AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 243, Issue 3 182-E187, Copyright © 1982 by American Physiological Society
Liver glycogen synthase and phosphorylase changes in vivo with hypoxia and anesthetics
J. Theen, D. P. Gilboe and F. Q. Nuttall
Methods for obtaining and processing rat liver for determination of
glycogen phosphorylase a and synthase I activity were studied. An extremely
rapid and profound increase in phosphorylase was induced by hypoxia. The
effect on synthase I was slower and less striking. Using alpha- and
beta-adrenergic antagonists, a catecholamine-depleting agent, and a
ganglionic blocking agent, it was determined that adrenergic stimulation
secondary to the surgical procedure required to obtain the liver was not a
significant factor. The anesthetic agent used also had a significant effect
on the proportion of phosphorylase in the a form. Seconal anesthesia
resulted in lower phosphorylase a levels than did ether or urethan
anesthesia.
