Hepatic oleate uptake. Electrochemical driving forces in intact rat liver.

Recent observations suggest that the hepatic uptake of oleate may be sodium coupled. To assess the electrochemical forces driving fatty acid uptake, we used microelectrodes to monitor continuously the electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane in the perfused rat liver while simultaneously monitoring the rate of tracer [3H]oleate uptake from 1% albumin solutions. Isosmotic cation or anion substitution was used to vary the potential difference over the physiologic range. Depolarization of cells from -29 to -19 mV by substituting gluconate for chloride reduced steady-state oleate uptake by 34%. Conversely, hyperpolarization of cells to -52 mV by substituting nitrate for chloride increased uptake by 41%. Replacement of perfusate sodium with choline depolarized the cells to -18 mV and reduced uptake by 58%, an amount greater than expected from the degree of depolarization alone. Oleate in higher concentrations (1.5 mM in 2% albumin) depolarized cells by 3 mV in the presence of sodium, but had no effect in sodium-free buffer. These results suggest that a portion of oleate uptake in the intact liver occurs by electrogenic sodium cotransport. Uptake appears to be driven by both the electrical and sodium chemical gradients across the plasma membrane.

Regulation of membrane chloride currents in rat bile duct epithelial cells.

This study examines the conductive properties of the plasma membrane of cells isolated from the intrahepatic portion of bile ducts. Membrane Cl- conductance was measured in single cells using whole-cell patch clamp recording techniques and in cells in short-term culture using 36Cl and 125I efflux. Separate Ca(2+)- and cAMP-dependent Cl- currents were identified. Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- currents showed outward rectification of the current-voltage relation, time-dependent activation at depolarizing potentials, and reversal near the equilibrium potential for Cl-. Ionomycin (2 microM) increased this current from 357 +/- 72 pA to 1,192 +/- 414 pA (at +80 mV) in 5:7 cells, and stimulated efflux of 125I > 36Cl in 15:15 studies. Ionomycin-stimulated efflux was inhibited by the Cl- channel blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS) (150 microM). A separate cAMP-activated Cl- current showed linear current-voltage relations and no time dependence. Forskolin (10 microM) or cpt-cAMP (500 microM) increased this current from 189 +/- 50 pA to 784 +/- 196 pA (at +80 mV) in 11:16 cells, and stimulated efflux of 36Cl > 125I in 16:16 studies. cAMP-stimulated efflux was unaffected by DIDS. Because the cAMP-stimulated Cl- conductance resembles that associated with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a putative Cl- channel protein, the presence of CFTR in rat liver was examined by immunoblot analyses. CFTR was detected as a 150-165-kD protein in specimens with increased numbers of duct cells. Immunoperoxidase staining confirmed localization of CFTR to bile duct cells but not hepatocytes. These findings suggest that Ca(2+)- and cAMP-regulated Cl- channels may participate in control of fluid and electrolyte secretion by intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells, and that the cAMP-regulated conductance is associated with endogenous expression of CFTR. Abnormal ductular secretion may contribute to the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disease in cystic fibrosis.

Cytosolic Ca2+ and protein kinase Calpha couple cellular metabolism to membrane K+ permeability in a human biliary cell line.

Cholangiocytes represent an important target of injury during the ischemia and metabolic stress that accompanies liver preservation. Since K+ efflux serves to minimize injury during ATP depletion in certain other cell types, the purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of ATP depletion on plasma membrane K+ permeability of Mz-ChA-1 cells, a model human biliary cell line. Cells were exposed to dinitrophenol (50 microM) and 2-deoxyglucose (10 mM) as the standard model of metabolic injury. Whole-cell and single K+ channel currents were measured using patch clamp techniques; and intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) was estimated by calcium green-1 fluorescence. Metabolic stress increased [Ca2+]i, and stimulated translocation of the alpha isoform of protein kinase C (PKCalpha) from cytosolic to particulate cell fractions. The same maneuver increased membrane K+ permeability 40-70-fold as detected by (a) activation of K+selective whole cell currents of 2,176+/-218 pA (n = 34), and (b) opening of apamin-sensitive K+ channels with a unitary conductance of 17.0+/-0.2 pS. PKCalpha translocation and channel opening appear to be related since stress-induced K+ efflux is inhibited by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+, exposure to the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (25 microM) and downregulation of PKC by phorbol esters. Moreover, K+ currents were activated by intracellular perfusion with recombinant PKCalpha in the absence of metabolic inhibitors. These findings indicate that in biliary cells apamin-sensitive K+ channels are functionally coupled to cell metabolism and suggest that cytosolic Ca2+ and PKCalpha are selectively involved in the response.

p38 MAP kinase modulates liver cell volume through inhibition of membrane Na+ permeability.

In hepatocytes, Na+ influx through nonselective cation (NSC) channels represents a key point for regulation of cell volume. Under basal conditions, channels are closed, but both physiologic and pathologic stimuli lead to a large increase in Na+ and water influx. Since osmotic stimuli also activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways, we have examined regulation of Na+ permeability and cell volume by MAP kinases in an HTC liver cell model. Under isotonic conditions, there was constitutive activity of p38 MAP kinase that was selectively inhibited by SB203580. Decreases in cell volume caused by hypertonic exposure had no effect on p38, but increases in cell volume caused by hypotonic exposure increased p38 activity tenfold. Na+ currents were small when cells were in isotonic media but could be increased by inhibiting constitutive p38 MAP kinase, thereby increasing cell volume. To evaluate the potential inhibitory role of p38 more directly, cells were dialyzed with recombinant p38alpha and its upstream activator, MEK-6, which substantially inhibited volume-sensitive currents. These findings indicate that constitutive p38 activity contributes to the low Na+ permeability necessary for maintenance of cell volume, and that recombinant p38 negatively modulates the set point for volume-sensitive channel opening. Thus, functional interactions between p38 MAP kinase and ion channels may represent an important target for modifying volume-sensitive liver functions.

Water induces autocrine stimulation of tumor cell killing through ATP release and P2 receptor binding.

Although exposure of cells to extreme hypotonic stress appears to be a purely experimental set up, it has found an application in clinical routine. For years, surgeons have washed the abdominal cavity with distilled water to lyse isolated cancer cells left after surgery. No data are available supporting this practice or evaluating the potential mechanisms of cell injury under these circumstances. Recent evidence indicates that increases in cell volume stimulate release of adenosine triphosphate and autocrine stimulation of purinergic (P2) receptors in the plasma membrane of certain epithelial cell types. Under physiological conditions, purigenic stimulation can contribute to cell volume recovery through activation of solute efflux. In addition, adenosine triphosphate-P2 receptor binding might trigger other mechanisms affecting cell viability after profound hypotonic stress. This study demonstrates a novel pathway of cell death by apoptosis in human colon cancer cells following a short hypotonic stress. This pathway is induced by transitory cell swelling which leads to extracellular release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and specific binding of ATP to P2 receptors (probably P2X7). Extracellular ATP induced activation of caspases 3 and 8, annexin V, release of cytochrome c, and eventually cell death. The effect of ATP can be blocked by addition of (i) apyrase to hydrolyse extracellular ATP and (ii) suramin, a P2 receptor antagonist. Finally, (iii) gadolinium pretreatment, a blocker of ATP release, reduces sensitivity of the cells to hypotonic stress. The adenosine triphosphate-P2 receptor cell death pathway suggests that autocrine/paracrine signaling may contribute to regulation of viability in certain cancer cells disclosed with this pathway.

Modulation of colonic motility by substance P, cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y.

The effects of substance P, cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y were examined on rabbit distal colonic motility. All three agents produced increased contractile activity but the mechanisms responsible differed depending on the agent tested. In the intact animal, peptide effects were measured under basal conditions and following exposure to atropine, tetrodotoxin and the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine. Administration of all three peptides resulted in a stimulation of colonic motility. Phentolamine did not significantly effect substance P-, cholecystokinin- or neuropeptide Y-induced activity. By contrast, the in vivo activity induced by cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y, but not substance P, was nearly eliminated by tetrodotoxin. Only the neuropeptide Y response was partially atropine sensitive. In isolated colonic strips, cholecystokinin-induced activity, but not that produced by neuropeptide Y or substance P, was blocked by tetrodotoxin. Atropine did not significantly inhibit any of the hormone-induced contractions.

Muscarinic cholinergic regulation of epileptic spiking in kindling.

Electroencephalographic monitoring of spontaneous interictal spiking (SIS) following kindling demonstrated that SIS occurs in both amygdalas and that it declines sharply during the days following kindling. Systemically administered muscarinic antagonists which pass the blood-brain barrier (atropine and scopolamine) activated interictal spiking in kindled rats but not in controls. Interictal spiking activated by atropine was reversed by physostigmine. Both physostigmine and choline, agents which increase brain ACh concentration by different mechanisms, caused a reduction in spontaneous (not drug activated) interictal spiking. The results of these pharmacologic studies indicate that the interaction of endogenous ACh with central muscarinic receptors is capable of suppressing SIS in kindled rats. Whether cholinergic suppression of SIS represents a convulsant or an anticonvulsant action is presently unclear.

Liver transplantation. Patient selection and organ allocation.

Liver transplantation represents a major advancement in treating selected patients with advanced liver disease. The keys to successful outcome include: 1) early evaluation and listing for transplantation before the patient develops severe complications of cirrhosis; 2) control of comorbid conditions; and 3) a cooperative and dynamic interchange between the transplant center and other physicians involved in the care of the patient.

Oral contraceptives and benign tumors of the liver.

PIP: The prevalence of benign tumors of the liver in users of oral contraceptives (OCs) has increased to the point that they must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a variety of symptoms in women at risk. It is important to distinguish hepatic adenoma from focal nodular hyperplasia because the former may be complicated by severe hemorrhage and is clearly linked to prolonged OC use. The annual incidence of hepatic adenoma has been estimated at 3.4 cases/100,000 OC users. Focal nodular hyperplasia generally appears as a single nodule (78%) measuring less than 5 cm in diameter (84%). On cut section there is a characteristic central, stellate, fibrous core that radiates to the periphery of the lesion, dividing the tumor into a number of nodules. Proliferating bile ducts and inflammatory cells are often seen in the fibrous areas. Hepatic adenoma is easily distinguished by gross and microscopic inspection. It usually appears as a single (71%), large (36% larger than 10 cm), fleshy tumor without any internal structure. The absence of bile ducts is noteworthy. Data show strong association between OCs and the development of hepatic adenoma but no association with focal nodular hyperplasia. If women use OCs for more than 6 years, hepatic adenoma is 25 times more likely to develop than in nonusers. Patients with hepatic adenoma usually present with life-threatening hemorrhage as the initial manifestation of the tumor. Hormonal factors are very important in the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of hepatic adenoma; hemorrhage frequently occurs in association with menstruation. By contrast, patients with focal nodular hyperplasia generally have no symptoms and the prognosis is excellent. Use of OCs should be stopped in all patients who may have hepatic tumors because tumor regression usually occurs after withdrawal of the drug. Evidence indicates that synthetic estrogens do not cause tumors directly but can enhance the growth of neoplastic cells.^ieng

Regulation of transmembrane electrical potential gradient in rat hepatocytes in situ.

The transmembrane electrical potential gradient (Em) has been measured in hepatocytes from intact anesthetized rats using conventional intracellular microelectrodes under a variety of conditions. Em measurements in control animals were normally distributed around a mean of -35.5 +/- 4.6 mV (SD) with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 13.1% and a range of -26 to -54 mV. In individual livers, however, measurements of Em at a given point in time exhibited little cell-to-cell variation (cv of 4.5%). The Em was noted to fluctuate spontaneously over time and to change consistently in response to a variety of physiological stimuli including fasting (depolarization to -28.5 +/- 3.8 mV) and infusion of glucagon in physiological amounts (hyperpolarization to -45.0 +/- 1.8 mV). Hepatocyte Em abruptly depolarized (2-5 mV) after an intravenous bolus of taurocholate (3 mumol) or alanine (45 mumol), suggesting that both solutes exhibit electrogenic uptake. The Em returned to or below preinfusion values within 5 min. Continued infusion of alanine (10.8 mumol/min), but not taurocholate (810 nmol/min), caused a sustained and unexpected hyperpolarization of Em of 8.2 +/- 3.1 mV that lasted at least 60 min. In separate studies, alanine administration did not alter the biliary excretion of a taurocholate load. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that rat hepatocytes in situ are tightly coupled electrically and that physiological stimuli, including fasting, glucagon, and sodium-coupled solute uptake can change Em considerably over time. The late hyperpolarization of Em caused by alanine appears to offset the rise in intracellular Na+ associated with alanine uptake and preserve the Na+ electrochemical gradient such that Na+-coupled taurocholate transport is maintained.

Intracellular chloride activity in intact rat liver: relationship to membrane potential and bile flow.

Active chloride transport has been described in a variety of epithelia, and intracellular chloride activity (aiCl) in these tissues is generally elevated twofold or more above the level predicted for passive diffusion. To determine whether active chloride transport might contribute to canalicular bile formation, we have used conventional and Cl- -selective microelectrodes to measure aiCl of rat hepatocytes in vivo under a variety of conditions. Under basal conditions, the membrane potential difference averaged -33.2 +/- 3.5 mV (means +/- SD) in 29 animals, and the ratio (R) of observed aiCl (24.8 mM) to that expected for passive distribution at this membrane potential (22.6 mM) was 1.10 +/- 0.08, a value slightly but significantly greater than that predicted for passive distribution. Infusion of alanine (45-mumol bolus, 10.8-mumol/min infusion) in 5 animals hyperpolarized the membrane potential to -43.6 +/- 4.0 mV over 10-15 min and resulted in a significant fall in aiCl to 15.1 +/- 4.8 mM but with no change in R. Infusion of theophylline (577 nmol/min), taurocholate (3-mumol bolus, 810-nmol/min infusion), and ursodeoxycholic acid (4-mumol bolus, 2.13-mumol/min infusion) into 5 animals each increased bile flow by 6.1, 34.1, and 96.8%, respectively, compared with saline-infused controls but did not alter membrane potential or chloride distribution. These observations indicate that aiCl is close to the level predicted for passive distribution under basal conditions, after hyperpolarization of the membrane potential by alanine, and after stimulation of bile flow by a variety of choleretics. By analogy with Cl- -secreting epithelia, it appears unlikely that active chloride transport across the basolateral membrane contributes significantly to canalicular bile formation by the hepatocyte.

Sex differences in membrane potential in the intact perfused rat liver.

The electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane was compared in paired livers from male and female rats perfused single-pass with Krebs-bicarbonate buffer. Variability in the membrane potential measured for different cells within the same liver was small (SD = 1.3 mV). The mean membrane potential was 5.1 mV more negative for male livers than for female livers (-30.3 +/- 0.6 vs. -25.2 +/- 1.0 mV, P less than 0.001), and the male liver had a more negative membrane potential than the female liver in all nine pairs studied. No correlation between membrane potential and perfusion rate was seen. Variability among female livers was more than twice as great (range -19.6 to -30.0 mV) as for male livers (range -26.7 to -31.9 mV). These results suggest that hepatic membrane potential may be modulated by sex hormone levels, which are more variable in female animals. Because the hepatic uptake of bile acids such as taurocholate and organic anions such as bilirubin may involve net movement of electrical charge across the plasma membrane, the current results may explain previously reported sex differences in the uptake of these and other electrogenically transported molecules.

Ca(2+)-activated C1- channels in a human biliary cell line: regulation by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase.

Biliary epithelial cells contribute to bile formation through absorption and secretion of fluid and electrolytes. Recent studies indicate that membrane Cl- permeability is regulated in part by increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of intracellular Ca2+ on channel activity, using the human Mz-ChA-1 cholangiocarcinoma cell line as a model, and to assess the possible roles of Ca(2+)-dependent kinases in channel regulation. Exposure to ionomycin (1 microM) activated ion channels in the cell-attached configuration in 63 of 74 attempts, increasing open probability (NPo) from 0 to 0.26 +/- 0.15 (n = 17). Multiple channels were present in each patch, and the effects of ionomycin were reversed by subsequent addition of ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid (2 mM) to the bath. With Cl(-)-containing solutions, channels had a slope conductance of 14 +/- 4 pS (n = 11), and the mean open time was estimated to be 5.3 +/- 1.8 ms. These channels were anion selective, and currents were carried by efflux of Cl- at the resting potential. Exposure to the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) antagonist calmidazolium (100 microM) decreased NPo in ionomycin-stimulated cells to 0.02 +/- 0.06 (n = 19). The protein kinase C antagonist chelerythrine (50 microM) was without effect. In parallel studies in subconfluent cell monolayers, CaMKII antagonists were also potent inhibitors of ionomycin-stimulated 125I efflux. These findings indicate that Ca(2+)-dependent increases in membrane Cl- permeability are related in part to opening of 14.pS anion channels through a mechanism that depends on both Ca2+ and CaMKII. These channels represent a potential target for pharmacological modulation of biliary cell transport and function.

Spontaneous interictal spiking in the awake kindled rat.

The spontaneous interictal spike (SIS) noted in EEG recordings is a signal of the abnormally excitable behavior of neurons in an epileptic focus. This study provides a detailed, quantitative, temporal and spatial profile of SIS in the amygdaloid kindled rat. The reproducible nature of the development and decline of SIS in kindling provides a useful model for biochemical study of the mechanisms that initiate and regulate SIS.

Nucleotide receptors activate cation, potassium, and chloride currents in a liver cell line.

By use of whole cell patch-clamp techniques, the effects of extracellular ATP on membrane ion currents of HTC cells from a rat liver tumor line were evaluated. ATP (500 microM) or the nonhydrolyzable analogue adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) caused sequential activation of three currents: Icat (-1,325 +/- 255 pA at -80 mV) occurred early, was due to increased Na+ and K+ permeability, was present in 56% of 64 consecutive cells, and rapidly inactivated; IK (274 +/- 45 pA at 0 mV) was present in 59% of cells and also inactivated; and ICl (1,172 +/- 237 pA at +60 mV) was present in 94% of studies, was sustained, and exhibited outward rectification of the current-voltage relation. All three currents were present in 39% of cells. Increasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by exposure to the 5'-nucleotide receptor agonist UTP (500 microM) or to thapsigargin activated Icat and IK but not ICl, whereas increasing ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid in the pipette (> or = 5 mM) inhibited ATP-dependent activation of Icat and IK but not ICl. A P2x-preferring agonist alpha, beta-methylene ATP (500 microM) did not activate currents; a P2y-preferring agonist 2-methylthioadenosine triphosphate activated Icat and IK at concentrations of 500 microM but not 50 microM. In perforated patch recordings, ATP produced triphasic changes in membrane potential with initial depolarization due to Icat, subsequent hyperpolarization due to IK, and a later sustained depolarization due to ICl. These findings indicate that ATP modulates HTC cell ion permeability through initial activation of Icat and IK mediated by 5'-nucleotide receptors which mobilize [Ca2+], and sustained activation of ICl through a separate Ca(2+)-independent mechanism.

Volume-sensitive purinergic signaling in human hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Purinergic signaling potentially contributes to many liver functions. Therefore, the purpose of these studies was to characterize adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) release from human hepatocytes, and to determine the role of extracellular ATP in the autocrine regulation of Cl- permeability and cell volume homeostasis. METHODS: Release of ATP (luciferase-luciferin assay), Cl- currents (whole-cell patch clamp), and cell volume (Coulter Multisizer) were measured in human hepatocytes within 12 h of isolation. RESULTS: Hepatocyte swelling increased bioluminescence from basal values of 11.21+/-0.45 to 178.29+/-44.49 and 492.15+/-89.41 arbitrary light units following 20 and 40% buffer dilutions, respectively (p<0.001), representing an increase in extracellular ATP from approximately 10 to >300 nM. Whole-cell Cl- currents activated during exposure to hypotonic buffer (15% less mosmol, 126.34+/-36.49 pA/pF) and ATP (10 microM, 71.92+/-15.48 pA/pF) exhibited outward rectification, time-dependent inactivation at depolarizing potentials, and sensitivity to the anion channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB). Removal of extracellular ATP (apyrase) prevented volume-sensitive current activation. Exposure to hypotonic buffer (30% less mosmol) increased mean relative volume to 1.092+/-0.004 by 2.5 min, and volume recovery (1.019+/-0.002 by 30 min) was abolished by NPPB, apyrase, and the P2 receptor antagonist suramin. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that human hepatocytes exhibit constitutive and volume-dependent ATP release, which is a critical determinant of membrane Cl- permeability and cell volume regulation. ATP release may represent an extracellular signaling pathway that couples the cellular hydration state to important hepatic functions.

Mechanisms and functional role of intracellular pH regulation in hepatocytes.

Intracellular pH influences and is influenced by a diverse array of hepatocellular processes. It is regulated by the concerted action of three plasma membrane H+/HCO3- transporters that serve to buffer against both acidic (Na+/H+ exchange, Na+/HCO3- cotransport) and basic (Cl-/HCO3- exchange) metabolic challenges. The responsiveness of hepatocytes to these challenges is augmented by a regulatory interplay between pH-mediated changes in Vm and electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransport to maintain pHi and Vm within a range optimized to serve liver function. The cost is expenditure of metabolic energy to sustain increased activity of the Na+/K+ pump. The benefit is a dynamic servomechanism well-suited to the metabolic demands of hepatocytes, which may be found in future studies to be employed in other metabolically active epithelia as well.

Hepatic transport of a fluorescent stearate derivative: electrochemical driving forces in intact rat liver.

We determined the effect of varying the transmembrane Na+ electrochemical gradient on extraction of a fluorescent derivative of stearate, 12-N-methyl-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3,-diazol-amino stearate (NBD-stearate), by the isolated perfused rat liver. Membrane potential difference (PD) of individual hepatocytes and extraction of NBD-stearate were measured simultaneously under basal conditions and during changes in PD induced by perfusate ion substitutions. Under basal conditions, PD average -30 +/- 1 mV, and extraction of 10 microM NBD-stearate from 1% albumin solutions averaged 0.54 +/- 0.03. Fluorescence microscopy indicated that uptake exhibited a declining portal-to-central gradient in the presence but not absence of Na+. Substitution of nitrate for Cl- hyperpolarized PD to -59 mV and increased extraction to 131% of control values. Withdrawal of nitrate and substitution of gluconate for Cl- depolarized PD to -3 and -15 mV, respectively, and decreased extraction to 63 and 73% of control values. Substitution of choline for Na+ eliminated the out-to-in Na+ gradient, depolarized PD to -16 mV, and decreased extraction to 27% of control values, an effect greater than expected for membrane depolarization alone. Uptake of NBD-stearate was saturable and caused Na(+)-dependent membrane depolarization at higher concentrations (300 microM). These studies indicate that uptake of NBD-stearate occurs in large part by an efficient Na(+)-dependent mechanism compatible with electrogenic Na(+)-fatty acid cotransport.