The effect of physiological temperature changes on the galactose elimination capacity of the isolated perfused pig liver

Summary. The effect of temperature changes (36–40°C) on the liver function was studied in the isolated perfused pig liver. When compared with control studies no effect was observed on lactate, glucose, bile flow, ATP and energy charge, and the recovery after the changes in temperature was complete. The only significant changes observed regarded the hepatic oxygen uptake and galactose elimination capacity. The increase of 1°C resulted in an increase in galactose elimination of 6%, corresponding to a Q10 of 1·98 (SEM 0·12) with an energy of activation of 48 kJ/mol (SEM 4·7). Oxygen uptake was linearly related to galactose elimination (1·75 mol for 1 mole change in galactose elimination). These results indicate that circulatory changes are unimportant within physiological temperature changes. It is concluded that temperature effects on galactose elimination are too small to warrant a correction when used as a clinical test of quantitative liver function.