Increase of glucose and lactate output and decrease of flow by human anaphylatoxin C3a but not C5a in perfused rat liver

Role of intrahepatic innervation in regulating the activity of liver cells

Liver innervation comprises sympathetic, parasympathetic and peptidergic nerve fibers, organized as either afferent or efferent nerves with different origins and roles. Their anatomy and physiology have been studied in the past 30 years, with different results published over time. Hepatocytes are the main cell population of the liver, making up almost 80% of the total liver volume. The interaction between hepatocytes and nerve fibers is accomplished through a wealth of neurotransmitters and signaling pathways. In this short review, we have taken the task of condensing the most important data related to how the nervous system interacts with the liver and especially with the hepatocyte population, how it influences their metabolism and functions, and how different receptors and transmitters are involved in this complex process.

Functions of anaphylatoxin C5a in rat liver: direct and indirect actions on nonparenchymal and parenchymal cells

Growing evidence obtained in recent years indicates that anaphylatoxin C5a receptors (C5aR) are not restricted to myeloid cells but are also expressed on nonmyeloid cells in different tissues such as brain, lung, skin and liver. In contrast to its well-defined systemic functions, the actions of anaphylatoxins in these organs are poorly characterized. The liver can be a primary target organ for the C5a anaphylatoxin since the liver is directly connected to the gut, via the mesenteric veins and portal vein which is a main source of complement activating lipopolysaccharides (LPS). In the normal rat liver, the C5aR is only expressed by nonparenchymal cells, i.e. strongly by Kupffer cells (KC) and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and weakly by sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC), but not expressed by the parenchymal hepatocytes (HC). Accordingly, direct effects of C5a were only found in the C5aR-expressing KC and HSC: C5a induced the release of prostanoids from KC and HSC and enhanced the LPS-dependent release of interleukin-6 from KC. These soluble mediators indirectly influenced effector functions of the C5aR-free HC. C5a enhanced the glycogen phosphorylase activity and thus the glucose output from HC indirectly via prostanoids released from KC and HSC. Glucose can serve as an energy substrate as well as an electron donor for the synthesis of reactive oxygen intermediates by KC. Moreover, C5a also enhanced transcription of the gene for the type-2 acute phase protein alpha 2-macroglobulin in HC indirectly by increasing LPS-dependent IL-6 release from KC. Under pathological conditions, C5aR was found to be upregulated in various organs including the liver. Simulation of inflammatory conditions by treatment of rats with IL-6, a main inflammatory mediator in the liver, caused a de novo expression of functional C5aR in HC. In livers of IL-6-treated rats, C5a initiated glucose output from HC and perhaps other HC-specific defense reactions directly without the intervention of soluble mediators from nonparenchymal cells.

Increase by anaphylatoxin C5a of glucose output in perfused rat liver via prostanoids derived from nonparenchymal cells: direct action of prostaglandins and indirect action of thromboxane A(2) on hepatocytes

In the perfused rat liver the anaphylatoxin C5a enhanced glucose output, reduced flow, and elevated prostanoid overflow. Because hepatocytes (HCs) do not express C5a receptors, the metabolic C5a actions must be indirect, mediated by e.g. prostanoids from Kupffer cells (KCs) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which possess C5a receptors. Surprisingly, the metabolic C5a effects were not only impaired by the prostanoid synthesis inhibitor, indomethacin, but also by the thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) receptor antagonist, daltroban, even though HCs do not express TXA(2) receptors. TXA(2) did not induce prostaglandin (PG) or an unknown factor release from KCs or sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs), which express TXA(2) receptors, because (1) daltroban did neither influence the C5a-induced release of prostanoids from cultured KCs nor the C5a-dependent activation of glycogen phosphorylase in KC/HC cocultures and because (2) the TXA(2) analog, U46619, failed to stimulate prostanoid release from cultured KCs or SECs or to activate glycogen phosphorylase in KC/HC or SEC/HC cocultures. In the perfused liver, Ca(2+)-deprivation inhibited not only flow reduction but also glucose output elicited by C5a to similar extents as daltroban. Similarly, in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), flow reduction and glucose output induced by U46619 were almost completely prevented, whereas glucose output induced by the directly acting PGF(2alpha) was only slightly lowered. Thus, in the perfused rat liver PGs released after C5a-stimulation from KCs and HSCs directly activated glycogen phosphorylase in HCs, and TXA(2) enhanced glucose output indirectly mainly by causing hypoxia as a result of flow reduction.

The human mast cell line HMC-1 binds and responds to C3a but not C3a(desArg)

Controversial results have been published in the past regarding the functional reactivity of different cell types to the anaphylatoxin C3a and its degradation product C3a(desArg). To understand better the effects of C3a and C3a(desArg) on human mast cells, the authors performed binding experiments and calcium mobilization studies on the human mast cell line HMC-1 which has been shown previously to express C3a binding sites. For this purpose, functionally active, recombinant C3a (rC3a) was constructed with an 11 amino acid peptide attached to the N-terminus of the molecule. Using a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) against this tag, binding of rC3a to HMC-1 cells could be demonstrated by flow cytometry. Its binding was specific as it could be blocked with serum-derived C3a. In contrast, no binding of rC3a(desArg) to HMC-1 cells was detectable. Recombinant C3a led to a transient mobilization of intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i in HMC-1 which was inhibitable by the C3a-specific MoAb K13/16. No increase of [Ca2+]i was detected when the cells were treated with C3a(desArg). The authors found C3a receptor (C3aR)-specific mRNA in HMC-1 cells indicating that this receptor represents the binding site for C3a on these cells. These results demonstrate a specific binding for C3a but not for C3a(desArg) on cells of the human mast cell line HMC-1. As a consequence, functional activity was restricted to C3a with C3a(desArg) being completely inactive. Therefore, the data strongly suggest that the recently cloned high affinity C3aR which is assumed to represent the binding site for the anaphylatoxin on HMC-1 cells is unresponsive to C3a(desArg).

Blood- and skin-derived monocytes/macrophages respond to C3a but not to C3a(desArg) with a transient release of calcium via a pertussis toxin-sensitive signal transduction pathway

Controversial results have been published in the past regarding the functional reactivity of monocytes (Mo) and macrophages (M phi) to the anaphylatoxin C3a and its degradation product C3a(desArg). In this study we performed binding and calcium mobilization experiments with recombinant human C3a (rC3a) and rC3a(desArg). Blood Mo displayed non-inhibitable binding of FITC-labeled rC3a (rC3aFITC) but responded to rC3a with a transient release of the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), whereas rC3a(desArg) was completely inactive. In contrast, binding of rC3aFITC to eosinophilic granulocytes and the mast cell line HMC-1 which have been shown previously to express C3a binding sites could be blocked by a monoclonal anti-C3a antibody. The rC3a-induced [Ca2+]i release in blood Mo was pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive suggesting the involvement of G-proteins in the signal transduction pathway. Skin-derived Mo/M phi reacted similarly to blood Mo as no specific binding of rC3aFITC to these cells could be demonstrated, whereas an intracellular release of calcium ions in response to the anaphylatoxin was observed. Homologous desensitization to rC3a but not heterologous desensitization to rC5a was detected in further experiments. The functional effect of C3a, but not the unspecific binding of rC3aFITC to blood Mo and skin-derived Mo/M phi could be blocked by the monoclonal anti-C3a antibody. These results suggest the expression of the recently cloned G-protein-coupled receptor for C3a on human blood Mo and skin-derived Mo/M phi. However, the total number of specific C3a binding sites on these cells is distinctly lower as compared to eosinophilic granulocytes and cells of the mast cell line HMC-1. The small number of C3a receptors on Mo/M phi may be masked by a pronounced non-inhibitable binding of rC3aFITC. This binding, however, may contribute to the recently described biological effects of C3a(desArg) on Mo.

Anaphylatoxin C5a receptor mRNA is strongly expressed in Kupffer and stellate cells and weakly in sinusoidal endothelial cells but not in hepatocytes of normal rat liver

Anaphylatoxins (C5a and C3a), which are generated during complement activation, have recently been shown to increase glucose output from hepatocytes (HC) in perfused rat liver. They did not act directly on HC but indirectly by prostanoid release from non-parenchymal cells (NPC), probably Kupffer cells (KC). In order to corroborate this mechanism, the distribution of anaphylatoxin receptors in the different cell types of rat liver was determined by quantitative RT-PCR with primers specific for the rat C5a receptor (rC5aR) using RNA isolated from KC, sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC), hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and HC. In line with functional data, C5aR mRNA was detected in freshly isolated NPC but not in HC of rat liver. Mainly KC but also HSC clearly expressed C5aR mRNA, while SEC did so only weakly. KC expressed up to 10-fold more C5aR mRNA than HSC and these in turn up to 10-fold more than SEC. These results support the proposed indirect action of anaphylatoxins on HC.

Stimulation of glycogen phosphorylase in rat hepatocytes via prostanoid release from Kupffer cells by recombinant rat anaphylatoxin C5a but not by native human C5a in hepatocyte/Kupffer cell co-cultures

Human anaphylatoxin C3a had previously been shown to increase glycogenolysis in perfused rat liver and prostanoid formation in rat liver macrophages. Surprisingly, human C5a, which in other systems elicited stronger responses than C3a, did not increase glycogenolysis in perfused rat liver. Species incompatibilities within the experimental system had been supposed to be the reason. The current study supports this hypothesis: (1) In rat liver macrophages that had been maintained in primary culture for 72 h recombinant rat anaphylatoxin C5a in concentrations between 0.1 and 10 micrograms/ml increased the formation of thromboxane A2, prostaglandin D2, E2 and F2 alpha 6- to 12-fold over basal within 10 min. In contrast, human anaphylatoxin C5a did not increase prostanoid formation in rat Kupffer cells. (2) The increase in prostanoid formation by recombinant rat C5a was specific. It was inhibited by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody. (3) In co-cultures of rat hepatocytes and rat Kupffer cells but not in hepatocyte mono-cultures recombinant rat C5a increased glycogen phosphorylase activity 3-fold over basal. This effect was inhibited by incubation of the co-cultures with 500 microM acetylsalicyclic acid. Thus, C5a generated either locally in the liver or systemically e.g. in the course of sepsis, may increase hepatic glycogenolysis by a prostanoid-mediated intercellular communication between Kupffer cells and hepatocytes.

C3a activates reactive oxygen radical species production and intracellular calcium transients in human eosinophils

Whereas C5a is a well-established potent activator of eosinophils, the functional role of C3a in the activation of eosinophils is, so far, poorly understood. Here, the activation of human eosinophils stimulated with C3a was analyzed and compared to C5a activation. Flow-cytometrical measurements revealed that stimulation of eosinophils by C3a resulted in a transient elevation of the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the production of reactive oxygen radical species (ROS) of eosinophils after C3a and C5a stimulation was measured by lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence and quantified by superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C. Half maximal and maximal ROS production in response to C3a was observed at 50 ng/ml and 1000 ng/ml, respectively, whereas C3a-desArg was inactive. To ensure that C3a stimulation was not caused by contamination with C5a, monoclonal antibodies were used to demonstrate the specificity of C3a. The effect of C3a was completely abolished in the presence of monovalent antigen-binding fragments of a functionally blocking anti-C3a monoclonal antibody. In addition, blockade of the C5a receptor by the monoclonal anti-C5a receptor antibody S5/1 totally inhibited the C5a-evoked ROS production, whereas the C3a response in the presence of S5/1 was unaffected. Finally, desensitization experiments revealed a homologous desensitization of C3a after restimulation with C3a. In contrast, no cross-desensitization was observed upon stimulation with C5a. Furthermore, the C3a- and C5a-induced production of ROS of eosinophils was totally inhibited by pertussis toxin, indicating the involvement of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (Gi-proteins). In summary, these results demonstrate that C3a is a potent activator for eosinophils initiating transient [Ca2+]i changes and production of reactive oxygen species. C3a therefore may play a part in the pathophysiology of diseases with eosinophil and complement activation.

Glycogenolytic and antiglycogenolytic prostaglandin E2 actions in rat hepatocytes are mediated via different signalling pathways

Prostaglandin E2 has been reported both to stimulate glycogen-phosphorylase activity (glycogenolytic effect) and to inhibit the glucagon-stimulated glycogen-phosphorylase activity (antiglycogenolytic effect) in rat hepatocytes. It was the purpose of this study to resolve this apparent contradiction and to characterize the signalling pathways and receptor subtypes involved in the opposing prostaglandin E2 actions. Prostaglandin E2 (10 microM) increased glucose output, glycogen-phosphorylase activity and inositol trisphosphate formation in hepatocyte cell culture and/or suspension. In the same systems, prostaglandin E2 decreased the glucagon-stimulated (1 nM) glycogen-phosphorylase activity and cAMP formation. The signalling pathway leading to the glycogenolytic effect of PGE2 was interrupted by incubation of the hepatocytes with 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 nM) for 10 min, while the antiglycogenolytic effect of prostaglandin E2 was not attenuated. The signalling pathway leading to the antiglycogenolytic effect of prostaglandin E2 was interrupted by an incubation of cultured hepatocytes with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml) for 18 h, whereas the glycogenolytic effect of prostaglandin E2 was enhanced. The EP1/EP3 prostaglandin-E2-receptor-specific prostaglandin E2 analogue Sulproston had a stronger glycogenolytic potency than the EP3 prostaglandin-E2-receptor-specific prostaglandin E2 analogue Misoprostol. The antiglycogenolytic potency of both agonists was equal. It is concluded that the glycogenolytic and the antiglycogenolytic effects of prostaglandin E2 are mediated via different signalling pathways in hepatocytes possibly involving EP1 and EP3 prostaglandin E2 receptors, respectively.

Inhibition by the protein kinase C activator 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate of the prostaglandin F2 alpha-mediated and noradrenaline-mediated but not glucagon-mediated activation of glycogenolysis in rat liver

In perfused rat livers, infusion of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) or noradrenaline increased glucose and lactate output and reduced flow. Glucagon increased glucose output and decreased lactate output without influence on flow. Infusion of phorbol 13-myristate 14-acetate (PMA) for 20 min prior to these stimuli strongly inhibited the metabolic and hemodynamic effects of noradrenaline, reduced the metabolic actions of PGF2 alpha but did not alter the effects of glucagon. In isolated rat hepatocytes PGF2 alpha, noradrenaline and glucagon activated glycogen phosphorylase but only PGF2 alpha and noradrenaline increased intracellular inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3). The noradrenaline- or PGF2 alpha-elicited activation of glycogen phosphorylase and increase in InsP3 were largely reduced after preincubation of the cells for 10 min with PMA, whereas the glucagon-mediated enzyme activation was not affected. In contrast to PMA, the phorbol ester 4 alpha-phorbol 13,14-didecanoate, which does not activate protein kinase C, did not attenuate the PGF2 alpha- and noradrenaline-elicited stimulation of glucose output, glycogen phosphorylase and InsP3 formation. Stimulation of InsP3 formation by AlF4-, which activates phospholipase C independently of the receptor, was not attenuated by prior incubation with PMA. Plasma membranes purified from isolated hepatocytes had both a high-capacity, low-affinity and a low-capacity, high-affinity binding site for PGF2 alpha. The Kd of the high-capacity, low-affinity binding site was close to the concentration of PGF2 alpha that increased glycogen phosphorylase activity half-maximally. Binding to the high-capacity, low-affinity binding site was enhanced by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate (GTP[S]). This high-capacity, low-affinity site might thus represent the receptor. The Bmax and Kd of the high-capacity site, as well as the enhancement by GTP[S] of PGF2 alpha binding to this site, remained unaffected by PMA treatment. It is concluded that, in hepatocytes, activation of protein kinase C by PMA interrupted the InsP3-mediated signal pathway from PGF2 alpha via a PGF2 alpha receptor and phospholipase C to glycogen phosphorylase at a point distal of the receptor prior to phospholipase C.

Proteins separated from human IgG molecules

Immunoglobulin G binding proteins were separated from human IgG molecules using 1 N acetic acid followed by 5 M guanidinium chloride in 0.1 M acetic acid. The proteins thus obtained were heterogeneous as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and reverse-phase HPLC. The isolated proteins consisted of two types: the C3a and C4a complement fragments (anaphylatoxins) and immunoglobulin peptide chain fragments V kappa I and C gamma 3. Both anaphylatoxins immobilized on cellulose nitrate membranes could reassociate with intact IgG molecules. The ubiquitous presence of C3a in IgG preparations was demonstrated using monoclonal antibodies specific for C3a. Nearly all of the bound anaphylatoxin molecules were found in the Fab fragment. These findings suggest that IgG molecules can eliminate anaphylatoxins from the circulation, and thus prevent harmful effects due to these active complement components.

Characterization of prostaglandin-F2 alpha-binding sites on rat hepatocyte plasma membranes

Prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha has previously been shown to increase glucose output from perfused livers and isolated hepatocytes, where it stimulated glycogen phosphorylase via an inositol-trisphosphate-dependent signal pathway. In this study, PGF2 alpha binding sites on hepatocyte plasma membranes, that might represent the putative receptor, were characterized. Binding studies could not be performed with intact hepatocytes, because PGF2 alpha accumulated within the cells even at 4 degrees C. The intracellular accumulation was an order of magnitude higher than binding to plasma membranes. Purified hepatocyte plasma membranes had a high-affinity/low-capacity and a low-affinity/high-capacity binding site for PGF2 alpha. The respective binding constants for the high-affinity site were Kd = 3 nM and Bmax = 6 fmol/mg membrane protein, and for the low-affinity site Kd = 426 nM and Bmax = 245 fmol/mg membrane protein. Specific PGF2 alpha binding to the low-affinity site, but not to the high-affinity site, could be enhanced most potently by GTP[gamma S] followed by GDP[beta S] and GTP, but not by ATP[gamma S] or GMP. PGF2 alpha competed most potently with [3H]PGF2 alpha for specific binding to hepatocyte plasma membranes, followed by PGD2 and PGE2. Since the low-affinity PGF2 alpha-binding site had a Kd in the concentration range in which PG had previously been shown to be half-maximally active, and since this binding site showed a sensitivity to GTP, it is concluded that it might represent the receptor involved in the PGF2 alpha signal chain in hepatocytes. A biological function of the high-affinity site is currently not known.

Differential effects of human anaphylatoxin C3a on glucose output and flow in rat liver during orthograde and retrograde perfusion: the periportal scavenger cell hypothesis

1) During orthograde perfusion of rat liver human anaphylatoxin C3a caused an increase in glucose and lactate output and reduction of flow. These effects could be enhanced nearly twofold by co-infusion of the carboxypeptidase inhibitor MERGETPA, which reduced inactivation of C3a to C3adesArg. 2) During retrograde perfusion C3a caused a two- to threefold larger increase in glucose and lactate output and reduction of flow than in orthograde perfusions. These actions tended to be slightly enhanced by MERGETPA. 3) The elimination of C3a plus C3adesArg immunoreactivity during a single liver passage was around 67%, irrespective of the perfusion direction and the presence of the carboxypeptidase inhibitor MERGETPA; however, less C3adesArg and more intact C3a appeared in the perfusate in the presence of MERGETPA in orthograde and retrogade perfusions. It is concluded that rat liver inactivated human anaphylatoxin C3a by conversion to C3adesArg and moreover eliminated it by an additional process. The inactivation to C3adesArg seemed to be located predominantly in the proximal periportal region of the liver sinusoid, since C3a was less effective in orthograde perfusions, when C3a first passed the proximal periportal region before reaching the predominant mass of parenchyma as its site of action, than in retrograde perfusions, when it first passed the perivenous area. These data may be evidence for a periportal scavenger mechanism, by which the liver protects itself from systemically released mediators of inflammation that interfere with the local regulation of liver metabolism and hemodynamics.

Influence of SK&F 96148 on thromboxane-mediated responses in the airways of the cat

The effects of SK&F 96148, a thromboxane receptor blocking agent, on bronchoconstrictor responses were investigated in paralyzed, anesthetized, mechanically ventilated cats. I.v. injections of the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) mimics, U-46619 and U-44069, produced dose-related increases in transpulmonary pressure and lung resistance (RL) and decreases in dynamic compliance (Cdyn). After administration of SK&F 96148, 5 mg/kg i.v., bronchoconstrictor responses to U-46619 and U-44069 were reduced markedly, whereas airway responses to prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha, serotonin, PGD2, or the PGD2 metabolite, 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2, were not altered. The duration of action of SK&F 96148 was greater than 2 h, and the TXA2 receptor blockade was overcome when 10-fold larger doses of the TXA2 mimics were administered. Bronchoconstrictor responses to arachidonic acid, platelet-activating factor (PAF), endothelin-1, and E. coli endotoxin were blocked by SK&F 96148. The present data suggest that SK&F 96148 has selective thromboxane receptor blocking activity in the airways of the cat, and that bronchoconstrictor responses to endothelin-1, arachidonic acid, PAF, and E. coli endotoxin are mediated in part by the formation of TXA2.

Eicosanoid-mediated increase in glucose and lactate output as well as decrease and redistribution of flow by complement-activated rat serum in perfused rat liver

Rat serum, in which the complement system had been activated by incubation with zymosan, increased the glucose and lactate output, and reduced and redistributed the flow in isolated perfused rat liver clearly more than the control serum. Heat inactivation of the rat serum prior to zymosan incubation abolished this difference. Metabolic and hemodynamic alterations caused by the activated serum were dose dependent. They were almost completely inhibited by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin and by the thromboxane antagonist 4-[2-(4-chlorobenzesulfonamide)-ethyl]-benzene-acetic acid (BM 13505), but clearly less efficiently by the 5'-lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid and the leukotriene antagonist N-(3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenoxy)-propoxy]-4-chlorine-6-meth yl- phenyl)-1H-tetrazole-5-carboxamide sodium salt (CGP 35949 B). Control serum and to a much larger extent complement-activated serum, caused an overflow of thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha into the hepatic vein. It is concluded that the activated complement system of rat serum can influence liver metabolism and hemodynamics via release from nonparenchymal liver cells of thromboxane and prostaglandins, the latter of which can in turn act on the parenchymal cells.

Hepatic circulation: potential for therapeutic intervention

In recent years, knowledge of the physiology and pharmacology of hepatic circulation has grown rapidly. Liver microcirculation has a unique design that allows very efficient exchange processes between plasma and liver cells, even when severe constraints are imposed upon the system, i.e. in stressful situations. Furthermore, it has been recognized recently that sinusoids and their associated cells can no longer be considered only as passive structures ensuring the dispersion of molecules in the liver, but represent a very sophisticated network that protects and regulates parenchymal cells through a variety of mediators. Finally, vascular abnormalities are a prominent feature of a number of liver pathological processes, including cirrhosis and liver cell necrosis whether induced by alcohol, ischemia, endotoxins, virus or chemicals. Although it is not clear whether vascular lesions can be the primary events that lead to hepatocyte injury, the main interest of these findings is that liver microcirculation could represent a potential target for drug action in these conditions.

Direct activation by prostaglandin F2 alpha but not thromboxane A2 of glycogenolysis via an increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in rat hepatocytes

In rat liver prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), released from non-parenchymal cells, have been implicated as mediators of the enhancement of glucose and lactate output from parenchymal cells caused by sympathetic nerve stimulation [Iwai, M. et al. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 175, 45-50]. In isolated rat hepatocytes PGF2 alpha, of which 75% were degraded within 10 min, but not the TXA2 analogue U46619 increased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), glycogen phosphorylase a activity and glucose output like noradrenaline and vasopressin; cyclic AMP remained unaltered. The maximal increase in IP3 was reached within 20 s and in phosphorylase activity as well as glucose release within 1 min. The results indicate that only PGF2 alpha but not TXA2 can play a role as a direct mediator of the sympathetic metabolic nerve actions in rat liver and that hepatocytes contain also stimulatory prostaglandin receptors linked to phospholipase C in addition to the inhibitory receptors linked to adenylate cyclase known thus far.