We studied the effect of apolipoprotein A-I-tetrahydrocortisone complex on (14)C glucose absorption and lactate accumulation and on the rate of protein biosynthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes. The presence of apolipoprotein A-I-tetrahydrocortisone complex in the incubation medium increased absorption of labeled glucose by hepatocytes by 52%, while lactate content in the conditioning medium increased 4-fold. The rate of protein biosynthesis increased by 80% in comparison with control cells. It is hypothesized that the increase in protein biosynthesis rate in hepatocytes under the effect of apolipoprotein A-I-tetrahydrocortisone complex is due to stimulation of energy metabolism, specifically, of its glycolytic component.