Experimental studies on hepatic circulation: effects of drugs on blood flows in liver tissue and portal vein of the cats

The effects of some drugs on the hepatic circulation were examined by thermoelectrical and electromagnetic methods under pentobarbital-anesthesia in normal and CCl4-pretreated cats. The following results were obtained. 1. Both adrenergic alpha and beta receptor functions were involved in the regulation of the hepatic circulation of normal cats. 2. Three calcium blockers (nifedipine, nicardipine, diltiazem) had different potencies in increasing the hepatic blood flow of normal cats. 3. The isolated veins including portal vein showed the regional difference in the responsiveness to calcium blockers. 4. In CCl4-pretreated cats, adrenergic alpha receptor function was dominant in the control of hepatic circulation and diltiazem raised portal venous pressure.