Effects of pneumococcal infection on rat liver microsomal enzymes and lipogenesis by isolated hepatocytes

Modification in the enzymatic complement and lipogenic functions of rat liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were shown to occur during pneumococcal sepsis. Glucose-6-phosphatase, 5'nucleotidase, esterase, and NADPH cytochrome C reductase decreased in activity by as much as 50% with respect to controls. Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA and NADH cytochrome C reductases were increased 6-and 2-fold, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase and inosine-5'-diphosphatase did not differ with respect to fasted controls. The lipogenic capacity of the ER was shown to be enhanced. In vitro [14C]acetate incorporation into cholesterol and other lipids by hepatocytes isolated from infected rats was increased 2-to 10-fold. It is concluded that the flow of acetyl-CoA in liver cell of Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats is toward lipogenesis rather than ketogenesis.