Abstract
Summary
Consequences related to the metabolic requirements for growth of new tissues during fetal development and liver regeneration were studied with regard to: 1) activity of a transaminase enzyme, alanine-α-ketoglutarate transaminase; 2) growth of Walker carcinoma 256; and 3) response of the enzyme and the tumor to treatment with cortisol. The livers of pregnant or partially hepatectomized rats did not show an increase in alanine transaminase activity after administration of cortisol at doses which produced a significant response of this enzyme in normal control animals. The growth of the Walker carcinoma 256 in partially hepatectomized rats and pregnant animals was inhibited by 40% and 80%, rspectively. While liver regeneration in tumor-bearing animals was retarded by 50%, the growing tumor had no observable effect on fetal development. Alanine transaminase activity was below normal endogenous levels in both regenerating liver and liver from pregnant rats.
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