Combined Effects of Ethanol and pH-Change on Protein Synthesis in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

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Abstract
Rat liver parenchymal cells were isolated and incubated for 80 min in buffered salt solutions. 14C-Val incorporation in the presence of a high concentration of unlabeled Val (4.2 mM) was taken as a measure of protein synthesis. The pH dependence of the synthesis of cell and medium proteins was studied at pH values varying from 6.6-7.9. Maximum protein synthesis occurred close to the physiological pH value. Protein synthesis was reduced at lower and higher pH-values. Protein synthesis was inhibited by the addition of ethanol (30 mM). The relative inhibition caused by ethanol became more pronounced as the pH of the hepatocyte suspensions was lowered. The metabolism of ethanol resulted in lowering of the pH in cell suspensions. Depression of protein synthesis by ethanol was mediated by the fall in pH due to ethanol metabolism.