Influence of Insulin on Lysosomal Activity and Urea Production in Isolated Parenchymal Cells from Rat Liver

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Abstract
Non-latent (free) activities of 2 lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase and .beta.-glucuronidase) and urea production were measured in purified rat liver parenchymal cells incubated in the presence and absence of insulin. Non-latent enzyme activity was measured by including 0.25 M sucrose in the assay mixtures to provide osmotic protection to the lysosomes. Total enzyme activity was estimated with Triton X-100 in the homogenates. Insulin inhibited ureogenesis and reduced non-latent lysosomal enzyme activity in the hepatocytes in vitro. The data support the idea that insulin inhibits autophagy in rat liver parenchymal cells. Such an effect of insulin may also explain the inhibitory action of insulin on urea production in the rat liver.