The gluconeogenetic ability of hepatocytes in various types of acute uraemia

Liver cells were prepared from untreated controls, rats with various models of acute uraemia (uranyl nitrate-treated, bilaterally nephrectomised and ureter-ligated rats, rats with acute ischaemic renal failure) and sham-operated animals. Hepatocyte glucose output, pyruvate utilisation and lactate production were determined in the presence of Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with different pH values (7.1, 7.4, 7.6) using pyruvate, dihydroxyacetone, serine and fructose as substrates. In the presence of pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone a significant increase of glucose production in hepatocytes from bilaterally nephrectomised and ureter-ligated rats was observed. However, pyruvate-generated glucose production in the hepatocytes of uranyl nitrate-treated animals was unchanged, while a diminished glucose output was seen in the presence of dihydroxyacetone. A marked increase in glucose and lactate production in the presence of serine was observed in the hepatocytes of uranyl nitrate-treated, ureter-ligated and binephrectomised rats. However, lactate production from dihydroxyacetone in the liver cells of uranyl nitrate-treated animals was inhibited. In contrast to other types of uraemia, in acute ischaemic renal failure there is significantly lower hepatocyte glucose production using pyruvate as a substrate, but unchanged glucose generation from dihydroxyacetone or serine.