Abstract
The microcirculatory or Rappaport model of the simple liver acinus is consistent with existing O2 concentration gradients which decrease from Zone 1 (arteriolar) to Zone 3 (venous), and which might impose gradients on oxidative energy metabolism. To test directly whether the intra-acinar O2 gradient manifests itself in corresponding gradients of phosphate and/or redox potential, quantitative histochemical methods and enzyme cycling were used together with oil well techniques and fluorometry to measure ATP, ADP, Pi, αglycerol-P (α GP) , and dihydroxy acetone-P (DHAP) in samples of acinar Zones 1 and 3 from normal and ischemic liver of ether anesthetized rats. Results are means ± SEM, mmol/kg dry weight.
In the control state (Table), the parameters measured were the same in both Zones 1 and 3. During 30-150 seconds of ischemia, the phosphate potential (ATP/ADPxPi) fell and redox potential (αGP/DHAP) rose as expected. However, at no time did a difference develop between Zones 1 and 3. The data imply that, physiologically, O2 does not become a limiting factor for energy metabolism of the venous portion of the liver acinus. Zonal analysis is a sensitive means to test models of hepatic function.
Supported by NIH grant #s 5P30AM19525-04 and AA03517-03.
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Finegold, D., Ghosh, A., Zawalich, K. et al. 547 HOMOGENEITY OF PHOSPHATE AND REDOX POTENTIALS IN THE SIMPLE LIVER ACINUS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 531 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00560
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00560