The action of adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine and histamine on the perfused liver of the monkey, cat and rabbit

Abstract

In an earlier paper (Andrews, Hecker, Maegraith & Ritchie, 1955) we described the actions of adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine and histamine on the perfused canine liver. In this paper we record briefly a study of the action of the same substances on the livers of the monkey, cat and rabbit. The work has been carried out in order to assess differences in the reactions of the hepatic vessels of these mammals. We were especially interested in the part played by the hepatic veins in the control of liver blood flow. METHODS ApparatusThe apparatus used was based on that described by Andrews (1953), but was modified to work with an extra-hepatic fluid volume of 150 ml. It is illustrated in the text diagram and is described below.From the hepatic veins the blood was conducted via an outflow recorder (Andrews, 1952) and a nylon filter to the main reservoir. From here it was pumped to a Hooker oxygenator, at whose base was a small chamber which acted as an upper constant-level reservoir. The excess of blood drained back via an outflow tube to the main reservoir. The upper reservoir was approximately 40 cm above the level of the liver, and blood flowed from it to the liver via a water-bath which was placed between the hindlegs of the animal. In the water-bath the blood stream was warmed to body heat and then passed to either the portal or arterial systems.The pressure within the portal vein was measured by a manometer, and was adjusted to physiological levels by means of a screw clamp. Variations of pressure were recorded by an inverted piston volume recorder, the kymographic tracings indicating changes in rate of flow. The majority of experiments were performed with a portal pressure of 7-10 cm blood. It was found necessary to include a bubble-trap in the circuit. Both glass and metal portal cannulae were used: for small animals metal was more suitable, and shortened, wide-bore, stainless-steel aspiration needles proved excellent.

Effects of infusions of catecholamines, angiotensin, vasopressin and histamine on hepatic blood volume in the anaesthetized cat

“…In the cat, histamine had little effect on hepatic volume even when massive doses were infused into the hepatic artery. This confirms previous studies on the isolated perfused cat liver (Andrews, Hecker & Maegraith, 1956;Bauer et al, 1932). The hepatic venous bed in the cat either lacks the specific smooth muscle which is involved in the dog or the venous smooth muscle has no histamine receptors.…”

Negative impact of systemic catecholamine administration on hepatic blood perfusion after porcine liver transplantation

“…Interestingly, catecholamine infusions caused no or only slight effects on the portal venous resistance in physiologically intact (innervated) animals 42, 48, 49. By contrast, in models investigating injured livers, such as isolated liver preparations, Epi and NorEpi consistently increased portal venous resistance and subsequently reduced PVF 44. Accordingly, in our current study, we did not detect a significant decrease of THF or microcirculation during systemic infusion of both catecholamines in native and denervated livers.…”

The PRESENCE OF Β‐ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS IN THE HEPATIC VASCULATURE

“…Studies have been performed on isolated preparations as well as in intact animals and man with differing results. In the isolated perfused liver, both adrenaline and noradrenaline cause reduction in flow (Bauer, Dale, Poulson & Richards, 1932;Chakravarti & Tripod, 1940;Daniel & Prichard, 1951;Andrews, Hecker, Maegraith & Ritchie, 1955;Andrews Hecker & Maegraith, 1956). This response is blocked by ergotoxine (Bauer et al, 1932), azapetine, and phenoxybenzamine (Green, Hall, Sexton & Deal, 1959).…”