MECHANISM OF ZONE-SPECIFIC HEPATIC STEATOSIS CAUSED BY VALPROATE - INHIBITION OF KETOGENESIS IN PERIPORTAL REGIONS OF THE LIVER LOBULE

  • 1 December 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (6) , 520-525
Abstract
Microvacuolar steatosis in periportal regions of the liver lobule was produced by injection of fasted rats with a single dose of valproate (500 mg/kg, subcutaneously). In livers perfused in the absence of exogenous fatty acids, ketone body (acetoacetate + .beta.-hydroxybutyrate) production was decreased by valproate (500 .mu.M) maximally by 67%. Concomitantly, NADH fluorescence detected from the liver surface declined about 30% with a time course similar to that of the inhibition of ketogenesis. Valproate had little effect on oxygen uptake but caused an elevation of the steady state level of catalase-H2O2 corresponding to an increase in H2O2 production of about 6 .mu.mol/g/hr. In addition, valproate decreased the rate of oxidized glutathione release into bile by 45% but had little effect on bile flow. In the presence of oleate (250 .mu.m), valproate inhibited ketone body production by 46% and decreased NADH fluorescence by 39%. Rates of ketogenesis in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule were calculated from changes in NADH fluorescence detected with micro-light guides during infusion of valproate in the presence and absence of fatty acids. In the absence of valproate, endogenous ketogenesis was about 35 .mu.mol/g/hr in both regions of the liver lobule. In the presence of oleate, however, rates were significantly higher in pericentral regions (89 .+-. 2 .mu.mol/g/hr) than in periportal areas (71 .+-. 3 .mu.mol/g/hr). In the presence of added oleate, valproate decreased rates of ketogenesis to 34 .+-. 4 .mu.mol/g/hr in periportal regions and 51 .+-. 3 .mu.mol/g/hr in pericentral areas. We conclude, therefore, that fat accumulates in periportal areas because valproate depresses ketogenesis to a greater extent in hepatocytes localized around the portal triad.