Abstract
Two maxima of corticosterone concentration in the serum of 2/3 hepatectomized male
rats were observed. The first peak appeared immediately after the operation (controls:
17.8 (µg/100 ml serum, peak: 57.25 ± 6.9 µg per 100 ml serum) a second peak (38.0
± 2.4 µg/100 ml serum) 15-18 hours later.
The half life of this hormone was found to be 4.5 hr, one hour longer than in shamoperated
animals.
The first maximum of corticosterone in the serum was followed 3 hr later by an elevated
activity of the tyrosine transaminase in the liver. After a second maximum of serum
corticosterone concentration, a second stimulation of tyrosine transaminase in the
liver was observed, again with a retardation of 3 hr.
The conclusion is drawn that endogenous corticosterone molecules are able to stimulate
the activity of tyrosine transaminase in rat liver.
Key words
Liver Regeneration - Serum Corticosterone - Tyrosine Transaminase - Rats
