Hypovolemic stress-induced glycogenolysis. Isolated liver perfusion study

Intrinsic hepatic glycogenolysis was examined after hypovolemic stress. Hemorrhagic hypotension of 70 (P70) and 40 mm Hg (P40) for 60 min was inflicted for two postprandial groups and of 70 mm Hg (S70) in a 24-h starved group. The results were compared with three control groups; one postprandial (Pc), one 24-h starved (Sc), and one starved for 9 h (Sc:9) to mimic the glycogen depletion produced by 70 mm Hg hemorrhagic hypotension. Glucose output was studied in vitro using av recirculating isolated liver perfusion system with a perfusate free of glucose and endocrine stimulation. Liver glycogen determination was made before perfusion start. Although the glycogen stores were decreased after hemorrhage glucose yield was increased (P70) and unchanged (P40) as compared to controls (Pc and Sc: 9). Both starved groups delivered small amounts of glucose, but the released fraction of the S70 group was more than twice that from the Sc group. These data suggest a liver enzyme activation with increased velocity of the enzyme-substrate reactions responsible for glycogen degradation, induced during in vivo hemorrhage and persisting for at least 30 min in vitro perfusion.