AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 232, Issue 6 652-H656, Copyright © 1977 by American Physiological Society
Effect of stimulation of hepatic nerves on hepatic O2 uptake and blood flow
W. W. Lautt
Acute denervation of the liver did not result in changes of oxygen uptake
or hemodynamics in the intact liver of the cat. Stimulation of the hepatic
nerves resulted in a marked reduction of vascular conductance of the
hepatic artery and portal vein (intrahepatic) resulting in almost complete
cessation of arterial flow and increased portal blood pressure. The hepatic
artery showed a more complete escape from the neurogenic vasoconstriction
than did the portal vein. During the stable "escape phase" oxygen delivery
was 86% of control, but hepatic extraction of oxygen increased so that
oxygen uptake was not altered from control values. The return of oxygen
consumption to normal during nerve stimulation suggests that redistribution
of hepatic blood flow did not occur. In spite of arterial and portal venous
blood pressure changes and changes in gut conductance, oxygen extraction of
the gut did not change.
