AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 246, Issue 6 544-E547, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society
A new technique for hepatic portal vein catheterization in freely moving rats
A. Helman, D. Castaing, J. Morin, N. Pfister-Lemaire and R. Assan
To perform kinetic studies of pancreatic hormones in freely moving rats, we
have designed a new technique for hepatic portal vein catheterization
through the left branch of the portal vein. Rats were followed up for 14-38
days. Catheter patency allowed blood sampling in 86% of rats on
postoperative day 8 and in 55% on day 12. Rat growth, liver functions, and
regional blood flows (measured with radiolabeled microspheres) were normal.
In freely moving rats fasted for 16 h, portal venous concentrations in the
basal state were: glucose, 112 +/- 4 mg/dl; insulin, 67 +/- 10 microU/ml;
and glucagon, 480 +/- 74 pg/ml. These values remained stable for a 1-h
period. Intravenous glucose infusion induced a biphasic insulin release,
significant from the 1st min of infusion on, and a significant decline in
glucagon level. Intravenous arginine stimulated both A and B cells. The
portoperipheral hormone concentration gradient, which was detected in the
basal state, increased during arginine infusion, particularly in regard to
insulin. Ingestion of a mixed meal induced an early glucagon release and a
sustained rise in insulin and glucose concentrations.
