Po-Shiuan Hsieh

Rapid reversal of the effects of the portal signal under hyperinsulinemic conditions in the conscious dog

Experiments were performed on two groups of 42-h-fasted conscious dogs ( n = 6/group). Somatostatin was given peripherally with insulin (4-fold basal) and glucagon (basal) intraportally. In the first experimental period, glucose was infused peripherally to double the hepatic glucose load (HGL) in both groups. In the second experimental period, glucose (21.8 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) was infused intraportally and the peripheral glucose infusion rate (PeGIR) was reduced to maintain the precreating HGL in the portal signal (PO) group, whereas saline was given intraportally in the control (CON) group and PeGIR was not changed. In the third period, the portal glucose infusion was stopped in the PO group and PeGIR was increased to sustain HGL. PeGIR was continued in the CON group. The glucose loads to the liver did not differ in the CON and PO groups. Net hepatic glucose uptake was 9.6 ± 2.5, 11.6 ± 2.6, and 15.5 ± 3.2 vs. 10.8 ± 1.8, 23.7 ± 3.0, and 15.5 ± 1.1 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, and nonhepatic glucose uptake (non-HGU) was 29.8 ± 1.1, 40.1 ± 4.5, and 49.5 ± 4.0 vs. 26.6 ± 4.3, 23.2 ± 4.0, and 40.4 ± 3.1 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1in the CON and PO groups during the three periods, respectively. Cessation of the portal signal shifted NHGU and non-HGU to rates similar to those evident in the CON group within 10 min. These results indicate that even under hyperinsulinemic conditions the effects of the portal signal on hepatic and peripheral glucose uptake are rapidly reversible.Experiments were performed on two groups of 42-h-fasted conscious dogs (n = 6/group). Somatostatin was given peripherally with insulin (4-fold basal) and glucagon (basal) intraportally. In the first experimental period, glucose was infused peripherally to double the hepatic glucose load (HGL) in both groups. In the second experimental period, glucose (21.8 micromol. kg-1. min-1) was infused intraportally and the peripheral glucose infusion rate (PeGIR) was reduced to maintain the precreating HGL in the portal signal (PO) group, whereas saline was given intraportally in the control (CON) group and PeGIR was not changed. In the third period, the portal glucose infusion was stopped in the PO group and PeGIR was increased to sustain HGL. PeGIR was continued in the CON group. The glucose loads to the liver did not differ in the CON and PO groups. Net hepatic glucose uptake was 9.6 +/- 2.5, 11.6 +/- 2.6, and 15.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 10.8 +/- 1.8, 23.7 +/- 3.0, and 15.5 +/- 1.1 micromol. kg-1. min-1, and nonhepatic glucose uptake (non-HGU) was 29.8 +/- 1.1, 40.1 +/- 4.5, and 49.5 +/- 4.0 vs. 26.6 +/- 4.3, 23.2 +/- 4.0, and 40.4 +/- 3.1 micromol. kg-1. min-1 in the CON and PO groups during the three periods, respectively. Cessation of the portal signal shifted NHGU and non-HGU to rates similar to those evident in the CON group within 10 min. These results indicate that even under hyperinsulinemic conditions the effects of the portal signal on hepatic and peripheral glucose uptake are rapidly reversible.

Hepatic glucose uptake rapidly decreases after removal of the portal signal in conscious dogs

The aim of this study was to assess the decay of the effect of the portal signal on net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU). Experiments were performed on five 42-h-fasted conscious dogs. After the 40-min basal period, somatostatin was given peripherally along with insulin (1.8 pmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) and glucagon (0.65 ng ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) intraportally. In the first experimental period (Pe-GLU-1; 90 min), glucose was infused into a peripheral vein to double the glucose load to the liver (HGL). In the second experimental period (Po-GLU; 90 min), glucose (20.1 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) was infused intraportally and the peripheral glucose infusion was reduced to maintain the same HGL. In the third period (Pe-GLU-2; 120 min), the portal glucose infusion was stopped and the peripheral glucose infusion was increased to again sustain HGL. Arterial insulin levels (42 ± 3, 47 ± 3, 43 ± 3 pmol/l) were basal and similar in the Pe-GLU-1, Po-GLU, and Pe-GLU-2 periods, respectively. Arterial glucagon levels were also basal and similar (51 ± 3, 49 ± 2, 46 ± 2 ng/l) in the three experimental periods. The glucose loads to the liver were 251 ± 11, 274 ± 14, and 276 ± 12 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively. NHGU was 6.3 ± 2.4, 19.1 ± 2.8, and 9.2 ± 1.2 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, and nonhepatic glucose uptake (non-HGU) was 23.6 ± 3.0, 5.3 ± 1.8, and 25.5 ± 3.7 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1in the three periods, respectively. Cessation of the portal signal for only 10 min shifted NHGU and non-HGU to 9.4 ± 2.2 and 25.0 ± 2.8 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, respectively; thus the effect of the portal signal was rapidly reversed both at the liver and peripheral tissues.The aim of this study was to assess the decay of the effect of the portal signal on net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU). Experiments were performed on five 42-h-fasted conscious dogs. After the 40-min basal period, somatostatin was given peripherally along with insulin (1.8 pmol. kg-1. min-1) and glucagon (0.65 ng. kg-1. min-1) intraportally. In the first experimental period (Pe-GLU-1; 90 min), glucose was infused into a peripheral vein to double the glucose load to the liver (HGL). In the second experimental period (Po-GLU; 90 min), glucose (20.1 micromol. kg-1. min-1) was infused intraportally and the peripheral glucose infusion was reduced to maintain the same HGL. In the third period (Pe-GLU-2; 120 min), the portal glucose infusion was stopped and the peripheral glucose infusion was increased to again sustain HGL. Arterial insulin levels (42 +/- 3, 47 +/- 3, 43 +/- 3 pmol/l) were basal and similar in the Pe-GLU-1, Po-GLU, and Pe-GLU-2 periods, respectively. Arterial glucagon levels were also basal and similar (51 +/- 3, 49 +/- 2, 46 +/- 2 ng/l) in the three experimental periods. The glucose loads to the liver were 251 +/- 11, 274 +/- 14, and 276 +/- 12 micromol. kg-1. min-1, respectively. NHGU was 6.3 +/- 2.4, 19.1 +/- 2.8, and 9.2 +/- 1.2 micromol. kg-1. min-1, and nonhepatic glucose uptake (non-HGU) was 23.6 +/- 3.0, 5.3 +/- 1.8, and 25.5 +/- 3.7 micromol. kg-1. min-1 in the three periods, respectively. Cessation of the portal signal for only 10 min shifted NHGU and non-HGU to 9.4 +/- 2.2 and 25.0 +/- 2.8 micromol. kg-1. min-1, respectively; thus the effect of the portal signal was rapidly reversed both at the liver and peripheral tissues.

Differential effect of amino acid infusion route on net hepatic glucose uptake in the dog

Concomitant portal infusion of gluconeogenic amino acids (GNGAA) and glucose significantly reduces net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU), in comparison with NHGU during portal infusion of glucose alone. To determine whether this effect on NHGU is specific to the portal route of GNGAA delivery, somatostatin, intraportal insulin (3-fold basal) and glucagon (basal), and intraportal glucose (to increase the hepatic glucose load by approximately 50%) were infused for 240 min. GNGAA were infused peripherally into a group of dogs (PeAA), at a rate to match the hepatic GNGAA load in a group of dogs that were given the same GNGAA mixture intraportally (PoAA) at 7.6 micromol. kg-1. min-1 (9). The arterial blood glucose concentrations and hepatic glucose loads were the same in the two groups, but NHGU (-0. 9 +/- 0.2 PoAA and -2.1 +/- 0.5 mg. kg-1. min-1 in PeAA, P < 0.05) and net hepatic fractional extraction of glucose (2.6 +/- 0.7% in PoAA vs. 5.9 +/- 1.4% in PeAA, P < 0.05) differed. Neither the hepatic loads nor the net hepatic uptakes of GNGAA were significantly different in the two groups. Net hepatic glycogen synthesis was approximately 2.5-fold greater in PeAA than PoAA (P < 0.05). Intraportal, but not peripheral, amino acid infusion suppresses NHGU and net hepatic glycogen synthesis in response to intraportal glucose infusion.Concomitant portal infusion of gluconeogenic amino acids (GNGAA) and glucose significantly reduces net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU), in comparison with NHGU during portal infusion of glucose alone. To determine whether this effect on NHGU is specific to the portal route of GNGAA delivery, somatostatin, intraportal insulin (3-fold basal) and glucagon (basal), and intraportal glucose (to increase the hepatic glucose load by ∼50%) were infused for 240 min. GNGAA were infused peripherally into a group of dogs (PeAA), at a rate to match the hepatic GNGAA load in a group of dogs that were given the same GNGAA mixture intraportally (PoAA) at 7.6 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1(9). The arterial blood glucose concentrations and hepatic glucose loads were the same in the two groups, but NHGU (-0.9 ± 0.2 PoAA and -2.1 ± 0.5 mg ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1in PeAA, P < 0.05) and net hepatic fractional extraction of glucose (2.6 ± 0.7% in PoAA vs. 5.9 ± 1.4% in PeAA, P < 0.05) differed. Neither the hepatic loads nor the net hepatic uptakes of GNGAA were significantly different in the two groups. Net hepatic glycogen synthesis was ∼2.5-fold greater in PeAA than PoAA ( P < 0.05). Intraportal, but not peripheral, amino acid infusion suppresses NHGU and net hepatic glycogen synthesis in response to intraportal glucose infusion.

Hepatic glucose disposition during concomitant portal glucose and amino acid infusions in the dog

The effect of concomitant intraportal infusion of glucose and gluconeogenic amino acids (AA) on net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) and glycogen synthesis was examined in 42-h-fasted dogs. After a basal period, there was a 240-min experimental period during which somatostatin was infused continuously into a peripheral vein and insulin and glucagon (at 3-fold basal and basal rates, respectively) and glucose (18.3 mumol.kg-1.min-1) were infused intraportally. One group (PoAA, n = 7) received an AA mixture intraportally at 7.6 mumol.kg-1.min-1, whereas the other group (NoAA, n = 6) did not receive AA. Arterial blood glucose concentrations and hepatic glucose loads were the same in the two groups. NHGU averaged 4.8 +/- 2.0 (PoAA) and 9.4 +/- 2.0 (NoAA) mumol.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.05), and tracer-determined hepatic glucose uptake was 4.6 +/- 1.6 (PoAA) and 10.0 +/- 1.7 (NoAA) mumol.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.05). AA data for PoAA and NoAA, respectively, were as follows: arterial blood concentrations, 1,578 +/- 133 vs. 1,147 +/- 86 microM (P < 0.01); hepatic loads, 56 +/- 3 vs. 32 +/- 4 mumol.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.01); and net hepatic uptakes, 14.1 +/- 1.4 vs. 5.6 +/- 0.4 mumol.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.01). The rate of net hepatic glycogen synthesis was 7.5 +/- 1.9 (PoAA) vs. 10.7 +/- 2.3 (NoAA) mumol.kg-1.min-1 (P = 0.1). In a net sense, intraportal gluconeogenic amino acid delivery directed glucose carbon away from the liver. Despite this, net hepatic carbon uptake was equivalent in the presence and absence of amino acid infusion.The effect of concomitant intraportal infusion of glucose and gluconeogenic amino acids (AA) on net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) and glycogen synthesis was examined in 42-h-fasted dogs. After a basal period, there was a 240-min experimental period during which somatostatin was infused continuously into a peripheral vein and insulin and glucagon (at 3-fold basal and basal rates, respectively) and glucose (18.3 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) were infused intraportally. One group (PoAA, n = 7) received an AA mixture intraportally at 7.6 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, whereas the other group (NoAA, n = 6) did not receive AA. Arterial blood glucose concentrations and hepatic glucose loads were the same in the two groups. NHGU averaged 4.8 ± 2.0 (PoAA) and 9.4 ± 2.0 (NoAA) μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1( P < 0.05), and tracer-determined hepatic glucose uptake was 4.6 ± 1.6 (PoAA) and 10.0 ± 1.7 (NoAA) μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1( P < 0.05). AA data for PoAA and NoAA, respectively, were as follows: arterial blood concentrations, 1,578 ± 133 vs. 1,147 ± 86 μM ( P < 0.01); hepatic loads, 56 ± 3 vs. 32 ± 4 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1( P < 0.01); and net hepatic uptakes, 14.1 ± 1.4 vs. 5.6 ± 0.4 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1( P < 0.01). The rate of net hepatic glycogen synthesis was 7.5 ± 1.9 (PoAA) vs. 10.7 ± 2.3 (NoAA) μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1( P = 0.1). In a net sense, intraportal gluconeogenic amino acid delivery directed glucose carbon away from the liver. Despite this, net hepatic carbon uptake was equivalent in the presence and absence of amino acid infusion.

The head arterial glucose level is not the reference site for generation of the portal signal in conscious dogs

Experiments were performed on twelve 42-h-fasted, conscious dogs to determine whether the head arterial glucose level is used as a reference standard for comparison with the portal glucose level in bringing about the stimulatory effect of portal glucose delivery on net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU). Each experiment consisted of an 80-min equilibration, a 40-min control, and two 90-min test periods. After the control period, somatostatin was given along with insulin (7.2 pmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1; 3.5-fold increase) and glucagon (0.6 ng ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1; basal) intraportally. Glucose was infused intraportally (22.2 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) and peripherally as needed to double the hepatic glucose load. In one test period, glucose was infused into both vertebral and carotid arteries (HEADG; 22.2 ± 0.8 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1); in the other test period, saline was infused into the head arteries (HEADS). One-half of the dogs received HEADG first. When all dogs are considered, the blood arterial-portal glucose gradients (-0.52 ± 0.07 vs. -0.49 ± 0.03 mM) and the hepatic glucose loads (339 ± 14 vs. 334 ± 20 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) were similar in HEADG and HEADS. NHGU was 24.1 ± 3.8 and 25.1 ± 4.6 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, and nonhepatic glucose uptake was 46.1 ± 4.2 and 48.8 ± 7.0 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1in HEADG and HEADS, respectively. The head arterial glucose level is not the reference standard used for comparison with the portal glucose level in the generation of the portal signal.Experiments were performed on twelve 42-h-fasted, conscious dogs to determine whether the head arterial glucose level is used as a reference standard for comparison with the portal glucose level in bringing about the stimulatory effect of portal glucose delivery on net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU). Each experiment consisted of an 80-min equilibration, a 40-min control, and two 90-min test periods. After the control period, somatostatin was given along with insulin (7.2 pmol. kg(-1). min(-1); 3.5-fold increase) and glucagon (0.6 ng. kg(-1). min(-1); basal) intraportally. Glucose was infused intraportally (22.2 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1)) and peripherally as needed to double the hepatic glucose load. In one test period, glucose was infused into both vertebral and carotid arteries (HEAD(G); 22.2 +/- 0.8 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1)); in the other test period, saline was infused into the head arteries (HEAD(S)). One-half of the dogs received HEAD(G) first. When all dogs are considered, the blood arterial-portal glucose gradients (-0.52 +/- 0.07 vs. -0.49 +/- 0.03 mM) and the hepatic glucose loads (339 +/- 14 vs. 334 +/- 20 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1)) were similar in HEAD(G) and HEAD(S). NHGU was 24.1 +/- 3.8 and 25.1 +/- 4.6 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1), and nonhepatic glucose uptake was 46.1 +/- 4.2 and 48.8 +/- 7.0 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1) in HEAD(G) and HEAD(S), respectively. The head arterial glucose level is not the reference standard used for comparison with the portal glucose level in the generation of the portal signal.