title: Energy metabolism in liver of anoxia-tolerant turtle species (Pseudemys scripta): a model for studying hepatic tolerance to cold hypoxia.
abstract: We have studied biochemical markers of energy metabolism and glycolysis by enzyme analyses and 1H NMR spectroscopy in livers of the freshwater turtle, Pseudemys scripta, after vascular flush and cold storage. Values for hepatic ATP content and energy charge remained unchanged for 24 h and showed only small declines between 24 and 48 h of cold hypoxia. Lactate and glucose levels increased over the 48-h period, demonstrating, respectively, progressive glycolysis and glycogenolysis. These observations are in contrast to those made in mammalian liver, where ATP levels fall precipitously during the first few hours of cold hypoxia and glycolysis is inhibited. Additional changes suggested by 1H NMR spectroscopy may indicate a role for other metabolic pathways. Isolated organs of species such as Pseudemys may be useful models for studying the biochemical basis of resistance to cold hypoxic damage.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Churchill
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Busza
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Fuller
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006019:Glycolysis; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008112:Liver Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods; D014426:Turtles / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008112:Liver Glycogen; D019344:Lactic Acid; D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D005947:Glucose