hepatocytes. The response to adenosine in hepatocytes was inhibited by dipyridamole (50 microM), but not 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM). The present study indicates that, although adenosine has direct effects on parenchymal cells, indirect effects of adenosine, mediated through the A2-purinergic receptors on another hepatic cell type, appear to play a role in the perfused liver.     

Diltiazem inhibits fatty acid oxidation in the isolated perfused rat liver

The effects of diltiazem on fatty acid metabolism were measured in the isolated perfused rat liver and in isolated mitochondria. In the perfused rat liver diltiazem inhibited oxygen uptake and ketogenesis from endogenous substrates. Ketogenesis from exogenously supplied palmitate was also inhibited. The β-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio in the presence of palmitate alone was equal to 3·2. When the fatty acid and diltiazem were present simultaneously this ratio was decreased to 0·93, suggesting that, in spite of the inhibition of oxygen uptake, the respiratory chain was not rate limiting for the oxidation of the reducing equivalents coming from β-oxidation. In experiments with isolated mitochondria, incubated in the presence of all intermediates of the Krebs cycle, pyruvate or glutamate, no significant inhibition of oxygen uptake by diltiazem was detected. Inhibition of oxygen uptake in isolated mitochondria was found only when palmitoyl CoA was the source of the reducing equivalents. It was concluded that a direct effect on β-oxidation may be a major cause for the inhibition of oxygen uptake caused by diltiazem in the perfused liver. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.