It has been previously demonstrated that the hemodynamic effect induced by angiotensin II (AII) in the liver was completely abolished by losartan while glucose release was partially affected by losartan. Angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and adrenergic (∝1- and β-) receptors (AR) belong to the G-proteins superfamily, which signaling promote glycogen breakdown and glucose release. Interactive relationship between AR and AT1-R was shown after blockade of these receptors with specific antagonists. The isolated perfused rat liver was used to study hemodynamic and metabolic responses induced by AII and adrenaline (Adr) in the presence of AT1 (losartan) and ∝1-AR and β-AR antagonists (prazosin and propranolol). All antagonists diminished the hemodynamic response induced by Adr. Losartan abolished hemodynamic response induced by AII, and AR antagonists had no effect when used alone. When combined, the antagonists caused a decrease in the hemodynamic response. The metabolic response induced by Adr was mainly mediated by ∝1-AR. A significant decrease in the hemodynamic response induced by Adr caused by losartan confirmed the participation of AT1-R. The metabolic response induced by AII was impaired by propranolol, indicating the participation of β-AR. When both ARs were blocked, the hemodynamic and metabolic responses were impaired in a cumulative effect. These results suggested that both ARs might be responsible for AII effects. This possible cross-talk between β-AR and AT1-R signaling in the hepatocytes has yet to be investigated and should be considered in the design of specific drugs.

We have shown that tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasma kallikrein share a common pathway for liver clearance and that the hepatic clearance rate of plasma kallikrein increases during the acute-phase (AP) response. We now report the clearance of tPA from the circulation and by the isolated, exsanguinated and in situ perfused rat liver during the AP response (48-h ex-turpentine treatment). For the sake of comparison, the hepatic clearance of a tissue kallikrein and thrombin was also studied. We verified that, in vivo, the clearance of 125I-tPA from the circulation of turpentine-treated rats (2.2 ± 0.2 ml/min, N = 7) decreases significantly (P = 0.016) when compared to normal rats (3.2 ± 0.3 ml/min, N = 6). The AP response does not modify the tissue distribution of administered 125I-tPA and the liver accounts for most of the 125I-tPA (>80%) cleared from the circulation. The clearance rate of tPA by the isolated and perfused liver of turpentine-treated rats (15.5 ± 1.3 µg/min, N = 4) was slower (P = 0.003) than the clearance rate by the liver of normal rats (22.5 ± 0.7 µg/min, N = 10). After the inflammatory stimulus and additional Kupffer cell ablation (GdCl3 treatment), tPA was cleared by the perfused liver at 16.2 ± 2.4 µg/min (N = 5), suggesting that Kupffer cells have a minor influence on the hepatic tPA clearance during the AP response. In contrast, hepatic clearance rates of thrombin and pancreatic kallikrein were not altered during the AP response. These results contribute to explaining why the thrombolytic efficacy of tPA does not correlate with the dose administered.

OBJETIVO: - O fígado inativa quantidades consideráveis de bradicinina; a principal enzima hepática cinino-inativadora (BIE, bradykinin inativating endopeptidase) hidrolisa especificamente a ligação Phe5-Ser6 do nonapeptídio e foi caracterizada como sendo a oligoendopeptidase EC 3.4. 24.15. No transplante ortotópico de fígado existe correlação entre aumento da concentração de aminoácidos no líquido de preservação (conseqüência de proteólise) e falência do enxerto. O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar se ocorre liberação da BIE de fígados preservados ex-vivo no líquido Braun-Collins ou em solução de Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonato (Krebs). MÉTODO: Fígados de ratos Wistar (180-220g) foram exsangüinados e após remoção foram preservados em líquido Braun Collins ou em solução Krebs, a 4oC. Foram retiradas alíquotas do líquido de preservação nos tempos 0, 4, 8 e 24 horas, para dosagem de ALT, AST, DHL e BIE. A atividade fluorimétrica da BIE foi ensaiada com o substrato Abz-RPPGFSPFRQ-EDDnp (análogo sintético da bradicinina) e sua presença confirmada por immunoblotting, revelado com anticorpo específico anti-EC 3.4.24.15. RESULTADOS: A liberação de ALT, AST, DHL e BIE é significativa no período 8-24hs. Nas alíquotas de 24 hs, em relação ao tempo zero, a concentração das quatro enzimas aumentou, respectivamente, no líquido Braun Collins, 8, 7, 19 e 10 vezes e, na solução de Krebs, 21, 17, 27 e 21 vezes; a relação ALT/DHL foi sempre inferior a um. CONCLUSÃO: Ocorre liberação de BIE durante a preservação ex-vivo do fígado, o que poderá servir como indicação da condição de preservação do enxerto; diminuição da capacidade cinino-inativadora do fígado poderá afetar sua reatividade vascular.

BACKGROUND: The liver inactivates considerable amounts of bradykinin; the main liver kinin-inactivating enzyme (BIE, bradykinin inactivating endopeptidase) hydrolyses specifically the Phe5-Ser6 bond of the nonapeptide and it has been characterized as the oligoendopeptidase E.C. 3.4.24.15. When orthotopic liver transplantation is performed there is a correlation between the increase of amino acid concentration in the preservation fluid (as a consequence of proteolysis) and graft dysfunction. AIM: Verify if BIE is released from livers stored ex vivo. METHOD: Wistar rats (180-220g) livers were exsanguinated and after removal were preserved in Braun Collins fluid or Krebs solution at 4o C. Aliquots were collected from the preservation fluid at 0, 4,8,24h, for ALT, AST, LDH and BIE assays. The fluorimetric activity of BIE was assayed upon Abz-RPPGFSPFRQ-EDDnp (synthetic BK analogue) and its presence was confirmed by immunoblotting, revealed with specific antibody anti-E.C.3.4.24.15. RESULTS: The release of ALT, AST, LDH and BIE is significant between 8-24h. In the 24h aliquots the four enzymes concentration increased in the Braun Collins fluid 8,7,19 and 10 respectively, and in the Krebs solution 21, 17, 27, 21 respectively, when compared to the zero time aliquot activities. The ratio ALT/LDH was always < 1. CONCLUSION: There is BIE release during ex vivo liver storage; this information may be useful as an indicator of the graft preservation condition; a decrease of the liver kinin-inactivating capability could affect the graft vascular reactivity.