Galactose removal kinetics during hypoxia in perfused pig liver: reduction of Vmax, but not of intrinsic clearance Vmax/Km.

The galactose elimination kinetics was examined in five perfused pig livers of 1.2 kg during hypoxia induced by administration of 2, 4 or 7% oxygen in the oxygenator instead of 20% as used in nine control experiments, previously published. Galactose was given as four to five successive constant infusion rates so that successive steady-state period with galactose concentrations from 0.04 to 5 mmol l-1 were obtained in each experiment. From the relationship between the calculated elimination rate and the perfusate galactose concentration, values of the maximal elimination rate Vmax and the half saturation concentration Km were calculated. Both Vmax and Km were reduced by hypoxia: the lower the oxygen supply, the greater the reduction. Vmax was about 0.08 mmol min-1 kg-1 liver at 2% oxygen and about 0.18 mmol min-1 kg-1 liver at 4-7% oxygen; both being significantly lower than the value of 0.43 mmol min-1 kg-1 liver at 20% oxygen. Km was about 0.07 mmol l-1 at 2% oxygen and 0.13 mmol l-1 at 7% oxygen; both significantly lower than the value of 0.23 mmol l-1 at 20% oxygen. A nearly parallel reduction of liver ATP concentration and galactose Vmax indicates that the galactose Vmax may reflect the phosphorylation capacity of the liver cells. The Vmax/Km ratio (intrinsic hepatic clearance) was unchanged during hypoxia.