Parameters of Adenylate Pool as Predictors of Energy Metabolism Disturbances in Hepatocytes during Hypoxia

We studied the dependence of various parameters of adenylate pool in hepatocytes on oxygen concentrations. Isolated cells responded to a decrease in oxygen content in their microenvironment by changes in components of the adenine nucleotide system, which attested to phasic nature of this process. Three ranges of oxygen concentrations differing by the type of changes in the parameters of adenylate pool were distinguished: steady-state range of these parameters; primary changes in the adenylate pool aimed at minimization of energy losses (compensatory stage characteristic of the initial stages of hypoxia); and linear drop of ATP content paralleled by decompensation of the regulatory mechanisms of ATP formation and adenine nucleotide degradation. Hence, parameters of the adenylate pool can serve as predictors of different stages of hypoxia. Differences in the parameters of adenylate pool depending on the level of O₂ in hepatocytes of rats highly and low-resistant to hypoxia indicate that energy metabolism is a mechanism involved in the formation of individual cell resistance to oxygen deficiency. These data suggest that suspension of isolated hepatocytes as an adequate cellular model for experimental studies of the effects of hypoxia on energy metabolism and functional activity of the cell.