Effect of adrenalcortical hormones on release of triglycerides and glucose by liver

Abstract

The uptake of free fatty acid and release of triglyceride, glucose, ketone bodies, and urea by the isolated perfused rat liver was measured using livers obtained from normal or adrenalectomized animals, or from animals treated with cortisone. Release of triglyceride and glucose was depressed and output of ketone bodies was moderately stimulated after adrenalectomy. Uptake of free fatty acids and output of urea was not altered by adrenalectomy. Treatment of the adrenalectomized animal with cortisone restored triglyceride and ketone body output to normal values and stimulated glucose release. Cortisol added to the medium in vitro stimulated output of triglyceride and glucose by the liver. A critical concentration of hormone was attained below which there was no stimulation and above which there was inhibition of triglyceride release. Cortisol at this concentration stimulated triglyceride output by livers from normal rats and increased the depressed rate of triglyceride output seen with livers from adrenalectomized rats. This same amount of cortisol induced the maximal output of glucose by livers from normal animals.