Changes in liver metabolites during forelimb regeneration in the adult newt, D. viridescens

Abstract

Quantitative extraction, histological, and histochemical procedures were used to investigate the effects of the stress of forelimb amputation on liver metabolites in the adult newt, D. viridescens. Results of these experiments showed that hepatic PAS responsive stores were depleted two hours through one week after amputation while protein decreased 24 hours -one week after amputation. There was no change i n hepatic lipid. Hepatic GLU 6-PDH and a-glucan phosphorylase activities increased almost immediately after limb amputation and did not return to normal until one week and two weeks later, respectively. These and previous experiments suggest a systemic response to forelimb amputation whereby liver metabolites may initially provide energy reserves for escape and survival and then contribute to the early phases of regeneration.