Changes of insulin and glucagon receptors following bile duct ligation and its release

The specific bindings of insulin and glucagon to 4 x 10(4) g pellets containing hepatic plasma membrane were measured at 1 and 2 weeks after bile-duct ligation and 1 week after reduction of jaundice. At 1 week of jaundice, insulin binding was not decreased compared to control rats, however, glucagon binding 30(6)% was significantly lower than that 43(8)% in control rats (p < 0.01). At 2 weeks of jaundice, insulin binding 35(3)% was significantly lower than that 40(5)% in control rats (p < 0.05), and glucagon binding 26(4)% was also significantly lower compared to control rats 42(4)% (p < 0.01). The decreased insulin and glucagon receptors returned to nearly the levels of controls after 1 week's reduction of jaundice. These results suggested that the measurement of receptor binding may be useful as an indicator of the severity of hepatocyte injury.