Endocytosis and binding of asialoorosomucoid by hepatocytes from rats with jejunoileal bypass.

Rats with jejunoileal bypass were used to study the biological activity of the hepatic binding protein. Hepatocytes were prepared 11 weeks after surgical procedure, and presence of asialoorosomucoid in serum has been determined. Compared to control rat hepatocytes, endocytosis of [3H]asialoorosomucoid by bypassed rat hepatocytes was decreased by about 60%. This was due to a decreased number of total and surface receptors. In most sera, an accumulation of asialoorosomucoid was found. A reduction of protein synthesis or turnover could be considered.