Hydrocortisone induction of tyrosine transaminase in regenerating rat liver

Behavior of L-threonine-degrading enzymes during liver regeneration

We examined the effects of a two-thirds hepatectomy in the adult rat on the activities of the three L-threonine-degrading enzymes, L-threonine dehydratase, L-threonine aldolase and L-threonine dehydrogenase. Noticeable variations were observed which did not occur in either sham-operated or turpentine-treated rats and were not linked to food intake. They were considered specific to the regenerating liver. When the reactions were followed in vitro, L-threonine deaminase and L-threonine aldolase were significantly lower for the first 12-24 h: L-threonine dehydrogenase decreased only after 48 h. These results are linked to a decrease in the enzyme concentration in the tissue. L-Serine and L-threonine liver concentrations increased 2-3-fold during the same periods. When the activities were evaluated in vivo, the levels of the first two enzymes remained constant for 24 h, but increased after 48 h; L-threonine dehydrogenase increased between 12 and 48 h. The in vivo activity of the enzymes was reflected by total L-threonine degradation, which had a single sharp peak at 48 h. The asynchronous variations in enzyme activity are related to the differences in protein metabolism which occur in the regenerating liver, and are the consequence of a new transient differential control. The changes observed are significant in liver regeneration; they regulate the consumption and the serum and liver levels of L-serine and L-threonine, setting them aside for protein synthesis. They minutely control the flux of amino acids toward gluconeogenesis, since, during the first 48 h after partial hepatectomy, the production of glucose is ensured principally by lactate; the contribution of L-threonine seems to be more significant only at 48 h. These findings are useful in the study of the regulation of the enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism during liver regeneration.

An early mitosis-determining event in regenerating rat liver and its possible mediation by prostaglandins or thromboxane

Inhibitors of prostaglandin and thromboxane production such as mefenamic acid, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone prevented a large proportion of the parenchymal cells of rat liver, proliferatively activated by a two-thirds partial hepatectomy, from entering mitosis without preventing them from initiating or completing DNA synthesis. This specific mitosis-inhibiting action was maximum when the drugs were present during the first few hours after partial hepatectomy. In contrast, indomethacin, another inhibitor of prostaglandin and thromboxane production, maximally inhibited both DNA synthetic and mitotic activities when present during the same early period of prereplicative development, which showed that it had an action not shared by the other inhibitors. Arachidonic acid completely reversed the hydrocortisone- or dexamethasone-induced inhibition of mitotic activity, but it did so only when it was injected between 2 and 3 hours after partial hepatectomy and glucocorticoid injection. Arachidonate's reversal of the hydrocortisone-induced inhibition did not occur in the presence of mefenamic acid. These observations indicate that there is an early, prostaglandin- or thromboxane-mediated, prereplicative process in proliferatively activated hepatocytes which determines their later entry into mitosis and which is separate from the early events leading to DNA synthesis.

Uptake of amino acids and nucleic acid precursors by regenerating rat liver

1. At 0.5-1.0h after partial hepatectomy the intracellular acid-soluble fraction of rat liver took up twice as much radioactivity from [(3)H]orotic acid, [(3)H]uridine and [(3)H]thymidine as did similar fractions from sham-operated animals. This increase in penetration was not prevented by adrenalectomy or actinomycin, both of which decreased precursor uptake into nuclear RNA at this time. The increase in entry was still shown by thymidine at 22h after operation, at the height of the S period. Adenine penetration was not increased 1h after partial hepatectomy. 2. Plasma concentrations of ornithine and possibly methionine, tyrosine and lysine were raised 1.5h after partial hepatectomy. [(3)H]Lysine entry into regenerating liver at this time was increased by 60%; [(3)H]valine uptake was unaffected. Intracellular amounts of tyrosine, phenylalanine and ornithine in the liver were also increased. 3. The relation of these events to the start of liver regeneration is discussed.