Effect of short lasting hypoxia on the metabolic function of the perfused pig liver. Comparison of ischaemic and hypoxaemic hypoxia.

The effects of hypoxaemia and ischaemia were compared in the perfused pig liver. Decreased hepatic oxygen uptake, galactose elimination, ATP phosphorylation and increased lactate output occurred when the oxygen supply was diminished below 55% of the mean of controls. Below the control limits for oxygen uptake and oxidative phosphorylation, the change in the above variables were correlated to the degree of hypoxia, with no quantitative differences regarding ischaemic or hypoxaemic hypoxia. Galactose elimination was correlated to the ATP concentration (r = 0.81). After 80 min of hypoxia almost complete recovery was seen. It can be inferred from the data that other factors than oxygen diffusion into the liver cells may limit oxidative metabolism. Long and severe hypoxia may be required before irreversible cellular damage occurs in the liver.