Glucagon-stimulated respiration and intracellular Ca2+

The effects of extra- and intracellular Ca2+ on glucagon-stimulated respiration were examined in perfused rat liver. Glucagon increased the uptake of O2 to a significantly greater extent in Ca2+-containing perfusate than in Ca2+-free perfusate. If, however, the livers were perfused first with Ca2+-containing perfusate for 60 min in order to load the hormone-sensitive Ca2+ pool(s) and subsequently with Ca2+-free perfusate, glucagon was able to stimulate O2 uptake to the same extent in Ca2+-free, as in Ca2+-containing perfusate. These experiments support previous observations of a connection between Ca2+ and the hormonal stimulation of respiration, but indicate a role for intracellular, rather than extracellular, Ca2+ in the process.