Failure of glucagon to induce hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in endotoxic shock.

We have determined that one reason for diminished PEPCK activity during endotoxemia is the inhibition of glucocorticoid action in hepatic cells. Since glucocorticoid and glucagon hormones act cooperatively to regulate the expression of PEPCK mRNA, we examined whether endotoxin also inhibits the action of glucagon to induce this enzyme. Treated mice were injected intraperitoneally with endotoxin and glucose after a 24 hr fast and given ad libitum access to food and water. Control mice received the same amount of glucose and access to food and water. All mice were given intravenous injections of glucagon for 3 consecutive hours before euthanasia. Blood was analyzed for glucose concentrations, and the liver was assayed for PEPCK activity. Refeeding control mice after a 24 hr fast increased plasma glucose levels to 173 +/- 14 mg/dL and decreased PEPCK activity to 20.6 +/- 2.0 units/mg liver. Subsequent administration of exogenous glucagon further increased plasma glucose to 224 +/- 17 mg/dL and hepatic PEPCK to 31.4 +/- 1.4 units/mg liver. Refeeding endotoxin-treated mice after a 24 hr fast slightly increased plasma glucose levels to 75 +/- 4 mg/dL but had no effect on PEPCK activity. Subsequent glucagon administration had no effect on plasma glucose levels (75 +/- 1.0 mg/dL) or hepatic PEPCK activities (18.8 +/- 5.0 units/mg liver). Therefore, glucagon action to increase liver PEPCK activity and plasma glucose levels was inhibited in endotoxin-treated mice.