Failure of the isolated liver to react to hypoglycemia

Abstract

The glucose output rates of isolated glycogen-containing rat livers were determined during perfusion at different blood glucose concentrations. When blood containing normal glucose levels was replaced with hypoglycemic blood, there was no increase in hepatic glucose output. The failure to react to hypoglycemia was not due to defects in the mechanisms for production or release of glucose, since hepatic glucose output always rose sharply after addition of glucagon to the perfusing blood. It is concluded that the liver does not respond to hypoglycemia directly, but requires extrinsic stimulation to carry out its function of supporting the blood glucose level.