Protein and energy metabolism in liver tissue following intravenous infusion of live E. coli bacteria in rats.

In the present study protein synthesis and energy level in liver tissue were studied in bacteremic rats following intravenous infusion of 8 +/- 4 X 10(9) live E. coli bacteria and in control animals receiving a corresponding infusion of sterile saline. For the study of protein synthesis, liver slices were incubated in a medium containing 14C-leucine and incorporation rate of amino acid into protein was determined. Hepatic concentrations of ATP, ADP, and AMP were measured and energy charge (EC) was calculated. Twenty-four hours after infusion of E. coli, hepatic protein synthesis rate was 55% higher than in control animals. Liver weight and hepatic protein content were also increased in bacteremic animals. There were no significant differences in adenine nucleotide levels or EC in liver tissue between control and bacteremic animals. Since impairment of various other liver functions has been reported during sepsis, the present results suggest that hepatic protein synthesis has high priority in this condition.