Adenylate energy charge and cytochrome a (+a3) in the cirrhotic rat liver.

In the cirrhotic rat liver induced by phenobarbitone and carbon tetrachloride, adenylate energy charge, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and respiratory enzyme concentrations were studied along with serum albumin concentrations. Cytochrome a (+a3) concentrations of the liver increased with the severity of cirrhosis and were negatively correlated with the ATP-synthesizing ability per unit of cytochrome a (+a3). These changes were associated with the decrease in hepatic energy charge. Such decreased energy charge may be responsible for the decreased serum albumin level in the cirrhotic rat. It is suggested that such falls in hepatic energy charge may be one of the most important factors contributing to the decreased functional reserve of cirrhotic patients.