Age dependence of rat liver function measurements.
Changes in the galactose elimination capacity, the capacity of urea-N synthesis and antipyrine clearance were studied in male Wistar rats at the age of 8, 20 and 44 weeks. Further, liver tissue concentrations of microsomal cytochrome P-450, microsomal protein and glutathione were measured. All liver function measurements increased from the age of 8 to 44 weeks when expressed in absolute values. In relation to body weight, these function measurements were unchanged or reduced from week 8 to week 20. At week 44, galactose elimination capacity and capacity of urea-N synthesis related to body weight were increased by 10% and 36%, respectively, and antipyrine plasma clearance was reduced to 50%. Liver tissue concentrations of microsomal cytochrome P-450 and microsomal protein increased with age when expressed in absolute values, but were unchanged per g liver, i.e., closely related to liver weight in the age range studied. Glutathione showed an increase of 35% from 8 to 44 weeks of age expressed per g liver. Careful age matching of control animals is important for experimental rat studies.
Fischer-Nielsen
A
A
Department of Medicine A, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Poulsen
H E
HE
Hansen
B A
BA
Tygstrup
N
N
Keiding
S
S
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000983:Antipyrine / Q000097:blood; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000032:analysis; D005690:Galactose / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000378:metabolism
D015262:Xenobiotics; D014508:Urea; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D005978:Glutathione; D000983:Antipyrine; D005690:Galactose