Changes in hepatic energy metabolism in experimental acute pancreatitis.

The changes in the cellular concentrations of ATP, ADP, AMP and oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria in the liver were investigated experimentally in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP). The energy charge (ATP + 1/2ADP)/(ATP+ ADP+ AMP) of the liver decreased from 0.866 to 0.806 (P < 0.05) at 24 hours after onset of AP, and continuously decreased to 0.769 (P < 0.01) at 48 hours. On the other hand, the mitochondrial phosphorylative activity increased rapidly to 130% and 157% in the controls at 12 hours and 24 hours respectively and then decreased rapidly at 48 hours. The blood ketone body ratios were paralleled to the hepatic energy charge level in AP rats. These findings suggest that the nature of the derangement of the hepatic energy metabolism initiated by AP is that the effects of mitochondria damage result in a significant decrease in liver energy charge level, leading ultimately to hepatocellular impairment, and the measurement of the blood ketone body ratio is useful in evaluating the energy status of the liver in AP patients.