HEPATIC ELECTROLYTE AND GLUCOSE RESPONSES TO EPINEPHRINE

¹ Department of Surgical Research, Hektoen Institute for Medical Research, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois

The effect of epinephrine was studied in the rabbit liver perfused in situ under normothermic and hypothermic conditions. After 2 µg of epinephrine, perfusion flow rate increased within the first 20 seconds in normothermia; this flow response was delayed in hypothermia. The K concentration of the perfusate leaving the liver and the net rate of hepatic K output increased in response to epinephrine. These maxima were reached 30 seconds after 2 µg of epinephrine administration in both normothermia and hypothermia; with 20 µg of epinephrine the K response was more prolonged. The return of K to control levels was delayed in hypothermic experiments. Chloride concentration of the perfusate increased after epinephrine in the hypothermic liver. Administration of epinephrine in 20-µg doses produced an increase in perfusate pH, HCO₃ and total CO₂, concentrations; this may indicate either increased HCO₃- output or increased CO₂ output together with uptake of H ion (or its equivalent), or both. The rate of hepatic glucose output reached maximal values in an average of 3 minutes after epinephrine in normothermia, but was somewhat delayed in hypothermia.