The role of insulin and glucagon in experimental obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The oxidative phosphorylation of liver mitochondria is reg ulated by the amount of portal insulin available to the hepatocytes. Thus, hepatic energy is mediated by the values of blood sugar and insulin. Insuli n and glucagon are the main fuel homeostats in the liver. This study was pe rformed to investigate the concept of energy mediated by glucose, during th e process of obstructive jaundice and its recovery. METHODOLOGY: Experimental Wistar rats were studied, with bile duct tied for 4, 7 and 14 days respectively. The serum concentration and relative tissue concentration of insulin and glucagon were measured. And the common bile d uct was tied for 4, 7 and 14 days, then relieved by time sequences for 4, 7 and 14 days. Serum concentration and relative tissue concentration of insu lin and glucagon were also measured. RESULTS: When the common bile duct was tied for 4, 7, and 14 days respectiv ely, the serum concentration and relative tissue concentration of insulin d eclined (p<0.05) and glucagon concentration was elevated (p<0.05). When the common bile duct was tied for 4, 7 and 14 days, then relieved by time sequ ences for 4, 7 and 14 days, the concentrations of insulin in both groups ap peared to decline at first (p<0.05) and then progressively increase (p<0.05 ). The concentrations of glucagon exhibit the reverse behavior. Both serum and tissue concentration are elevated at first (p<0.05), then progressively decline (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These studies indicated that, during obstructive jaundice, mor e fuel is demanded to make up for the energy deficiency. In spite of surgic al or non-surgical relief of obstructive jaundice, the energy reserve is st ill not sufficiently recovered. The recovery of the hepatic energy reserve takes longer than we expected.