Uptake and metabolism of amino acids by the dog liver perfused in situ

¹ Departments of Biological Chemistry and Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and the Department of Surgical Research, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois

Dog livers were perfused in situ for periods up to 6 hr with dog blood recycled through a pump-oxygenator. An amino acid mixture was administered for 90 min. Concentrations of amino acids were determined at intervals of 30 min or more. Rates of uptake and metabolism were calculated. After the start of perfusion, there is a fall in most plasma amino acid concentrations and a reciprocal rise in liver amino acids. Addition of amino acids causes a sharp rise in plasma amino acids. There is a rapid uptake of most of the amino acids by liver, although the concentrations of amino acids in liver fail to rise appreciably. Notable exceptions are valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Uptake of amino acids stimulates: a) an increase in the rate of synthesis of urea which ultimately accounts for 90% of the metabolized amino acids; b) a net synthesis of ornithine; and c) net noncatabolic metabolism of amino acids which may in part be protein synthesis. The results support the view that the liver temporarily stores a part of ingested amino acids as proteins, and subsequently makes them available to other organs.

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