Stimulation of hepatic glycogenolysis by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) via cyclooxygenase products.

12-O-Tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulates glycogenolysis in perfused rat liver. The effect of TPA was blocked by indomethacin and bromophenacyl bromide. The effect of TPA on glucose output was transient in spite of the continuous presence of the phorbol ester in the perfusion medium. Addition of platelet activating factor (PAF) after the effect of TPA did not stimulate glycogenolysis. In contrast, vasopressin was able to stimulate glucose output under these conditions. Interestingly, as previously reported, PAF produced also transient stimulation of glycogenolysis; the addition of TPA after the effect of PAF had declined, was also unable to increase glucose output by the liver. It is suggested that both PAF and TPA stimulate hepatic metabolism through the generation of cyclooxygenase products.