| Abstract: | This study investigates the short-tem effects of glucagon and human recombinant tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) singly and in association on 2-methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB) transport in hepatocyte monolayers. As expected, glucagon induced a time-dependent stimulation of MeAIB transport. In our experimental conditions, TNFα did not induce cytolysis. A 2 hour exposure to TNFα (0.05–500 ng/I) with or without glucagon (10?9 to 10?6 M) did not modify the basal or glucagon-stimulated MeAIB transport. Varying the duration of exposure to TNFα 5 ng/I up to 6 h was equally ineffective. The presence of hydrocortisone potentiated the glucagon-stimulated transport, but TNFα remained ineffective. Finally, the association of interferon (IFNγ) with TNFα and/or glucagon was unable to modify the transport activity. These data demonstrate that TNFα does not exert a direct effect on MeAIB transport in hepatocytes, at least on a short-term basis. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
