Glycogen Metabolism of Guinea - Pig Liver in Experimental Bagassosis

Biochemical investigations have revealed various metabolic disturbances in guinea-pig lungs, associated with experimental bagassosis (Singh, Mitra, Venkitasubramanian & Viswanathan, 1960; Singh, Venkitasubramanian & Viswanathan, 1961). Singh, Venkitasubramanian & Viswanathan (1962) noted changes in the cellular constituents of guinea-pig lungs in experimental bagassosis: these included a remarkable increase in the glycogen content. These findings indicate abnormal carbohydrate metabolism in the lungs of guinea pigs exposed to bagasse dust. In view of the fundamental importance of the liver in carbohydrate metabolism of the body, hepatic glycogen metabolism was investigated. To evaluate the biochemical response of guineapig liver to experimental bagassosis, estimations of cellular constituents of liver such as protein, glycogen and water were carried out. Also, certain enzymes of glycogenolysis and glycolysis, namely a-glucan phosphorylase (oc-1-÷4-glucan orthophosphate glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.1), glucose 6phosphatase (D-glucose 6-phosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.9), glucose phosphate isomerase (D-glucose 6-phosphate ketol-isomerase, EC 5.3.1.9) and aldolase (ketose 1-phosphate aldehyde-lyase, EC 4.1.2.7), of livers of guinea pigs exposed to bagasse dust were assayed; similar determinations