Diurnal locomotor activity and oxidative metabolism of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in two models of hepatic insufficiency

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 212; no. 1; pp. 93 - 97
• Main Authors: Lopez, Laudino, Cimadevilla, Jose M., Aller, Maria A., Arias, Jaime, Nava, M.Paz, Arias, Jorge L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 15.08.2003; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight; Circadian rhythm; Cytochrome oxidase; Disease Models, Animal; Electron Transport Complex IV - metabolism; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Hepatic cirrhosis; Hepatic encephalopathy; Hepatic Encephalopathy - enzymology; Hepatic Encephalopathy - physiopathology; Hypertension, Portal - enzymology; Hypertension, Portal - physiopathology; Immunohistochemistry; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - chemically induced; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - complications; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - enzymology; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - physiopathology; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Motor Activity - physiology; Organ Size; Other diseases. Semiology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Suprachiasmatic nucleus; Suprachiasmatic Nucleus - cytology; Suprachiasmatic Nucleus - enzymology; Testis; Time Factors; Suprachiasmatic nucleus; Cytochrome oxidase; Circadian rhythm; Hepatic cirrhosis; Hepatic encephalopathy; Nervous system diseases; Pathophysiology; Rat; Rodentia; Hepatic disease; Diurnal variation; Metabolism; Cerebral disorder; Locomotion; Vertebrata; Liver failure; Mammalia; Animal; Encephalopathy; Central nervous system disease; Digestive diseases; Complication; Oxidation
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-510X(03)00105-9

Subjects with hepatic cirrhosis develop alterations of several rhythmic behavioural and biochemical patterns. Since most cirrhotic patients combine portal hypertension and hepatic impairment, our work aims to assess the extent to which rhythmical changes can be due to hepatic insufficiency or portal hypertension. This was done using two experimental models in rats, portacaval shunt model (PC) and portal hypertension by a triple stenosing ligature of the portal vein (PH). We assess diurnal locomotor activity and determine the oxidative metabolism of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) by histochemical determination of cytochrome oxidase (COX). The results show that animals with PC have altered diurnal locomotor rhythm compared to control and PH rats ( p<0.001). They also present lower COX activity in the SCN ( p<0.05). We conclude that rhythmic alterations are due to hepatic insufficiency and not to portal hypertension.