BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON SHOCK IH. THE R6LE OF THE LIVER AND THE HEPATIC CIRCULATION IN THE METABOLIC CHANGES DURING HEMOR1LttAGIC SHOCK

I t has already been shown (1, 2) that certain of the changes in the metabolism of carbohydrate and protein and their degradation products during hemorrhagic shock are determined in part by alterations in hepatic function and in part by the effects of circulatory failure on peripheral tissue metabolism. In these reports it was suggested that the liver becomes less able to absorb and deaminate amino acids because of hepatic anoxia resulting from a failing oxygen supply to that organ. The experiments to be reported here are designed to show, first that there is a decreased oxygen supply to the liver during shock and that this decrease can be correlated with certain other changes occurring during shock, and secondly that diminishing the blood supply to the liver by surgical means will influence the ability of that organ to dispose of amino acids. The comparative rrles of the arterial and venous circulation to the liver for the maintenance of its function normally and during shock are also considered and quantitative data are presented concerning the liver's ability to withstand total anoxia.