Prostaglandin E1 effects on cyclic AMP and glycogen metabolism in rat liver

On the mechanisms of the growth-promoting effect of prostaglandins in hepatocytes: the relationship between stimulation of DNA synthesis and signaling mediated by adenylyl cyclase and phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C

While many observations indicate that prostaglandins may act as positive regulators of hepatocyte proliferation, the underlying mechanisms are not known. We have examined some of the signal pathways in the growth response induced by prostaglandins in hepatocytes, with particular focus on adenylyl cyclase and phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C. Adult rat hepatocytes were cultured as primary monolayers in serum-free medium in the presence of EGF and insulin. PGE2 or PGF2 alpha (added 0-3 h after plating) enhanced the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA (measured at 50 h); at 100 microM the stimulation was about threefold PGI2 and PGD2 also showed significant but smaller stimulatory effects. No significant increase in the level of cyclic AMP (cAMP) was detected in response to any of the prostaglandins. Low concentrations of glucagon (0.1-10 nM), a potent activator of hepatic adenylyl cyclase, or 8-bromo-cAMP (0.1-10 microM) enhanced the DNA synthesis. When 8-bromo-cAMP was used in maximally effective concentrations, no further stimulation was obtained by combining it with glucagon, whereas the effects of PGE2 and 8-bromo-cAMP were completely additive. All the prostaglandins also showed additivity with the effect of glucagon on the DNA synthesis. PGE2, PGF2 alpha, PGI2, and PGD2 increased intracellular inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), with a relative order of efficacy roughly corresponding to their activity as stimulators of DNA synthesis. Increases in cytosolic free Ca2+, as measured in single cells, were elicited in a majority of the hepatocytes by all these prostaglandins at 1 microM. Supramaximal concentrations of vasopressin, a strong activator of phospholipase C in hepatocytes, acted additively with PGE2 on the DNA synthesis. Pretreatment of the hepatocytes with a concentration of pertussis toxin that prevented the inhibitory effect of PGE2 on glucagon-induced cAMP accumulation did not abolish the ability of PGE2 to stimulate the DNA synthesis. The results do not support a role for adenylyl cyclase activation in the stimulatory effect of prostaglandins on hepatocyte growth. While the data are compatible with an involvement of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in the growth-promoting effect of prostaglandins in cultured rat hepatocytes, they suggest this may not be the sole mechanism.

Effect of prostaglandin E2 on urea synthesis and hepatic hemodynamics in rat livers. An in vivo/in vitro study

The study was carried out on 30 rats. PGE2 was found to inhibit both the ammonium uptake and urea formation by hepatocytes, i.e. PGE2 inhibited the ornithine cycle in a non-recirculating perfusion of the liver. Simultaneously PGE2 inhibited liver oxygen uptake and raised portal pressure. Inhibition of urea synthesis in the liver and decrease of hepatic hemodynamics by PGE2 were also found in experiments in vivo. The PGE2 inhibiting effect on urea synthesis may be achieved mainly through decreasing hepatic blood flow and perhaps, by hypoxia.

Changes of prostacyclin and thromboxane synthesis in the course of mouse liver perfusion. Stimulated thromboxane A2 synthesis of freshly prepared isolated mouse hepatocytes

The formation of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 (measured as 6-keto PGF1 alpha and TXB2 by radioimmunoassay) was investigated during a 30 min perfusion of mouse liver in a recirculation system. After cannulation of the portal vein an immediate increase of de novo synthesis and secretion of PGI2 occurred followed by a sharp decrease. Increased PGI2 synthesis was also followed by a continuous increase of TXA2 synthesis and secretion reaching a maximum at the end of the 30 min perfusion. Elevated TXA2 synthesis was also shown in freshly isolated hepatocytes investigated in the course of a 20 min incubation period immediately after the perfusion. However, the elevated TXA2 formation was not observed when it was measured after a 120 min preincubation of the cells. Both PGI2 and TXA2 production could be provoked to a similar extent by the addition of arachidonate and A 23187 immediately after the perfusion or after a 120 min preincubation.

Prostanoid synthesis in isolated parenchymal and nonparenchymal mouse liver cells in the presence of arachidonic acid

Prostanoid synthesis was investigated in suspensions of isolated mouse hepatocytes and nonparenchymal liver cells. A stable metabolite of thromboxane A2 (TXB2) of prostacyclin (6-keto PGF1 alpha) and one of the prostaglandins (PGF2 alpha) was detected by radio-immuno-assay (RIA). Hepatocytes synthesized mainly TXB2, while smaller amounts of 6-keto PGF1 alpha and PGF2 alpha were detected during 60 min incubation. Homogenization of hepatocytes caused a slight increase of TXB2 production and provoked the synthesis of PGF2 alpha and 6-keto PGF1 alpha. The addition of arachidonate to hepatocytes did not influence prostanoid production at concentrations below 10-5M. Higher concentrations further increased TXB2 production and also increased the synthesis of 6-keto PGF1 alpha and PGF2 alpha. Nonparenchymal cells synthesized all the three types of prostanoids and homogenization of these cells did not result in a marked change. The addition of 10(-7)-10(-5)M arachidonate increased the TXB2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha and PGF2 alpha synthesis in nonparenchymal cells. No further increase was found at higher concentrations.

Inhibition of glucagon-stimulated hepatic glycogenolysis by E-series prostaglandins

The effect of E-series prostaglandins (PGE) on hepatic glucose metabolism is controversial. This study uses isolated rat hepatocytes and exogenously added PGE analogs or frequent native PGE additions (to compensate for hepatic PGE degradation) to define PGE's effect on hepatic glycogenolysis. 16,16-Dimethyl PGE2, 15(S),15-methyl PGE2, PGE1 and PGE2 all inhibit glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis. It is concluded that E-series prostaglandins can act directly on the liver to inhibit glycogenolysis.

Effects of prostaglandins and divalent cations on cAMP production in isolated rat hepatocytes

In intact hepatocytes, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibits up to 60% of the cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation in response to glucagon. PGE2 was found also to inhibit cAMP production in response to Mn2+, and Mn2+ counteracted the effect of PGE2 on the response to glucagon. However, when added to cells with ruptured plasma membranes, PGE2 had no effect on cAMP production, even though the ruptured cells had an equally strong response to glucagon as did intact cells. Only when cells were ruptured in the presence of PGE2 and incubated as very dense suspensions did PGE2 inhibit a response to glucagon up to 20%. These results may be explained by assuming the existence of a cytosolic factor necessary for transmitting the inhibitory effect of PGE2. The role of divalent cations in cAMP formation in intact cells was investigated. After extraction of cations with ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA), cAMP production in response to glucagon was reduced by more than 60%. Addition of Mn2+ restored cAMP formation completely, whereas Mg2+ was somewhat less effective, and Ca2+ could not restore any activity. Even low concentrations of Ca2+ appeared under certain conditions to repress adenylate cyclase activity.

Dissociation of E prostaglandin effects on liver glycogenolysis and cyclic AMP levels

Some metabolic effects of prostaglandins have been related to their alteration of adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) metabolism in different tissues. Prostaglandins E1 and E2 stimulate liver adenylate cyclase in vitro, but conflicting reports have been made about metabolic changes caused by E prostaglandins in hepatic tissue. We have attempted to resolve these issues by comparing the effects of PGE1 with those of glucagon using broken-cell homogenates, intact hepatocytes, liver slices and perfused liver. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) increased cyclic AMP in liver slices and in perfused liver without increasing glycogenolysis, but PGE1 had no discernible effect on carbohydrate or cyclic AMP metabolism in isolated hepatocytes. Glucagon caused predictable increases in cyclic AMP and glycogenolysis using hepatocytes, liver slices or perfused liver. These data can be explained by the absence of PGE effects on cyclic AMP metabolism in hepatocytes. The concentration of E prostaglandins (PGEs) increased 1.75-fold during incubations (37 degrees C) of hepatocyte suspensions, but cyclic AMP remained constant. Addition of exogenous arachidonate and indomethacin to cell suspensions increased and decreased PGEs, respectively, but cyclic AMP and glycogen metabolism were unchanged. Arachidonate and indomethacin likewise did not alter glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis or cyclic AMP biosynthesis. The production of E prostaglandins and cyclic AMP appears to be unrelated in hepatocytes.

Inhibitory effect of prostaglandins on the stimulation by glucagon and adrenaline of formation of cyclic AMP in rat hepatocytes

Several prostaglandins were found to inhibit hormone-induced cyclic AMP accumulation in suspensions of intact rat hepatocytes. Prostaglandin E1 in concentrations of 0.05--25 micrometers inhibited the cyclic AMP response to glucagon. Maximal inhibition was about 50%. The effect was rapid, being evident within 30 s. Prostaglandins E2, F1 alpha, F2 alpha, A1 and A2 also inhibited the glucagon effect on cyclic AMP in hepatocytes. In cells made highly responsive to adrenaline, by pretreatment of the animals with the carcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene, and inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E1 was seen also on adrenaline-induced cyclic AMP accumulation. The mechanism of the inhibitory effect of prostaglandins on hormone-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was not clarified. Prostaglandin E1 did not inhibit glucagon binding to intact hepatocytes, and so far we have not been able to demonstrate any effect of the prostaglandins on the adenylate cyclase or phosphodiesterase in broken cell preparations. It is concluded that while several previous studies have shown that stimulatory effects of prostaglandins on cyclic AMP are only marginal or lacking in parenchymal liver cells the present data indicate that several prostaglandins exert strong inhibitory interference with hormone-induced cyclic AMP accumulation.