Decrease of Oxygen Consumption in the Dog Liver during Temporary Arterial Occlusion

Abstract

The effects of occlusion of the hepatic artery on total and regional splanchnic O2 consumption were studied in lightly anesthetized dogs. Mean whole body O2 uptake (.+-. SD) was 4.72 .+-. 0.55 ml/kg b.w. [body weight] min-1, mean liver O2 uptake (.+-. SD) 1.18 .+-. 0.42 ml/kg b.w. min-1 and mean O2 uptake of the portally-drained tissues (.+-. SD) was 0.80 .+-. 0.54 ml/kg b.w. min-1 during the control period. The hepatic artery contributed 45 .+-. 24% of the total liver O2 uptake. The duration of occlusion was 45 min. Mean liver O2 uptake decreased to 64% of control values. The extraction of O2 from the portal blood increased slightly. Mean whole body O2 uptake and mean O2 uptake of the portally-drained tissues were unchanged. Liver O2 consumption returned to control values 45 min after release of hepatic artery occlusion. O2 uptake in the liver may be correlated to O2 tension.