[Characterization of the functional state of the in vitro Hb-free perfused rat liver]

Rat liver was perfused in vitro with Krebs-Henseleit-medium and albumin at 25 degrees C in a recirculating system without hemoglobin over a period of 120 min. The following basic parameters for characterization of isolated liver perfusion were recorded: medium-pO2 prior and after liver passage, flow-rate, pH, and hepatic O2-consumption. Beyond this, concentration of lactate and pyruvate, hepatic glucose production, activity of aspartate-aminotransferase, leucine-aminopeptidase and acylase as well as concentration of K+-ions in the perfusion fluid were measured. In dependence on nutrition state of liver donors (fed or starved rats) the rate of glycogenolysis or rate of lactate-stimulated gluconeogenesis was calculated. The endogenous glycogenolysis can be blocked by an in vivo injection of propranolol. The propranolol-inhibited glycogenolysis can be stimulated by an in vitro glucagon application.