Effect of Food on Liver Circulation in Conscious Dog

Abstract

Hepatic hemodynamics and the liver oxygen supply-uptake relationship, in response to eating, were investigated in a chronically catheterized conscious dog method. Portal venous pressure was significantly increased after eating, however was within the normal range reported previously. Hepatic venous pressure correlated well with portal venous pressure throughout the experiment, therefore, the pressure gradient of the portal system was unchanged. Hepatic venous oxygen content, correlated well with liver oxygen extraction, was unchanged after eating. Therefore, it is possible to assume that liver oxygen supply-uptake relationship is well maintained during digestion of food.