Regulation of oxygen consumption in rat liver slices

Abstract

Oxygen consumption, ATP, ADP, and reduced and oxidized pyridine nucleotide were measured in liver slices which were taken from fed, fasted, and refed rats and subjected to varying durations of anoxia. Oxygen consumption was low in slices from fasted rats and was increased after anoxia in all three groups of rats. Liver slices from fasted rats were also characterized by low concentrations of adenine nucleotides and oxidized pyridine nucleotide. These decreased during anoxia in all groups. Reduced pyridine nucleotide was low in fasted rats, intermediate in fed, and high in refed rats. There was an increase in concentration after 5 min of anoxia. The relationship among these variables is discussed in regard to the concept of nucleotide control of oxygen consumption.