Effect of Hemorrhage on Hepatic Potassium Movements. ∗

Abstract

Summary

The immediate effect of a sudden, acute, moderate-sized hemorrhage on hepatic and extrahepatic splanchnic movements of potassium and sodium has been studied in the unanesthetized dog. The net rates of hepatic and extrahepatic splanchnic uptake or output of potassium and sodium were calculated from arterial, portal and hepatic venous plasma concentrations and hepatic plasma flow measurements. An increase in plasma potassium concentration was established in the hepatic vein and portal vein 2 minutes and in the splenic artery 3 minutes after the hemorrhage. A significant increase in net hepatic potassium output was found in the post hemorrhagic period after 3-6 minutes, and a transient increase in the output of potassium from the extrahepatic splanchnic area was suggested. No consistent changes were found in the plasma concentrations of sodium after hemorrhage, but a transient hepatic uptake of sodium in the post-hemorrhagic period was suggested. Likewise a transient increase was found in the hepatic plasma flow after hemorrhage. These changes found after hemorrhage are similar to changes found after an injection of epinephrine. This suggests that the effect of an acute hemorrhage on hepatic potassium movements may result from epinephrine action.