EFFECT OF FOOD ON LIVER CIRCULATION IN CONSCIOUS DOG

Hepatic hemodynamics and the liver oxygen supply-uptake relationship, in response to eating, were investigated in a chronically catheterized conscious dog method. Portal venous pressure was significantly increa sed after eating, however was within the normal range reported previou sly. Hepatic venous pressure correlated well with portal venous pressu re throughout the experiment, therefore, the pressure gradient of the portal system was unchanged. Hepatic venous oxygen content, correlated well with liver oxygen extraction, was unchanged after eating. Theref ore, it is possible to assume that liver oxygen supply-uptake relation ship is well maintained during digestion of food.