Glucose, pyruvate and lactate efflux by the perfused liver of a teleost, Clarias batrachus during aniso-osmotic exposure

Glucose, lactate and pyruvate efflux by the perfused liver of the walking catfish, Clarias batrachus was studied during aniso-osmotic exposure. During hypo-osmotic exposure (−80 mOsmol l⁻¹, maintained with NaCl), glucose, lactate and pyruvate efflux by the perfused liver significantly decreased by 55, 19 and 16%, respectively. During hyper-osmotic exposure (+80 mOsmol l⁻¹, maintained with NaCl), efflux increased by 57, 12 and 18%, respectively. Similar effects of glucose, lactate and pyruvate efflux by the perfused liver was also seen when the anisotonicity of the medium was adjusted with mannitol instead of NaCl. The decrease of glucose, lactate and pyruvate efflux during hypo-osmotic exposure was correlated with the stimulation of glycogen synthesis and the reverse was true during hyper-osmotic exposure. These observations were supported by changes in glycogen phosphorylase a (GPase a) and glycogen synthase a (GSase a) activities. During hypo-osmotic exposure (−80 mOsmol l⁻¹), the GPase a activity decreased by 1.93 fold and GSase a activity increased by 1.63 fold, while during hyper-osmotic exposure (+80 mOsmol l⁻¹), the GPase a activity increased by 1.58 fold and GSase a activity decreased by 1.95 fold. The total activity of both the enzymes were not effected by a short term exposure to aniso-osmotic conditions, suggesting that the alterations in GPase a and GSase a activity were mainly due to changes of their phosphorylation status during aniso-osmotic exposure. A direct correlation exists between glucose efflux and the hydration status of the perfused liver. These alterations of glucose metabolism are probably necessary by this walking catfish to meet the different energy demand, and also for maintenance of glucose homeostasis under osmotic stress.