The contribution of ATP turnover by the Na+/K+-ATPase to the rate of respiration of hepatocytes. Effects of thyroid status and fatty acids.

In less than 1 min ouabain maximally inhibits oxygen consumption due to gramicidin-induced ATP turnover by the Na+/K+-ATPase in hepatocytes. Ouabain rapidly inhibits respiration on palmitate or glucose by only 6-10% indicating that the Na+/K+-ATPase plays a minor role in cell ATP turnover. 29% of the extra oxygen consumption of hepatocytes isolated from hyperthyroid rats was inhibited by ouabain showing that the Na+/K+-ATPase is responsible for some but not the majority of the stimulation of respiration induced by thyroid hormone.