EFFECTS OF VENTROMEDIAL HYPOTHALAMUS STIMULATION ON GLYCOGENOLYSIS INRAT-LIVER USING IN-VIVO MICRODIALYSIS

In vivo microdialysis was applied to study the effects of ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) stimulation on liver glycogenolysis under anesthes ia. We examined glucose output and norepinephrine (NE) outflow from th e liver through analysis of glucose and NE in the liver dialyzate. Sti mulation of the VMH increased glucose output and NE outflow from the l iver and increased the plasma glucose level. Similar results were obta ined on hepatic nerve stimulation. Bilateral adrenalectomy did not abo lish the glycogenolysis induced by VMH stimulation. NE outflow increas ed to a much greater extent in adrenalectomized rats. These data show that VMH stimulation causes glycogenolysis and glucose output from the liver mainly via the hepatic nerves, and that microdialysis is a simp le and useful method for the study of liver metabolism in vivo. Copyri ght (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.