Abstract
1. Liver tryptase activity (casein hydrolysis at pH 7.8) of rabbit treated with epinephrine through the systemic vein increases markedly, its hydrolysis amount becoming two times higher than that of those not treated. Such increased activity can be further activated in vitro in the presence of dialyzed albumin, manganese sulfate or the both.
2. Activity of ereptase (pepton hydrolysis at pH 7.8) and catheptase (casein, gelatin or pepton hydrolysis at pH 4.5) in animals so treated is higher than in those not treated. Increased activity of catheptase is further activated in vitro by cysteine.
3. Autolytic proteolysis eithr at pH 4.5 or 7.8 also increases markedly after epinephrine treatment.
4. Direct delivery through the portal vein to the liver exerts only a slight effect on the liver protease system. Insulin delivery produces slight augmentation of tryptase, but ereptase or catheptase remains un-affected. Spleen extirpation does not influence on epinephrine effect.
5. Histological examination of the liver delivered with epinephrine reveals only slight congestion of blood, this being in no relation to its protease activity.
6. Epinephrine or insulin delivery through either systemic or portal vein exerts no influence upon proteolysis of gastric mucosa or kidney.
7. Above augmentation phenomenon caused by epinephrine in liver protease system, it is suggested, relates to gluconeogenesis in liver.
This work was carried out by a grant for development of scientific researches, given from the Ministry of Education. M. Hayakawa
