Effect of stimulation of hepatic nerves on hepatic O2 uptake and blood flow.

Acute denervation of the liver did not result in changes of oxygen uptake or hemodynamics in the intact liver of the cat. Stimulation of the hepatic nerves resulted in a marked reduction of vascular conductance of the hepatic artery and portal vein (intrahepatic) resulting in almost complete cessation of arterial flow and increased portal blood pressure. The hepatic artery showed a more complete escape from the neurogenic vasoconstriction than did the portal vein. During the stable "escape phase" oxygen delivery was 86% of control, but hepatic extraction of oxygen increased so that oxygen uptake was not altered from control values. The return of oxygen consumption to normal during nerve stimulation suggests that redistribution of hepatic blood flow did not occur. In spite of arterial and portal venous blood pressure changes and changes in gut conductance, oxygen extraction of the gut did not change.