Control of the levels of free amino acids in plasma by the liver
Schimassek, H.; Gerok, W.
Biochemische Zeitschrift 343(4): 407-415
1965
ISSN/ISBN: 0366-0753 PMID: 5875440 Document Number: 2771
The levels of free amino acids were studied in isolated perfused rat livers (at the end of perfusion) and in the perfusion medium (during perfusion). For comparative purposes, quantitative amino acid analyses were conducted on rat plasma and on the non-perfused liver (in vivo state). The isolated perfused liver releases amino acids into the perfusion medium. After 90 min. of perfusion, an almost constant level for individual amino acids establishes itself in the perfusion medium. The amino acid release of the liver is not a passive "washing out" of free amino acids as the intra-cellular content of the amino acids in liver is not diminished during perfusion. The concentration of most of individual amino acids is of the same order of magnitude in the medium and rat plasma. The same applies to intracellular amino acid content comparing with the non-perfused organ. The essential amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine undergo the greatest, exceptional increase in the perfused organ and in the perfusion medium when compared with the non-perfused liver and rat plasma. The different ratios between the intra- and extracellular levels of individual amino acids correspond in the perfused liver to those in vivo. The origin of the amino acids formed in the liver, and possible factors for the behavior of special essential amino acids are being discussed.
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