Regenerating rat liver: insulin and glucagon serum levels and receptor binding

Serum insulin and glucagon levels and liver plasma membrane receptor binding were studied in rats after partial hepatectomy. To clarify whether the surgical stress and decreased food intake that accompanies partial hepatectomy influenced these parameters, sham-operated rats were also studied. When sham-operated rats were compared to nonoperated controls, there was a 30% fall in insulin levels and a significant rise in the number of insulin receptors. In contrast, glucagon levels and glucagon receptor binding were unchanged. When partially hepatectomized rats were compared to sham-operated rats, there was no significant change in either insulin levels or the number of plasma membrane insulin receptors. Insulin degradative activity, however, was decreased in liver plasma membranes from partially hepatectomized animals, causing an apparent increase in [125I]iodoinsulin binding to this organelle. Bacitracin, an inhibitor of insulin degradation, abolished this difference in insulin binding. Glucagon levels rose by 65% after partial hepatectomy, whereas the number of glucagon receptors decreased significantly. The studies demonstrate, therefore, that after partial hepatectomy, serum insulin levels and insulin receptor binding in liver are altered, and these alterations are due to surgical stress and decreased food intake. Glucagon levels and glucagon receptor binding are also altered after partial hepatectomy, but these alterations are due to liver regeneration per se.