[Changes in hepatic energy metabolism in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis].

In this study, changes of hepatic cellular ATP, ADP, and AMP, concentrations and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation were investigated in rats with experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). It was found that energy change (ATP + 1/2 ADP)/(ATP + ADP + AMP) of the liver decreased from 0.866 to 0.806 (P less than 0.05) 24 h after ANP, and to 0.769 (P less than 0.01) at 48 h. On the other hand, mitochondrial phosphorylative activity increased to 130% and 157% over the control at 12 h and 24 h respectively, and then rapidly dropped to 62% of normal value at 48 h. Blood ketone body ratio was positively correlated with hepatic energy charge level in ANP. The authors came to the following conclusions that: (1) In ANP, mitochondrial function damage resulted in decreased hepatic energy charge, which, in turn, led to hepatocellular impairment; (2) the measurement of blood ketone body ratio was a reliable indicator by which to assess the energy status of the liver in ANP.