Effects of concanavalin A on the isolated perfused rat liver.

In the isolated perfused liver, Concanavalin A provoked a significant decrease of flow rate within 2 to 4 min. which was dose-dependent and could be partly inhibited by specific antagonists. Furthermore it was found that the lectin led to a decline of the respiration, an increase of the lactate/pyruvate ratio and a release of the transaminases into the medium. It was suggested that Concanavalin A displaced endothelial cells in the liver capillaries, which occluded the vessels and decreased the flow rate. The decreased respiration was considered to be secondary to this effect.