CHANGES IN DISTRIBUTION OF ENZYMES WITHIN THE LIVER LOBULE DURING ADAPTIVE INCREASES

Abstract

Quantitative determination of three enzymes in periportal and centrilobular cells of the liver lobule were made following experimental treatment to alter enzyme levels. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase was initially five times higher in periportal cells and increased 3-fold during a 3-day fast in periportal cells, and 4-fold in centrilobular cells. Tyrosine transaminase was initially distributed uniformly. Four hours after giving hydrocortisone it had increased somewhat more (6-fold) in portal cells than in central cells (4-fold). Preliminary results for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase suggest that greater increases occur in central cells than portal cells during adaptation (recovery from fasting).