[Effect of vasopressin on the membrane potential of rat hepatocytes]

The current-voltage relationship of rat hepatocytes was investigated and its linear dependence was shown. On liver slices, we have investigated the effects of vasopressin on membrane potential of rat hepatocytes using microelectrode technique. Vasopressin evoked membrane hyperpolarization to -50 mV, suggesting that vasopressin activated synthetic processes in hepatocytes. Vasopressin application together with the inhibitor of protein kinase C chelerytrine also caused hyperpolarization of hepatocytes, but membrane potential changes were of smaller amplitude. This fact suggests that although protein kinase C plays an important role in the realization of effects of vasopressin, there is, however, another signal transduction pathway of vasopressin in rat hepatocytes. If that pathway activates adenylatecyclase, vasopressin can stimulate bile formation in hepatocytes. This assumption should be verified.