cAMP-guanine exchange factor protection from bile acid-induced hepatocyte apoptosis involves glycogen synthase kinase regulation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase

Cholestatic liver disorders are accompanied by the hepatic accumulation of cytotoxic bile acids that induce cell death. Increases in cAMP protect hepatocytes from bile acid-induced apoptosis by a cAMP-guanine exchange factor (cAMP-GEF)/phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. The aim of these studies was to identify the downstream substrate in this pathway and to determine at what level in the apoptotic cascade cytoprotection occurs. Since inhibitory phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK) occurs downstream of PI3K/Akt and this phosphorylation has been implicated in cell survival, we conducted studies to determine whether GSK was downstream in cAMP-GEF/PI3K/Akt-mediated cytoprotection. Our results show that treatment of hepatocytes with the cAMP-GEF-specific analog, 4-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2'-O-methyladenosine-3',5'-cAMP, results in PI3K-dependent phosphorylation of GSK. Direct chemical inhibition of GSK in rat hepatocytes or human HUH7-NTCP cells with several structurally and functionally distinct inhibitors including bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO), maleimides (SB216763, SB415286), thiadiazolidine derivatives, and LiCl attenuates apoptosis induced by glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC). In addition, genetic silencing of the GSK β isoform with small interfering RNA attenuates GCDC apoptosis in HUH7-NTCP cells. Adenoviral inhibition of the Rap1 blocks both cAMP-GEF-mediated cytoprotection against GCDC-induced apoptosis and Akt/GSK3β phosphorylation. GCDC-induced phosphorylation of the proapoptotic kinase, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) is inhibited by GSK inhibition or cAMP-GEF activation. GCDC-induced apoptosis is accompanied by phosphorylation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress markers pIEF2α and IRE-1, and pretreatment with the cAMP-GEF analog or GSK inhibitors prevents this phosphorylation. Collectively, our results support the presence of a cAMP/cAMP-GEF/Rap1/PI3K/Akt/GSKβ survival pathway in hepatocytes that inhibits bile acid-induced JNK phosphorylation.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase, pathway is involved in hepatocyte growth factor-mediated protection against bile acid-induced apoptosis in cultured rat hepatocytes

We have previously shown that cAMP protects against hydrophobic bile acid-induced apoptosis in cultured rat hepatocytes through pathways dependent on activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and inhibition of mitogen activated protein kinase. Hepatocyte growth factor protects epithelial cells against apoptosis and activates both of these kinases in hepatocytes. We studied the effect of hepatocyte growth factor on glycochenodeoxycholate-induced apoptosis to determine whether hepatocyte growth factor protects hepatocytes against bile acid-induced apoptosis and whether the protective effect is mediated via phosphoinositide 3-kinase and/or mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Two-hour exposure of cultured rat hepatocytes to glycochenodeoxycholate resulted in apoptosis in 12.5 +/- 0.49% of the cells. Pretreatment with hepatocyte growth factor (50 ng/mL) decreased apoptosis by 50% to 70%. Hepatocyte growth factor cytoprotection was prevented by pretreatment with the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin (50 nmol/L) or Ly 294002 (40 micromol/L). Hepatocyte growth factor activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase dependent protein kinase B and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Pretreatment of hepatocytes with a mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, U0126 (40 micromol/L) or an inhibitor of pp70(s6) kinase, rapamycin (100 nmol/L), had no effect on the growth factor's anti-apopotic effect. Treatment with hepatocyte growth factor resulted in mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent phosphorylation of BAD on serine(112). In summary, hepatocyte growth factor protection against bile acid-induced apoptosis occurs via a phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway and is not dependent on the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, phosphorylation of BAD on serine(112), or activation of p70(S6) kinase.

Cell swelling-induced translocation of rat liver Na(+)/taurocholate cotransport polypeptide is mediated via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway

Cell swelling stimulates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in hepatocytes, and the PI3K signaling pathway is involved in cAMP-mediated translocation of sinusoidal Na(+)/taurocholate (TC) cotransporter (Ntcp) to the plasma membrane. We determined whether cell swelling also stimulates TC uptake and Ntcp translocation via the PI3K and/or MAPK signaling pathway. All studies were conducted in isolated rat hepatocytes. Hepatocyte swelling induced by hypotonic media resulted in: 1) time- and medium osmolarity-dependent increases in TC uptake, 2) an increase in the V(max) of Na(+)/TC cotransport, and 3) wortmannin-sensitive increases in TC uptake and plasma membrane Ntcp mass. Hepatocyte swelling also induced wortmannin-sensitive activation of PI3K, protein kinase B, and p70(S6K). Rapamycin, an inhibitor of p70(S6K), inhibited cell swelling-induced activation of p70(S6K) but failed to inhibit cell swelling-induced stimulation of TC uptake. Because PD98095, an inhibitor of MAPK, did not inhibit cell swelling-induced increases in TC uptake, it is unlikely that the effect of cell swelling on TC uptake is mediated via the MAPK signaling pathway. Taken together, these results indicate that 1) cell swelling stimulates TC uptake by translocating Ntcp to the plasma membrane, 2) this effect is mediated via the PI3K, but not MAPK, signaling pathway, and 3) protein kinase B, but not p70(S6K), is a likely downstream effector of PI3K.

Role of the PI3K/PKB signaling pathway in cAMP-mediated translocation of rat liver Ntcp

cAMP stimulates Na(+)-taurocholate (TC) cotransport by translocating the Na(+)-TC-cotransporting peptide (Ntcp) to the plasma membrane. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-signaling pathway is involved in cAMP-mediated translocation of Ntcp. The ability of cAMP to stimulate TC uptake declined significantly when hepatocytes were pretreated with PI3K inhibitors wortmannin or LY-294002. Wortmannin inhibited cAMP-mediated translocation of Ntcp to the plasma membrane. cAMP stimulated protein kinase B (PKB) activity by twofold within 5 min, an effect inhibited by wortmannin. Neither basal mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity nor cAMP-mediated inhibition of MAPK activity was affected by wortmannin. cAMP also stimulated p70(S6K) activity. However, rapamycin, an inhibitor of p70(S6K), failed to inhibit cAMP-mediated stimulation of TC uptake, indicating that the effect of cAMP is not mediated via p70(S6K). Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin filament formation, inhibited the ability of cAMP to stimulate TC uptake and Ntcp translocation. Together, these results suggest that the stimulation of TC uptake and Ntcp translocation by cAMP may be mediated via the PI3K/PKB signaling pathway and requires intact actin filaments.

Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide is a serine, threonine phosphoprotein and is dephosphorylated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate

Na+/taurocholate (Na+/TC) cotransport in hepatocytes is mediated primarily by Na+/TC cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) stimulates Na+/TC cotransport by inducing translocation of Ntcp to the plasma membrane. The aim of the present study was to determine if Ntcp is a phosphoprotein and if cAMP alters Ntcp phosphorylation. Freshly prepared hepatocytes from rat livers were incubated with carrier-free 32PO4 for 2 hours, followed by incubation with 10 micromol/L 8-chlorophenylthio adenosin 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (CPT-cAMP) for 15 minutes. Subcellular fractions isolated from 32P-labeled hepatocytes were subjected to immunoprecipitation using Ntcp antibody, followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and autoradiography to determine if Ntcp is phosphorylated. Ntcp immunoprecipitated from plasma membranes isolated from nonlabeled hepatocytes was subjected to immunoblot analysis using anti-phosphoserine, anti-phosphothreonine, or anti-phosphotyrosine antibody to determine whether Ntcp is a serine, threonine, or tyrosine phosphoprotein. Hepatocytes were loaded with bis-(2-amino-5-methylphenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (MAPTA), a Ca2+ buffering agent, and the effect of CPT-cAMP on TC uptake, cytosolic [Ca2+], and ntcp phosphorylation and translocation was determined. In addition, the effect of cAMP on protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1/2A) was determined in homogenates and plasma membranes obtained from CPT-cAMP-treated hepatocytes. Phosphorylation study showed that phosphorylated Ntcp is detectable in plasma membranes, and cAMP treatment resulted in dephosphorylation of Ntcp. Immunoblot analysis with phosphoamino antibodies revealed that Ntcp is a serine/threonine, and not a tyrosine, phosphoprotein, and cAMP inhibited both serine and threonine phosphorylation. In MAPTA-loaded hepatocytes, CPT-cAMP failed to stimulate TC uptake, failed to increase cytosolic [Ca2+], and failed to induce translocation and dephosphorylation of Ntcp. cAMP did not alter the activity of PP1/2A in either homogenates or in plasma membranes. Taken together, these results suggest that Ntcp is a serine/threonine phosphoprotein and is dephosphorylated by cAMP treatment. Activation of PP1/2A is not involved in cAMP-mediated dephosphorylation of Ntcp. Both translocation and dephosphorylation of Ntcp may be involved in the regulation of hepatic Na+/TC cotransport.

Role of protein phosphatases in cyclic AMP-mediated stimulation of hepatic Na+/taurocholate cotransport

Cyclic AMP has been proposed to stimulate Na+/taurocholate (TC) cotransport in hepatocytes by translocating Na+/TC cotransport polypeptide (Ntcp) to the plasma membrane and to induce Ntcp dephosphorylation. Whether protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1/2A) are involved in the regulation of Na+/TC cotransport by cAMP was investigated in the present study. Okadaic acid and tautomycin, inhibitors of PP1/2A, inhibited cAMP-mediated increases in TC uptake and cytosolic [Ca2+], and only tautomycin inhibited basal TC uptake. Removal of cAMP reversed cAMP-mediated increases in TC uptake and plasma membrane Ntcp mass. Okadaic acid alone increased Ntcp phosphorylation without affecting Ntcp mass in plasma membranes and homogenates. In the presence of okadaic acid, cAMP failed to increase plasma membrane Ntcp mass, induce Ntcp dephosphorylation, and decrease endosomal Ntcp mass. Phosphorylated Ntcp was detectable in endosomes isolated from okadaic acid-treated hepatocytes but not in endosomes from control and cAMP-treated hepatocytes. PP1 was found to be enriched in plasma membranes, whereas PP2A was mostly in the cytosol. Cyclic AMP did not activate either PP1 or PP2A, whereas okadaic acid inhibited primarily PP2A. These results suggest that 1) the effect of cAMP on Na+/TC cotransport is not mediated via either PP1 or PP2A; rather, cAMP-mediated signaling pathway is maintained by PP2A and inhibition of PP2A overrides cAMP-mediated effects, and 2) okadaic acid, by inhibiting PP2A, inhibits cAMP-mediated increases in Na+/TC cotransport by decreasing the ability of cAMP to increase cytosolic [Ca2+]. It is proposed that cAMP-mediated dephosphorylation of Ntcp leads to an increased retention of Ntcp in the plasma membrane, and okadaic acid, by inhibiting PP2A, inhibits cAMP-mediated stimulation of Na+/TC cotransport by reversing the ability of cAMP to increase cytosolic [Ca2+] and to induce Ntcp dephosphorylation.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated protection against bile acid-induced apoptosis in cultured rat hepatocytes

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) has been shown to modulate apoptosis. To evaluate the role of cAMP in bile acid-induced hepatocyte apoptosis, we studied the effect of agents that increase cAMP on the induction of apoptosis by glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC) in cultured rat hepatocytes. GCDC induced apoptosis in 26.5%+/-1.1% of hepatocytes within 2 hours. Twenty-minute pretreatment of hepatocytes with 100 micromol/L 8-(4-chlorothiophenyl) cAMP (CP-cAMP) resulted in a reduction in the amount of apoptosis to 35.2%+/-3.8% of that seen in hepatocytes treated with GCDC alone. Other agents that increase intracellular cAMP, including dibutyryl cAMP (100 micromol/L), glucagon (200 nmol/L), and a combination of forskolin (20 micromol/L) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (20 micromol/L), also inhibited GCDC-induced apoptosis to a similar extent. Pretreatment with the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, KT5720, prevented the protective effect of CP-cAMP and inhibited CP-cAMP-induced activation of PKA activity. Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), wortmannin (50 nmol/L), or Ly 294002 (20 micromol/L) also prevented the cytoprotective effect of cAMP. PI3K assays confirmed that wortmannin (50 nmol/L) inhibited PI3K activity, while CP-cAMP had no effect on the activity of this lipid kinase. GCDC increased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, but had no effect on stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) activity in hepatocytes. cAMP decreased basal and GCDC-induced MAPK activity and increased SAPK activity. The MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD 98059, inhibited both GCDC-mediated MAPK activation and GCDC-induced apoptosis.

IN CONCLUSION

1) agents that increase intracellular cAMP protect against hepatocyte apoptosis induced by hydrophobic bile acids; 2) activation of MAPK by GCDC may be involved in bile acid-induced apoptosis; and 3) cAMP-mediated cytoprotection against bile acid-induced apoptosis appears to involve PKA, MAPK, and PI3K.

Delayed triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining remains useful for evaluating cerebral infarct volume in a rat stroke model

Sixteen of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion for 24 hours were subjected to immediate or 8-hour delayed 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining (n = 8 at each time point); the other 8 animals were subjected to immediate or 8-hour delayed measurement of succinate dehydrogenase activity (n = 4 at each time point). The TTC staining was of good quality good in all animals, and the infarcted region could be distinguished easily from normal tissue. There was no significant difference in corrected infarct volume between the two groups (263.8 +/- 43.1 versus 264.4 +/- 54.8 mm3 [mean +/- standard deviation]). The activity of succinate dehydrogenase was not significantly different when normal or infarcted tissue was measured immediately after death or with an 8 hour delay, although less activity was detected at both time points in the infarcted tissue. These results demonstrate that an 8-hour delay of TTC staining is reliable for evaluating brain infarct volume in a rat stroke model and this probably is attributable to the slow deterioration of mitochondrial enzyme activity in nonischemic brain over this time period.

cAMP increases liver Na+-taurocholate cotransport by translocating transporter to plasma membranes

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), acting via protein kinase A, increases transport maximum of Na+-taurocholate cotransport within 15 min in hepatocytes (S. Grüne, L. R. Engelking, and M. S. Anwer. J. Biol. Chem. 268: 17734-17741, 1993); the mechanism of this short-term stimulation was investigated. Cycloheximide inhibited neither basal nor cAMP-induced increases in taurocholate uptake in rat hepatocytes, indicating that cAMP does not stimulate transporter synthesis. Studies in plasma membrane vesicles showed that taurocholate uptake was not stimulated by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A but was higher when hepatocytes were pretreated with cAMP. Immunoblot studies with anti-fusion protein antibodies to the cloned Na+-taurocholate cotransport polypeptide (Ntcp) showed that pretreatment of hepatocytes with cAMP increased Ntcp content in plasma membranes but not in homogenates. Ntcp was detected in microsomes, endosomes, and Golgi fractions, and cAMP pretreatment resulted in a decrease only in endosomal Ntcp content. It is proposed that cAMP increases transport maximum of Na+-taurocholate cotransport, at least in part, by translocating Ntcp from endosomes to plasma membranes.

Bile acids in the diagnosis, pathology, and therapy of hepatobiliary diseases

Bile acids are normally confined in the enterohepatic circulation in which they play an important role in bile formation, biliary lipid excretion, and intestinal lipid absorption. In hepatobiliary diseases, bile acids escape the confinement of the enterohepatic circulation, allowing the measurement of the serum total bile acid concentration as a diagnostic indicator. Accumulation of certain bile acids within the hepatocyte, amplified as a consequence of cholestatic hepatobiliary disease, probably enhances cytotoxicity and leads to secondary pathology. Ursodeoxycholate, a bile acid with atypical physiological effects, may be useful in the treatment of various long-term cholestatic hepatobiliary diseases. Presently, most of the information on the toxicity and therapeutic usefulness of bile acids are based on studies in humans and experimental animals. Further studies, both basic and clinical, are needed to determine the pathologic as well as the therapeutic effects of bile acids in domestic animals.

Mechanism of activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger by arginine vasopressin in hepatocytes

Arginine vasopressin has been shown to activate the Na+/H+ exchanger in hepatocytes by calcium/calmodulin-dependent processes. Whether this activation also involves protein kinase C and is associated with changes in the intracellular pH setpoint was investigated in this study. Changes in pHi and intracellular Ca++ concentration were measured with the fluorescent probes BCECF and quin-2, respectively. Intracellular pH recovery rate was calculated from time-dependent changes in intracellular pH in hepatocytes acid-loaded with sodium propionate. Arginine vasopressin, phorbol myristate acetate and thapsigargin stimulated intracellular pH recovery but did not increase basal intracellular pH. Arginine vasopressin and thapsigargin, but not phorbol myristol acetate, increased intracellular Ca++ concentration. The protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporine and calphostin C inhibited arginine vasopressin- and phorbol myristol acetate-induced, but not thapsigargin-induced, intracellular pH recovery. Neither staurosporine nor calphostin C affected arginine vasopressin- and thapsigargin-induced increases in intracellular Ca++ concentration, and no inhibitor affected basal intracellular pH recovery. Arginine vasopressin, phorbol myristol acetate and thapsigargin increased intracellular pH dependency of intracellular pH recovery without affecting intracellular pH setpoint. These results indicate that the activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger by arginine vasopressin is mediated both by Ca++/calmodulin and protein kinase C and may be due to enhanced interaction of H+ with the internal modifier site of the exchanger.

Role of intracellular calcium and protein kinases in the activation of hepatic Na+/taurocholate cotransport by cyclic AMP

Glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) stimulate Na+/taurocholate (TC) cotransport and increase the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of hepatocytes. Whether the effect of cAMP is mediated via increases in [Ca2+]i, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), and/or protein kinase C (PKC) was investigated in this study. TC uptake and [Ca2+]i were determined in isolated rat hepatocytes using [14C]TC and the fluorescent dye quin-2, respectively. Bt2cAMP, forskolin, and 8-bromo-cAMP stimulated Na(+)-dependent, but not Na(+)-independent TC uptake. Bt2cAMP increased the maximal rate of Na+/TC cotransport without affecting the apparent Km. Increases in TC uptake and [Ca2+]i by Bt2cAMP were inhibited in hepatocytes preloaded with bis-(2-amino-5-methylphenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (MAPTA) or preincubated with 8-diethylaminooctyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB8). Calmodulin antagonists inhibited Bt2cAMP-induced increases in TC uptake, but not [Ca2+]i. Other Ca(2+)-mobilizing agents (thapsigargin, vasopressin, phenylephrine, and ionomycin) increased [Ca2+]i but failed to stimulate TC uptake, indicating that an increase in [Ca2+]i alone is not a sufficient stimulus for TC uptake. However, increases in TC uptake by 1 and 10 microM Bt2cAMP were further increased by thapsigargin, indicating a permissive role for Ca2+/calmodulin. Bt2cAMP-induced increases in TC uptake and [Ca2+]i were inhibited by known inhibitors of PKA and by an activator of PKC, but they remained unaffected by a specific inhibitor of PKC. Unlike thapsigargin, vasopressin inhibited Bt2cAMP-induced increases in TC uptake. Taken together these results indicate that stimulation of hepatic Na+/TC cotransport by cAMP 1) is mediated via PKA; 2) is potentiated, but not mediated, by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent processes; and 3) may be down-regulated by PKC.

Mechanism of ionomycin-induced intracellular alkalinization of rat hepatocytes

Calcium ionophores such as ionomycin and A23187 are often used to determine the role of intracellular Ca++ in cellular processes. Ionomycin but not Ca+(+)-mobilizing agonists increases basal intracellular pH in hepatocytes. To explain this difference in effects of agents that increase intracellular Ca++ concentration, the mechanism of ionomycin-induced increases in basal intracellular pH in isolated rat hepatocytes was studied. Changes in intracellular pH and intracellular Ca++ concentration were measured with the fluorescent probes BCECF (2',7'-bis-2-[carboxyethyl ester]-5[6]carboxyfluorescein) and quin-2, respectively. Ionomycin produced dose-dependent increases in intracellular pH and intracellular Ca++ concentration, with the increase in intracellular Ca++ concentration preceded by the increase in intracellular pH. Ionomycin-induced increases in intracellular pH were not affected by 1 mmol/L amiloride, 100 mumol/L diisothiocyanostilbene disulfonate or removal of extracellular Na+, indicating that the effect is not mediated by Na+/H+ exchange, Cl-/HCO3- exchange or Na+/HCO3- cotransport. Ionomycin failed to increase intracellular pH or intracellular Ca++ concentration in the absence of extracellular Ca++, and both intracellular pH and intracellular Ca++ concentration increased promptly when extracellular Ca++ was reintroduced. Ionomycin-induced increases in intracellular Ca++ concentration but not intracellular pH were smaller in hepatocytes loaded with the Ca++ buffering agent MAPTA. Thapsigargin increased intracellular Ca++ concentration but failed to increase intracellular pH. Thus the effect of ionomycin is independent of the effect of ionomycin on intracellular Ca++ concentration and dependent on extracellular intracellular Ca++ concentration. Experimental conditions that produce cell depolarization did not increase basal intracellular pH but lowered ionomycin-induced increases in intracellular pH by 25% without affecting increases in intracellular Ca++ concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intracellular calcium-mediated activation of hepatic Na+/H+ exchange by arginine vasopressin and phenylephrine

The effect of Ca++ mobilizing agonists arginine vasopressin and phenylephrine on Na+/H+ exchange was studied in freshly isolated hepatocytes and isolated perfused rat livers. The activity of Na+/H+ exchange was determined from the rate of H+ efflux, 22Na uptake and pHi recovery. Arginine vasopressin and phenylephrine stimulated H+ efflux and 22Na uptake in isolated rat hepatocytes and increased the rate of pHi recovery from acid-loaded hepatocytes. These effects were inhibited by amiloride. Arginine vasopressin- and phenylephrine-induced increases in H+ efflux were also dependent on extracellular Na+. Arginine vasopressin- and phenylephrine-induced increases in intracellular Ca++ concentration, H+ efflux, 22Na uptake and intracellular pH recovery were decreased in hepatocytes preloaded with the Ca(++)-buffering agent [bis-(2-amino-5-methylphenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid] (MAPTA). Na+/H+ exchange-dependent intracellular pH recovery from cytosolic acidification was stimulated by thapsigargin, which increases intracellular calcium concentration by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum Ca++ ATPase. Arginine vasopressin- and phenylephrine-induced increases in intracellular pH recovery were not dependent on extracellular Ca++ and were inhibited by calmidazolium, a calmodulin inhibitor. Arginine vasopressin and phenylephrine also increased H+ efflux in the absence but not in the presence of amiloride in perfused rat livers without affecting biliary HCO3- excretion. These results indicate that arginine vasopressin and phenylephrine activate Na+/H+ exchange in rat hepatocytes, an effect mediated in part by intracellular Ca++ and calmodulin kinase. Furthermore, sinusoidal Na+/H+ exchange does not appear to be involved in biliary HCO3- excretion.

Mechanism of inhibition of hepatic bile acid uptake by amiloride and 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene (DIDS)

The mechanisms by which amiloride and 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene (DIDS) inhibit hepatic uptake of cholate and taurocholate (TC) were investigated in isolated rat hepatocytes. Amiloride inhibited Na(+)-dependent uptake of cholate and TC only when hepatocytes were preincubated with amiloride, indicating an indirect effect of amiloride. Time-dependent studies showed that the inhibition of bile acid uptake was associated with a parallel increase in intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i). Although amiloride decreased intracellular pH, this decrease preceded amiloride-induced inhibition of bile acid uptake and increase in [Na+]i. Amiloride inhibited bile acid uptake, decreased membrane potential, and increased [Na+]i with comparable concentration dependency. DIDS inhibited Na(+)-dependent uptake of cholate and TC non-competitively. Neither DIDS nor amiloride inhibited Na(+)-independent uptake of cholate and TC. These results indicate that amiloride inhibits Na(+)-dependent cholate and TC uptake by decreasing the transmembrane Na(+)-gradient, and further support the hypothesis that two different transporters may be involved in hepatic bile acid uptake by Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent mechanisms.

Taurine-conjugated bile acids act as Ca2+ ionophores

The ionophoretic properties of several taurine-conjugated bile acids have been investigated in two experimental systems: in a two-phase bulk partitioning system and in proteoliposomes. In the former, a bile acid/Ca2+ complex was extracted into the bulk organic phase and had an experimental stoichiometry of 1.75. Extraction was specific for Ca2+ over Mg2+; Na+ and K+ did not compete with the extraction of Ca2+. In the second system, bile acids at concentrations as low as 5-100 molecules/vesicle lowered the steady-state Ca2+ gradient maintained by a reconstituted sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. The effect was not due to nonspecific membrane perturbation. In addition to releasing intravesicular Ca2+ in a transmembraneous process, bile acids caused partition of Ca2+/bile acid complexes into the hydrophobic core of the bilayer. In both experimental systems, the Ca2+ ionophoretic activity correlated well with the concentration and the hydrophobicity of the bile acid. Taurolithocholate was most active, with a significant effect measurable at 10 microM in either system. Since bile acid concentrations equal to those used in our experiments can occur in the blood in certain liver diseases, the results support the notion that bile acids can increase the intracellular Ca2+ concentration bypassing the regulatory systems that maintain cellular Ca2+ homeostasis.

Amiloride and taurine inhibit cholate-induced HCO3(-)-rich choleresis in perfused rat livers

Bile acid-induced HCO3(-)-rich choleresis may be due to primary activation of sinusoidal Na(+)-H+ exchange or to biliary reabsorption of unconjugated bile acid. To test these hypotheses, we studied the effect of cholate and taurocholate (TC) (infused at 10 mumol/min for 20 min) on net H+ efflux, biliary [HCO3-], and bile flow in perfused rat livers and on intracellular pH (pHi) in isolated hepatocytes. Cholate, but not TC, produced HCO3(-)-rich choleresis. Amiloride and taurine decreased cholate-induced choleresis and HCO3- excretion and biliary excretion of unconjugated cholate. Amiloride, but not taurine, decreased cholate-induced net H+ efflux. Both cholate and TC (200-750 microM) decreased pHi. Cholate was metabolized to a polar compound, most likely cholate glucuronide, in the presence of amiloride. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the biliary reabsorption of unconjugated cholate may be involved in HCO3(-)-rich choleresis. Amiloride also inhibited net hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of cholate and TC without affecting hepatic content of bile acids. It is suggested that amiloride may decrease the maximal excretion rate of cholate and TC. Since cholate and TC induce amiloride-sensitive net H+ efflux and decrease pHi, it appears that cholate and TC activate Na(+)-H+ exchange indirectly by decreasing pHi.

Cocaine and lidocaine interfere with epinephrine-induced changes in intracellular calcium concentration and glucose efflux from rat hepatocytes

The mechanism of cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity is not clearly understood. Recent studies show that fluctuations in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and/or cyclic-AMP ([cAMP]) concentration play a major role in hormone action, and sustained elevations in [Ca2+]i may be involved in the initiation of hepatocellular damage. To evaluate the possible involvement of intracellular Ca2+ and/or cAMP, we investigated effects of cocaine and lidocaine on basal, epinephrine and dibutyryl cyclic-AMP (DBcAMP)-induced changes in [Ca2+]i and glucose efflux from isolated rat hepatocytes. [Ca2+]i was monitored continuously using a Ca2(+)-selective fluorescence indicator, Quin-2, and was calculated after correcting for autofluorescence. Neither cocaine nor lidocaine (0.1-5 mmol/l) affected basal [Ca2+]i, yet both agents decreased epinephrine (10 mumol/l) and DBcAMP (100 mumol/l)-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent fashion. Half-maximal inhibition occurred at 0.75 mmol/l cocaine and 1.7 mmol/l lidocaine. Cocaine and lidocaine also decreased epinephrine and DBcAMP-induced glucose efflux. The dose-dependent effect on epinephrine-induced glucose efflux was similar to that of both anesthetics on epinephrine-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. However, 5 mmol/l cocaine or lidocaine decreased DBcAMP-induced glucose efflux by less than 50%, and [Ca2+]i by more than 80%. Taken together, these results indicate that cocaine and lidocaine decrease the ability of epinephrine to stimulate glucose efflux by interfering with the Ca2(+)-mediated, and not the cAMP-mediated intracellular pathway. It is therefore speculated that alterations in metabolic endocrine regulation may contribute to cocaine's hepatotoxic effect.

Ursodeoxycholate-induced changes in hepatic Na+-H+ exchange and biliary HCO3- excretion

Ursodeoxycholate (UDC)-induced HCO3- -rich choleresis may be due to activation of sinusoidal Na+-H+ exchange followed by an increase in intracellular pH (pHi) and HCO3- excretion via canalicular Cl- -HCO3- exchange. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of UDC and tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC) on net H+ efflux from perfused rat livers and pHi in isolated hepatocytes in the presence and absence of amiloride. UDC-induced increases in biliary HCO3- concentration and excretion were inhibited by amiloride. However, these increases were temporally associated with an initial decline in H+ efflux and pHi followed by a gradual recovery toward base line. The initial decline in H+ efflux was associated with a rapid uptake of UDC. Amiloride inhibited only the recovery phases of H+ efflux and pHi. TUDC increased amiloride-sensitive H+ efflux without affecting biliary [HCO3-] and decreased pHi in the presence but not in the absence of amiloride. Amiloride decreased TUDC-induced choleresis and HCO3- excretion most likely by decreasing TUDC excretion. TUDC decreased biliary [Cl-] and increased hepatic O2 uptake more than UDC. We conclude that a rapid influx of UDC in the protonated form decreases pHi and net H+ efflux initially. The recovery phase is due to Na+-H+ exchange activated by decreased pHi and possibly by UDC and increased cellular respiration. TUDC indirectly stimulates Na+-H+ exchange most likely by increasing cellular respiration. UDC-induced HCO3- -rich choleresis, which is observed at a time when both net H+ efflux and pHi are less than control values, is unlikely to be due to a direct activation of Na+-H+ exchange.

Continuous-flow 13C-filtered 1H NMR spectroscopy of ethanol metabolism in rat liver perfusate

Using a 188.5-microliters continuous-flow dual probe 1H[13C] spin-echo difference spectra of rat liver perfusate were acquired. The conversion of [1-13C]ethanol to [1-13C]-acetaldehyde was readily monitored as a function of time. In combination with 1-1 water nonexcitation and WALTZ 13C decoupling, this method proved to be superior in sensitivity and selectivity to direct 1H or 13C detection.

Cocaine-induced changes in perfusion pressure and bile flow in perfused rat livers

Cocaine produces hepatotoxicity. To study the acute effect of cocaine on the liver, we used the isolated, single-pass perfused rat liver. When perfusion pressure was measured in a constant flow system, a 15-min infusion of cocaine (1.47 mM) increased perfusion pressure (136 +/- 15%), decreased bile flow (61 +/- 5%), and decreased oxygen uptake (82 +/- 5%). The vasoconstriction was concentration-dependent and reversible. The pressure increase elicited by cocaine was not inhibited by the alpha-receptor antagonists phentolamine, prazosin, or yohimbine. These antagonists did inhibit phenylephrine-induced increases in perfusion pressure. Neither serotonin at concentrations up to 1 mM nor lidocaine or procaine in concentrations equimolar to cocaine increased the perfusion pressure. Indomethacin (5 microM), SKF-525A, and chloramphenicol also failed to block vasoconstriction induced by cocaine. High concentrations of cocaine were cholestatic, while concentrations lower than 0.6 mM were choleretic. These results indicate that cocaine-induced vasoconstriction in the liver is not mediated by alpha-receptor activation or prostaglandins and does not require metabolic activation of cocaine. The acute effects of cocaine in the perfused liver are vascular (vasoconstriction) and functional (alteration in bile formation).

Effect of bile acids on calcium efflux from isolated rat hepatocytes and perfused rat livers

The changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) of hepatocytes induced by certain bile acids are biphasic: an initial increase is followed by a more gradual decrease. This latter decline in [Ca2+]i may be due to an efflux of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. This hypothesis was tested by studying the effect of different bile acids on the efflux of 45Ca from preloaded rat hepatocytes and isolated perfused rat livers. The following bile acids were studied: cholic (C), ursodeoxycholic (UDC), chenodeoxycholic (CDC), and deoxycholic (DC) acids; their taurine (T) conjugates (TC, TUDC, TCDC, and TDC); and the taurine, sulfate (S), and glucuronide (Glu) derivatives of lithocholic acid (TLC, LS, TLS, and LGlu, respectively). At 0.3 mM, all bile acids except C, TC, TCDC, UDC, and TUDC significantly increased 45Ca efflux from preloaded hepatocytes without affecting cell viability. Dose-response studies revealed that the minimum effective concentration needed to induce 45Ca efflux was 0.06 mM for LS, 0.8 mM for TCDC, and 10 mM for TC. Efflux of 86Rb from preloaded hepatocytes was not significantly altered by 0.1 mM LS, indicating relative specificity for calcium. TDC and DC, but not TC, increased 45Ca efflux from preloaded perfused rat livers. These results showed that bile acids known to increase [Ca2+]i (CDC, DC, TDC, and TLC) also increased 45Ca efflux from hepatocytes and perfused livers and that efflux was also stimulated by LS, TLS, and LGlu. The extent of this efflux was related to the hydrophobicity of the steroid nucleus of the bile acid. It is speculated that bile acid-induced increases in [Ca2+]i activate the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump resulting in increased Ca2+ efflux.

Basal and bile salt-stimulated bile flow and biliary lipid excretion in ponies

The role of bile salt in biliary lipid excretion was studied in 3 healthy ponies with chronic external biliary fistulas. After endogenous bile salt pool depletion, micelle-forming taurocholate or taurochenodeoxycholate was infused to replace excreted bile salt. Enterohepatic circulations were held open (total biliary diversion) throughout each study. Results indicated that biliary lipid excretion in ponies (113 +/- 21 nmol/min/kg of body weight) is approximately 10 times less than that reported in rodents. Although the lipid composition (4.4% cholesterol, 5.6% phospholipid, and 90% bile salt) was within the predicted range for a single phase of micellar (or vesicular) liquid in solution, it was supersaturated with cholesterol because of low absolute concentrations of bile salt and phospholipid. Ponies, like guinea pigs, were determined to have a high bile salt-independent secretion of biliary lipid with little (or no) coupling to endogenous bile salt output. However, bile salt excretion induced by higher taurocholate infusion rates (ie, those greater than the physiologic range of 61 to 125 nmol/min/kg) was positively correlated with an increase in biliary phospholipid excretion, but not cholesterol excretion, thus indicating that a threshold intracellular bile salt concentration may be associated with enhanced biliary phospholipid excretion in ponies. The apparent cholerectic effects of endogenous bile salts, taurocholate, and taurochenodeoxycholate (that is, the increment in bile flow per increment in bile salt recovered) were greater in ponies than reported for any other mammal.

Role of bicarbonate in biliary excretion of diisothiocyanostilbene disulfonate

Hepatic transport of 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) was studied in isolated perfused rat livers and in isolated rat hepatocytes to determine if DIDS-induced decrease in biliary HCO3- excretion is due to a DIDS-HCO3- exchange and/or due to inhibition of Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange. In isolated perfused rat livers, DIDS reversibly decreased biliary HCO3- concentration and excretion. The changes in biliary HCO3- concentration were inversely related to biliary DIDS concentration. DIDS was concentrated in bile, indicating active hepatic transport. Replacement of perfusate HCO3- with equimolar dimethyloxazolidinedione (DMO) or tricine decreased biliary excretion, but not hepatic uptake, of DIDS. Biliary excretion of DIDS was also associated with a decrease in bile pH, and this decrease in pH was greater in the presence of HCO3-. HCO3-, but not DMO or tricine, stimulated DIDS efflux from preloaded hepatocytes. DIDS efflux was also temperature dependent and increased with increasing extracellular pH. Collectively, these results are consistent with the presence of a DIDS-HCO3- (OH-) exchange mechanism at the canalicular membrane. HCO3(-)-dependent Cl- uptake in hepatocytes was competitively inhibited by DIDS (Ki = 0.24 mM), confirming the presence of DIDS-inhibitable Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange. However, the ability of DIDS to decrease biliary HCO3- excretion persisted when perfusate Cl- was replaced by isethionate. Moreover, biliary HCO3- concentration returned to base line despite the presence of 2-6 mM DIDS in bile. Thus it seems unlikely that the inhibition of Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange by DIDS is a major mechanism of inhibition of HCO3- excretion. We, therefore, conclude that a DIDS-HCO3- (OH-) exchange at the canalicular membrane is the most likely explanation for the observed decrease in biliary HCO3- excretion.

Hepatotoxic bile acids increase cytosolic Ca++ activity of isolated rat hepatocytes

Effects of bile acids on cystolic Ca++ activity and cell viability of isolated rat hepatocytes were studied to test the hypothesis that bile acids may produce hepatotoxicity by increasing cystolic Ca++ activity. Changes in cystolic Ca++ activity were calculated from time-dependent changes in fluorescence of quin-2 loaded hepatocytes. Release of lactate dehydrogenase and changes in propodium iodide fluorescence were used to assess cell viability. Bile acids studied were unconjugated and taurine-conjugated cholate, chenodeoxycholate (and taurochenodeoxycholate), deoxycholate (and taurodeoxycholate) and lithocholate (and taurolithocholate). With the exception of cholate and taurocholate, bile acids increased cystolic Ca++ activity within 10 to 30 sec in a concentration-dependent fashion (0.05 to 1.0 mM) and in the order lithocholate = taurolithocholate greater than chenodeoxycholate = taurochenodeoxycholate = deoxycholate = taurodeoxycholate. The initial increase in cystolic Ca++ activity by bile acids was not due to cell damage, since bile acid-induced decreases in cell viability were not significant until 2 to 3 min. At higher concentrations of unconjugated bile acid, there was a secondary increase in quin-2 fluorescence corresponding temporally to the increase in propodium iodide fluorescence, indicating cell damage after the initial increase in cystolic Ca++ activity. The ability of conjugated and unconjugated bile acids to increase cystolic Ca++ activity was abolished and decreased (60 to 90%), respectively, in the absence of extracellular Ca++, indicating that extracellular Ca++ is the major source of the bile acid-induced increase in cystolic Ca++ activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of H+ efflux pathways in rat hepatocytes

A pH-stat method was used to characterize H+ efflux pathways in hepatocytes in order to determine if Na+/H+ and Ca++/H+ exchange are involved in H+ efflux from hepatocytes under basal conditions and if cyclic AMP analogs affect Na+/H+ exchange. Total H+ efflux of freshly prepared hepatocytes ranged from 10 to 15 nmoles per min per mg protein. A part of total H+ efflux (35 to 50%) was dependent on extracellular Na+. This Na+-dependent H+ efflux was (i) inhibited by amiloride with a half-maximal effect at 0.3 mM, (ii) inhibited by ouabain, (iii) dependent on extracellular pH and (iv) characterized by a Km of 15 +/- 3 mM Na+ and a Vmax of 9 +/- 0.07 nmoles per min per mg protein. Amiloride, ouabain and replacement of Na+ by choline also decreased intracellular pH determined from equilibrium distribution of dimethyloxazolidinedione. Li+ could partially substitute for Na+ in Na+-dependent H+ efflux and in maintaining intracellular pH. Efflux of CO2 and lactic acid from hepatocytes represented 80% of Na+-independent H+ efflux. Efflux of H+ in the presence and absence of Na+ was not significantly altered by extracellular Ca++ (less than 10 microM and 1.0 mM). Thus, Ca++/H+ exchange is unlikely to contribute significantly to total H+ efflux from hepatocytes. Cyclic AMP analogs, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 8-bromo cyclic AMP, inhibited amiloride-sensitive Na+-dependent H+ efflux, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP decreased intracellular pH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bile acids increase cellular free calcium in cultured kidney cells (LLC-PK)

Suspensions of LLC-PK1 cells were used to determine the effect of bile acids on the cellular homeostasis of inorganic ions. It is determined that bile acids alter cellular free calcium (Cai) levels in LLC-PK1 cells. A series of bile acids were compared and found to produce increases in Cai in the order: lithocholate sulfate (LCS) greater than deoxycholate greater than chenodeoxycholate greater than lithocholate glucuronide greater than cholate. LCS (300 microM) produces changes in Cai (measured using Fura-2) qualitatively similar to those produced by 1 microM ionomycin, except that only ionomycin is able to release calcium from intracellular stores. The effect on Cai is roughly proportional to LCS concentration between 50 and 300 microM. The presence of 40 mM Na in the extracellular medium reduces the LCS-induced rise in Cai to 20% of that observed in the absence of Na. This effect is specific for Na versus 150 mM extracellular K, Li, or TMA. The effect is not dependent on the Na gradient across the membrane. At concentrations of LCS which induce changes in Cai, no significant effect of LCS is observed on either cellular Na or K levels, or intracellular pH.

Pharmacokinetics of dantrolene sodium in horses

The pharmacokinetics of dantrolene sodium were investigated in horses following both intravenous (2 mg/kg) and intragastric (4 mg/kg) administration. Two ponies also received dantrolene sodium intravenously (2 mg/kg) in a pilot study to obtain preliminary kinetic data and to determine urinary and biliary excretion of the intact drug. Distribution and elimination of dantrolene was rapid, resulting in an elimination half-life of 129 +/- 8 (SEM) min and a whole body clearance of 4.16 +/- 0.52 ml/min/kg. Following intragastric administration, dantrolene rapidly acheived peak concentrations within 1.5 h, but was incompletely absorbed, with a bioavailability of 39 +/- 10%. Small amounts of intact drug were recovered in urine and bile. Based upon disposition kinetics of dantrolene in these studies, intravenous and intragastric dosage regimens were determined which would maintain blood dantrolene concentrations within the predicted clinically effective range.

Effects of ion substitution on transport and choleretic effect of ouabain

The role of inorganic ions in hepatic transport and choleretic effect of ouabain was studied in isolated perfused rat liver to verify whether Na+-coupled ouabain uptake into hepatocytes is responsible for the choleretic effect. Hepatic uptake and clearance of ouabain were not significantly affected when perfusate Na+ was replaced by Li+ or choline+, chloride by nitrate or isethionate, or bicarbonate by tricine. However, these ion substitutions, with the exception of Li+, significantly reduced ouabain-induced choleresis and biliary electrolyte excretion. When ouabain was infused at different rates followed by perfusion without ouabain, changes in bile flow paralleled biliary excretion of ouabain rather than hepatic uptake. These results indicate that hepatic uptake of ouabain is not Na+ dependent and that the osmotic effect of biliary excreted ouabain is responsible for its choleretic effect. A part of the choleretic effect (30%) must also involve other mechanisms, since a permeable anion-like nitrate failed to substitute for perfusate chloride. Results of infusion studies also showed that ouabain was concentrated in liver (liver/perfusate = 30) and in bile (bile/liver = 15), indicating that ouabain is transported against its concentration gradient across both sinusoidal and canalicular membranes.

Effects of plasma sample storage on blood ammonia, bilirubin, and urea nitrogen concentrations: cats and horses

Ten horses, a pony, and 13 cats were used to evaluate base-line blood ammonia, bilirubin, and urea nitrogen concentrations and to determine The effects of prolonged cold storage (-20 degrees C) before assay. Base-line plasma ammonia concentrations in cats (0.992 +/- 0.083 [SE] micrograms/ml) did not change significantly after 48 hours of storage (0.871 +/- 0.073 micrograms/ml); however, they were increased 4.2- and 13-fold after 168 and 216 hours of storage, respectively. In contrast to base-line plasma-ammonia values in cats, those of horses were significantly (0.265 +/- 0.044 micrograms/ml) lower, and significantly increased from base-line values after 48 hours of storage (0.861 +/- 0.094 micrograms/ml) and continued to increase 25.6-fold at 168 hours and 18.4-fold at 216 hours. Plasma urea nitrogen concentrations in cats (25.8 +/- 1.06 mg/dl) and horses (11.2 +/- 0.749 mg/dl) did not change significantly during 168 hours of storage. Total plasma bilirubin values from both cats (0.19 +/- 0.049 mg/dl) and horses (0.75 +/- 0.064 mg/dl) also did not change significantly during storage. These results indicate that feline plasma samples for ammonia determinations may be stored at -20 degrees C for up to 48 hours, whereas equine plasma ammonia values tend to increase during that time. The reason for the increase remains unexplained. Both feline and equine plasma urea nitrogen and total bilirubin are stable for at least 168 hours of storage at -20 degrees C.

Role of extracellular Ca2+ in hepatic bile formation and taurocholate transport

The role of extracellular Ca2+ in hepatic bile formation, biliary membrane permeability, and taurocholate (TC) transport was studied in isolated perfused rat livers and in isolated rat hepatocytes to determine the functional importance of paracellular permeability in biliary bile acid excretion. Each liver was perfused for 1 h with perfusate containing 1.3 mM Ca2+ (control period) followed by another hour with 1.3, 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, 0.03, or 0.01 mM Ca2+ (experimental period). Basal bile flow and biliary excretion of added TC declined significantly only at and below 0.05 mM perfusate Ca2+ and was associated with an increase in bile-to-perfusate concentration ratio of [3H]inulin (B/P inulin ratio). A twofold increase in the diffusional permeability coefficient at 0.05 mM and a sixfold increase at 0.03 and 0.01 mM perfusate Ca2+ could explain the increased in B/P inulin ratios. Time-dependent increases in cell-to-medium concentration ratios of inulin were less in the absence than in the presence of Ca2+. Hepatic uptake rates of TC determined in isolated hepatocytes and from perfusate disappearance of added TC and efflux rates of TC from preloaded hepatocytes were not significantly affected by Ca2+ removal. It is possible that the observed decline in biliary TC excretion at low perfusate Ca2+ is due to regurgitation of secreted TC back into the perfusate followed by reuptake. This was supported by an accumulation of perfusate radioactivity when TC uptake inhibitors (furosemide and bumetanide) were added to the perfusate (0.03 mM Ca2+) 60 min after the addition of [14C]TC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Furosemide choleresis in isolated perfused rat liver: partial dependency on perfusate sodium and chloride

The effect of furosemide on hepatic bile formation was studied in isolated perfused rat liver to determine if 1) the observed cholestatic effect at lower dose of furosemide in vivo is a primary effect or a secondary effect due to decreased hepatic blood flow caused by the furosemide-induced volume contraction and if 2) the observed choleretic effect at higher doses can be explained by the osmotic effect of furosemide and its metabolites in bile. A single dose of furosemide (initial perfusate concentration 0.01, 0.1 or 1 mM) produced choleresis, whereas 0.001 mM furosemide did not affect bile flow significantly. Because furosemide failed to produce cholestasis at tested doses, the observed cholestasis in vivo at similar blood concentrations must be a secondary effect. Furosemide choleresis was associated with biliary secretion of furosemide and its metabolites. However, the choleretic effect expressed as microliters per micromole of drug secreted declined with increasing dose and biliary secretion. Furosemide choleresis was also associated with an increase in the net biliary secretion of Na+ and Cl-. The effect of Na+ and Cl- replacement on furosemide choleresis was studied to determine if the choleresis was a result of direct effect of furosemide on hepatic electrolyte transport. Replacement of perfusate Na+ completely by Li+ or partially by choline+ resulted in a 30 to 50% reduction in choleretic effect and furosemide-induced biliary Cl- secretion. A similar decline in choleretic effect and net furosemide-induced biliary Na+ secretion was also observed when perfusate Cl- was replaced by nitrate, acetate or isethionate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hepatobiliary transport of indocyanine green and sulfobromophthalein in fed and fasted horses

Fasting is associated with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in several species, including the horse. Studies in ponies showed that a 3-day fast decreased plasma clearance of bilirubin, cholic acid, and sulfobromophthalein (BSP). Since these organic anions are conjugated with different substrates, it is possible that observed differences in plasma clearance result from a general decrease in hepatic conjugating capacity during the animals' fasting. To test this hypothesis, the effects of a 3-day fast on plasma clearance of IV injected BSP (4.4 to 5.1 mg/kg), which is conjugated to glutathione, and indocyanine green (ICG; 0.8 to 1.1 mg/kg), which is not conjugated, were studied in 10 healthy horses and 2 ponies with diverted enterohepatic circulations (indwelling T tubes). Blood samples were obtained for 30 minutes after injection, and bile samples from ponies were obtained for 3 hours. Fasting increased plasma bilirubin concentration in all animals studied (from 1.03 +/- 0.337 mg/dl in control animals to 3.49 +/- 1.01 mg/dl in fasted animals). Kinetic values of ICG disappearance were determined from single exponential functions, and those for BSP were determined from both single and curvilinear (2-exponential) functions. Plasma clearance of BSP in fed horses (8.65 +/- 1.02 ml X min-1 X kg-1) was greater than clearance of ICG (3.54 +/- 0.67 ml X min-1 X kg-1), results similar to those reported in dogs, cats, rats, and persons. Fasting significantly decreased fractional plasma disappearance rate of both BSP (-36%) and ICG (-58%) and similarly reduced plasma clearance (BSP,-48%; ICG,-55%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of side-chain charge on hepatic transport of bile acids and bile acid analogues

The importance of side-chain charge on hepatic uptake and biliary secretion of bile acids and analogues was studied using the isolated, perfused rat liver and the anesthetized rat with a bile fistula. Derivatives of cholic acid with negative, neutral, zwitterionic, or positive charges on the side chain were synthesized and studied. Hepatic uptake by the isolated perfused liver, determined by measuring the rate of disappearance of a single 20-mumol bolus added to the perfusate, was strongly influenced by side-chain charge. A fully positively charged bile acid derivative (cholylcholamine) and two fully zwitterionic bile acid derivatives (CHAPS and cholyllysine) showed no appreciable uptake (less than 1% of the uptake rate of cholyltaurine). Bile acid derivatives existing mostly in cationic form (cholylamine) at pH 7.4, in neutral form (cholylglycylhistamine), or in divalent anion form (cholylaspartate and cholylcysteate) had an uptake rate that was greater but only 7-19% that of cholyltaurine. Side-chain charge also appeared to influence the rate of secretion into bile. Bile acids existing in mono- or dianionic form were well secreted (greater than 95% of dose in 2 h) into the bile, but all other derivatives had much lower secretion rates (less than 20% of dose in 2 h). When the biliary secretion of each bile acid derivative was expressed in relation to the amount that had entered the liver, relative secretion rates (presumably from liver cell) into bile decreased in the following order: cholyltaurine greater than cholylaspartate and cholylcysteate greater than CHAPS greater than cholyllysine greater than cholylglycylhistamine approximately equal to cholylamine. In bile fistula rats, cholylaspartate was quantitatively secreted into bile when infused at rates below its secretory maximum, whereas only very low biliary secretion rates of CHAPS were observed even during relatively high infusion rates; cholylamine was cholestatic. The above data show that, although uncharged and anionic derivatives of cholic acid may be taken up by the liver at a moderate rate, only anionic derivatives (both monovalent and divalent) are well secreted from within the liver cell into bile. A single negative charge on the side chain appears to be required for optimal transport of a bile acid from sinusoidal blood to bile.

Essential role of sodium and chloride for theophylline-induced choleresis in the isolated perfused rat liver

Active secretion of electrolytes by hepatocytes is believed to be responsible for bile acid-independent canalicular bile flow (BAICF). Theophylline, which enhances BAICF, has been shown to enhance electrogenic Cl- secretion in a number of other epithelia. Such transport is dependent on Na+ and Cl-. Thus, the mechanism of theophylline choleresis may also involve stimulation of electrogenic Cl- secretion of the liver. This hypothesis was tested by studying the effect of ion substitution on theophylline choleresis in isolated perfused rat livers. Addition of theophylline (0.1 mmol) and dibutyryl cAMP (0.05 mmol) to 100 ml perfusate, in a single dose, increased bile flow and biliary secretion of Na+ and Cl- reversibly. These effects of theophylline were virtually abolished when perfusate Na+ (146 mM) was replaced by Li+ (146 mM) or choline+ (120 mM), and when Cl- (127 mM) was replaced by 120 mM NO-3, acetate- or isethionate-. Since even the permeable ions like Li+ and NO-3 could not substitute for Na+ and Cl-, these results show that the effect of theophylline on BAICF is specifically dependent on the presence of Na+ and Cl- in the perfusate. We propose, by analogy to other epithelia, that an electrogenic Cl- secretion mechanism is present in the liver. Theophylline, acting via cAMP, stimulates this transport process, thereby enhancing BAICF.

Sodium and chloride dependency of dibucaine- and procaine-induced choleresis in isolated perfused rat livers

The effect of local anesthetics, dibucaine and procaine, on hepatic bile formation was studied in the isolated perfused rat liver. Perfusate Na+ and Cl- were replaced by other ions to define the possible mechanism of action. A single dose (50 mumol) of dibucaine produced an initial cholestasis followed by choleresis. Whereas dibucaine produced only choleresis at a lower dose (10 mumol), only the cholestatic effect was seen at a higher dose (100 mumol). Procaine, on the other hand, produced only choleresis at all doses (1, 10 and 100 mumol); this choleresis was associated with biliary secretion of procaine and its metabolites. Neither dibucaine nor procaine affected the low endogenous bile acid secretion in these studies. The diffusion permeability coefficient of [carboxy-14C]inulin was not altered significantly by dibucaine and procaine, suggesting no significant alteration of biliary permeability. Biliary secretion of Na+ or Cl- declined during cholestasis and increased during choleresis. The initial cholestatic effect of dibucaine was still present when perfusates Na+ and Cl- were replaced by permeable Li+ or NO3-, but declined when Cl- was replaced by relatively impermeable isethionate, suggesting a nonspecific effect. The choleretic effect of both dibucaine and procaine, however, declined significantly when Na+ or Cl- was replaced by Li+, NO3- or isethionate-. These ion-substitutions did not affect significantly the biliary secretion of procaine and its metabolites. The ability to induce biliary secretion of Na+ and Cl- also decreased when Cl- was replaced by NO3- or isethionate and when Na+ was replaced by Li+, respectively. These results suggest that a part of the choleretic effect of both dibucaine and procaine is specifically dependent on Na+ and Cl-. This fraction is thus unlikely to be due to the osmotic effect of the secreted drug. Further studies showed that dibucaine inhibited Na+-dependent hepatic uptake of taurocholate, suggesting possible interference with other Na+-dependent transport processes. It is proposed that although a part of the choleresis is due to the osmotic effect of the secreted drug, the specific dependency of a portion of the choleretic effect on Na+ and Cl- is due to inhibition of Na+-coupled Cl- reabsorption from the canaliculi.

Therapeutic doses of erythromycin esteolate is not cholestatic in rats in vivo

The effect of erythromycin esteolate (EE) on bile flow and bile acid secretion was studied in male Wistar rats in vivo. Daily oral treatment with a dose of up to 100 mg/kg for 1 week increased the bile flow and the bile acid secretion. Increasing the days of treatment to 4 weeks with a dose of 20 mg/kg did not alter the measured parameters significantly. Acute intravenous injection of erythromycin lactobionate (50 mg/kg) also increased bile flow and biliary bile acid secretion temporarily. The increase in bile flow may partly be due to the osmotic effect of the drug and its metabolites in bile. Since EE failed to produce cholestasis in the range of therapeutic doses, rats do not seem to be a suitable experimental model for studying EE-cholestasis.

Role of inorganic electrolytes in bile acid-independent canalicular bile formation

Ion-replacement studies were carried out in the isolated perfused rat liver to obtain insight into the role played by inorganic electrolytes in bile acid-independent canalicular bile flow (BAICF). The BAICF decreased significantly when Na+ (146 mM) was replaced by 120 mM K+, Rb+, Cs+, or choline and when Cl- (127 mM) was replaced by 120 mM acetate or isethionate; there was no reduction in BAICF when Na+ was replaced by Li+ (146 mM) and Cl- by NO-3. K+, Rb+, and Cs+, however, also caused a simultaneous decline in the perfusion rate. The BAICF decreased by 50% when HCO-3 was replaced by equimolar tricine; under this condition replacement of Cl- by NO-3, but not Na+ by Li+, decreased BAICF by 45%. Thus the hepatic transport of Cl- cannot be explained by simple diffusion only, and a special mechanism, probably Na+-coupled Cl- transport, may contribute about 30% of the BAICF. With Li+ replacing Na+ in the medium, the intracellular concentration of Li+ in isolated rat hepatocytes was less than that calculated for electrochemical equilibrium and was increased by 2 mM KCN, indicating active extrusion of this ion. Li+ was unable to activate Mg2+-ATPase of isolated rat liver plasma membranes, and 1 mM ouabain did not affect the Li+ distribution. These results suggest the potential importance of ion pumps other than Na+-K+-ATPase in BAICF.

Importance of solvent drag and diffusion in bile acid-dependent bile formation: ion substitution studies in isolated perfused rat liver

Ion substitution studies were carried out in the isolated perfused rat liver to define the importance of solvent drag and diffusion in bile acid-dependent bile formation. Two different methods, namely single injection (20 mu moles) and continuous infusions at 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mu moles per min taurocholate (TC), were used to determine the bile acid-dependent bile flow (BADF). Both methods gave essentially the same results. Replacement of Na+ (146mM) by 120 or 146 mM Li+ and Cl-(127mM) by 120 mM NO3- increased BADF significantly. On the other hand, replacement of Na+ by 120 mM choline and Cl- y 120 mM isethionate decreased the BADF. The osmolarity of TC solution was not different when Na+ was replaced by 120 mM Li+ or choline and TC did not affect the osmotic activity of NaCl, and choline-Cl differently. Thus, the observed effect of Na+ replacement on BADF is not due to any change in the osmotic activity of the secreted TC. Substitution of HCO3- by equimolar tricine also decreased BADF. Under this condition, BADF increased when NaCl was replaced by equimolar NaNO3. Thus, HCO3- does not seem to be essential for TC choleresis. Since Li+ and NO3- are more permeable, and choline and isethionate are less permeable than Na+ and Cl-, respectively, these results suggest that the BADF is dependent on the permeability of the substituting cations and anions and thus support the hypothesis that solvent drag and diffusion play an important role in BADF.

Stereospecific reduction of 3- and 7-oxo groups of oxocholanic acids in isolated perfused rat liver

The metabolism of 3- and 7-oxo groups of oxocholanic acids was studied in isolated perfused rat liver. The metabolites in bile were determined enzymatically using 3 alpha- and 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. The 3-oxo group of all the oxocholanic acids tested (dehydrocholate, glycodehydrocholate, taurodehydrocholate, 3,7-dioxocholanate, 3,12-dioxocholanate and tauro-7,12-dihydroxy-3-oxocholanate) was reduced stereospecifically to 3 alpha-hydroxy metabolites. On the other hand the 7-oxo group was excreted partially unchanged (30% of the dose) and partially as 7 alpha-hydroxy metabolites (6-10% of the dose). The remainder of the 7-oxo group was concluded to have been reduced to 7 beta-hydroxy metabolites. These results indicate that the 7-oxo group of oxocholanic acids is reduced predominantly to 7 beta-hydroxy metabolites in rats rather than to 7 alpha-hydroxy metabolites as found in man.

Increased biliary GSSG-secretion and loss of hepatic glutathione in isolated perfused rat liver after paraquat treatment

Perfusion of isolated rat livers with 1 mM paraquat for 3 hours led to a stimulated release of oxidized glutathione into the effluent caval perfusate and into the bile. Whereas the biliary stimulation was 245%, stimulation in to the perfusate was only 19.2%. In addition, the glutathione content in the paraquat-treated livers decreased from 2.74 +/- 0.23 to 0.80 +/- 0.07 mumol/g liver. The hepatic content of GSSG, however, was not changed by paraquat. This resulted in an elevated ratio of GSSG/GSH+2GSSG from 0.036 to 0.113. The total amount of GSSG released via bile and perfusate is less than the total loss of hepatic GSH. These findings are discussed in view of mechanisms by which paraquat decreases in GSH in the liver.

Altered hepatobiliary transport of taurocholic acid in aged rats

Hepatobiliary transport of taurocholic acid was studied in adult (3 months) and old (2 years) rats using an isolated perfused rat liver technique in order to determine the effect of age on hepatic uptake and secretion of bile acids simultaneously. The results were analyzed using a steady-state compartmental model to estimate the uptake and secretion of taurocholic acid. Hepatic secretion was decreased to a greater extent than the uptake in old rats. These changes in transport activities were associated with increases in perfusate and liver bile acid pool sizes. These results can explain the decrease in total pool size and synthesis rate of bile acids observed previously in old rats using in vivo studies. It has been suggested that the age-dependent decrease in bile acid transport capacity of the liver is secondary to the altered lipid composition of the liver plasma membranes of old rats.

Effect of dehydrocholic, chenodeoxycholic, and taurocholic acids on the excretion of bilirubin

The effects of IV bile acid infusion (at approx 20% of normal excretion rate) on the biliary excretion of 3-alpha-hydroxy bile acids and bilirubin were investigated in ponies prepared surgically with chronic external biliary fistulas. Endogenous bile acid excretion (approx 45 mumol/min) decreased to the hepatic synthesis rate (approx 1.5 mumol/min) during the initial 4 to 5 hours of bile drainage. In type 1 studies, both chenodeoxycholic and taurocholic acid infusion (8 to 9 mumol/min) increased bilirubin excretion by 58% to 82% following 5 hours of biliary diversion. During type 2 studies, 3-hour IV infusions (10.5 mumol/mon) of dehydrocholic acid, 4 hours following biliary diversion, increased bile flow by 45% to 62% and excretion of 3-alpha-hydroxy bile acid by 34% to 36% above preinfusion (hepatic synthesis) levels. Bilirubin excretion was not significantly changed during those increases in bile flow and bile acid excretion. Immediately after dehydrocholic acid infusion, taurocholic acid infusion (8.1 mumol/min) greatly increased bilirubin excretion for 1 hour (a reversal of hepatic storage identical to that found during type 1 studies), prolonged excretion (mg/2 hours) being two to three times that caused by dehydrocholic acid infusion. Bilirubin excretion appeared to correlate with the micelle-forming capacity of endogenous bile acids as opposed to the nonmicelle-forming characteristic of synthestic dehydrocholic acid.