Suppression of afferent activity of the hepatic vagus nerve by anomers of D-glucose.

Afferent discharges were recorded from the nerve filaments dissected from the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve in the guinea pig. Recordings were made in isolated and perfused liver preparations and in vivo to study the effect of alpha and beta anomers of D-glucose on the afferent discharge rate. Infusions of these anomers (30 mg or 50 mg dissolved in 10 ml glucose-free Ringer solution) into the portal vein in perfused liver preparations and intraportal injections of these anomers (50 mg/kg dissolved in 0.2 ml saline) in vivo partially suppressed the afferent activity. However, the effect of suppression by the beta anomer was stronger than that of the alpha anomer. Results indicate the existence of anomeric stereospecificity of D-glucose action to the hepatic "glucose sensors."