Abstract
Na, K-ATPase (NKA) is an important enzyme for the hepatic uptake of bile acids, a process thought to be immature in neonatal liver i.e. “physiologic cholestasis”. The development of NKA activity was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats: fetal 18-20 d, newborn 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 d, and adult. NKA activity was measured in both a crude homogenate (CH) and a plasma membrane (PM) fraction, using a system containing phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate kinase to prevent product inhibition by ADP (Alcoholism 8:390, Am J Phys 238:E38).
NKA activity in the PM fraction per gram liver was comparable to that of the CH. A similar, but less striking pattern was seen when activity was expressed per mg protein. Hepatic NKA activity shows a developmental pattern which has not reached adult levels by 14 d. The “physiologic cholestasis” of the human neonate may be due in part to insufficient Na, K-ATPase activity.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Duffy, L., Karl, P., Daum, F. et al. 642 HEPATIC NA, K-ATPASE DEVELOPMENT IN THE RAT: IMPLICATIONS FOR “PHYSIOLOGIC CHOLESTASIS”. Pediatr Res 19, 217 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00672
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00672
