Metabolic function of the isolated perfused rat liver in chronic sepsis

Significant alterations of liver function have been identified in experimental sepsis including changes in protein and glucose production. The specific changes which are evident in vivo appear to depend upon the specific experimental model and probably represent the relative contribution of hepatocellular function and extrahepatic influences as well as the time course of the septic process. Relatively few studies have focused on function of the whole organ. In an effort to study intrinsic hepatic function during chronic sepsis, control and septic animals (intraabdominal abscess) were studied using the isolated perfused liver model. Basal hepatic oxygen utilization was mildly elevated compared to that in control livers and the oxygen consumption response to a metabolic load was found to be essentially identical to that in control and septic livers. Glucose and albumin production were not substantially different in these two groups. These findings suggest that alterations in liver function following the induction of sepsis may result from extra hepatic factors, since intrinsic liver function appears to be normal.