Net hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis were examined in normal (n = 4) and cirrhotic (n = 8) subjects using two independent methods [¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and a ²H₂O method]. Rates of net hepatic glycogenolysis were calculated by the change in hepatic glycogen content before (~11:00 PM) and after (~7:00 AM) an overnight fast using ¹³C NMR and magnetic resonance imaging. Gluconeogenesis was calculated as the difference between the rates of glucose production determined with an infusion of [6,6-²H₂]glucose and net hepatic glycogenolysis. In addition, the contribution of gluconeogenesis to glucose production was determined by the ²H enrichment in C-5/C-2 of blood glucose after intake of ²H₂O (5 ml/kg body water). Plasma levels of total and free insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-I binding proteins-1 and -3 were significantly decreased in the cirrhotic subjects (P < 0.01 vs. controls). Postprandial hepatic glycogen concentrations were 34% lower in the cirrhotic subjects (P = 0.007). Rates of glucose production were similar between the cirrhotic and healthy subjects [9.0 ± 0.9 and 10.0 ± 0.8 µmol · kg body wt¹ · min¹, respectively]. Net hepatic glycogenolysis was 3.5-fold lower in the cirrhotic subjects (P = 0.01) and accounted for only 13 ± 6% of glucose production compared with 40 ± 10% (P = 0.03) in the control subjects. Gluconeogenesis was markedly increased in the cirrhotic subjects and accounted for 87 ± 6% of glucose production vs. controls: 60 ± 10% (P = 0.03). Gluconeogenesis in the cirrhotic subjects, as determined from the ²H enrichment in glucose C-5/C-2, was also increased and accounted for 68 ± 3% of glucose production compared with 54 ± 2% (P = 0.02) in the control subjects. In conclusion, cirrhotic subjects have increased rates of gluconeogenesis and decreased rates of net hepatic glycogenolysis compared with control subjects. These alterations are likely important contributing factors to their altered carbohydrate metabolism.

¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; ²H₂O; insulin-like growth factor I

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