Depressed sensitivity of the hepatoportal nacl receptors in rats
with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver cirrhosis.
Tanaka, Kunihiko, Tsunenori Matsuda, Hironobu Morita, and Hiroshi
Hosomi.
Department of Physiology, Kagawa Medical School, Kagawa 761-07,
Japan
APStracts 2:0182R, 1995.
In normal rats, the activity of the hepatoportal NaCl-sensitive
afferent nerves is increased by portal injection of hypertonic NaCl.
In the present paper, we have examined this effect to be markedly
reduced in rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver cirrhosis
(CT-rats). Liver tissue norepinephrine content, a marker of tissue
innervation, was also decreased in the treated rats. Over the 12 week
CCl4-treatment period, no significant difference in Na balance was
found between control and CT-rats when both groups were given normal
-NaCl (0.45%) food. However, when both were given high-NaCl (8%) food,
the Na balance of CT-rats was positive and greater than that of
controls . These results indicate that the sensitivity of the
hepatoportal NaCl receptors is decreased even when the degree of
liver cirrhosis is slight. This mechanism plays an important role in
maintaining Na balance during intake of high-NaCl food.
Received 5 October 1994; accepted in final form 7 June 1995.
APS Manuscript Number R578-4.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Regulatory Integrative
Comp. Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 11 July 1995.